THE QUANTUM LEAGUE: SPELL ROBBERS by Matthew J. Kirby

Ben can use his mind and imagination to create fire balls and miniature storm clouds that actually produce rain. When his teacher is kidnapped, along with a dangerous piece of equipment she's invented, The Quantum League rescues Ben and invites him to join. Things aren't what they seem with the League - or with Ben himself. But no matter who he decides to trust, Ben is in for a wild ride.

The cover shows three kids but the story is really about Ben - Ben and his powers, Ben and his family, Ben and the League. And Ben is on a fascinating journey. Everything ties together but leaves the reader wanting more. And that is good because this is the first book in a series. I don't really understand the "Spell Robbers" title. This is really a super hero/super powers story (and it might just get kids interested in learning more about quantum physics). It reminded me of the book, The Hypnotists, but my students focused on the fact that Ben looks like Percy Jackson. As I closed the book and started telling my husband about it, my son quietly slipped the book from my lap and started reading. He was three chapters in before I realized what he had done. It obviously captured his attention and imagination like it did mine.

4.5 out of 5 stars
This does not have an AR reading level yet.

SIDEKICKED by John David Anderson

Drew is a sidekick without a Super. He's The Sensationalist. His five senses are amped up to the extreme. He can smell what you had for breakfast, or find a friend by the sound of her footsteps, no matter where she is in the school building. And technically, he does have a Super - The Titan. But Titan retired ages ago and no one knows where he is. He's supposed to come to the aid of his sidekick if Drew is ever in trouble, but apparently hanging over a swimming pool of acid does not count because The Titan never showed up. Drew had to be rescued by someone else's Super.

When a presumed-dead super villain returns to the city and Supers get kidnapped and all the side kicks in Drew's training group are attacked, things look pretty dire. Can the last Super - The Fox - save them? Will The Titan finally come out of retirement when the city truly needs him?

This was a great superhero story - I love stories about superheroes!! Drew has a great heart and he's a good friend and he wants to make a difference. But his friends have some cool powers, and Drew wonders where he really fits in. The story really wrestles with the idea of good and evil, intentions, choices and revenge. There's lots to talk about with this book in a class setting or a book club. There's going to be a "companion" novel called Minion releasing June 24th that is already on my wishlist - there's a picture posted below. I can't wait to read it!

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 5.4

KUNG POW CHICKEN: LET'S GET CRACKING! by Cyndi Marko

* I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for free in the hope that I would review it honestly on my blog. Regardless, I only review books I enjoyed. I don’t believe in passing on negative reviews. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Gordon the chicken (a second grader) and his little brother Benny fell in a vat of toxic sludge and became superheroes - Kung Pow Chicken and Egg Drop. At the Fall Festival, someone is selling weird cookies that make everyone's feathers fall out! Kung Pow Chicken notices a little old lady selling itchy sweaters to all the naked chickens, and she is making a killing. Something is not right!

This was cute, colorful and fun! This pokes fun at some of the superhero staples like toxic sludge and leotards. This is a fun, simple mystery. My students will love this! This is a new piece in the Branches line of books by Scholastic that targets the earliest readers. There are more books planned for the series - they are pictured below. Book 2 releases in March and book 3 comes out in June.

STEELHEART by Brandon Sanderson

Ten years ago, the Epics were still something of a mystery. Granted superpowers by something called Calamity, it was still unclear if those powers would create superheroes or supervillains.  Ten years ago, David stopped wondering which it would be when he watched the Epic, Steelheart, kill his father. That day, eight-year-old David lost his father's hope that heroes would rise up to fight the Epics. That day was the start of David's search for vengeance against Steelheart. In the present, David is hoping to join The Reckoners - a shadowy group that kills Epics. They could be just what he needs to finally get justice for his father. And David could be just what the Reckoners need, too, because he has seen the "invulnerable" Steelheart bleed.

This was fantastic! This could have been a really dark, depressing story, but it wasn't. The world building is excellent and well-thought out. This is a great twist on the superhero genre. The characters are interesting and likable - David is smart and intuitive, but also awkward around girls like a teenager who has been on his own and living in tunnels under the city for years. The Epics are original - there are tiers of power levels, hidden weaknesses to find and exploit. My copy is a "special" one from Barnes and Noble that includes an annotated chapter with the author's notes, which was also very cool. I found out that there's a short "book 1.5" available for e-readers (called Mitosis, pictured below) and that book two, Firefight, will be out in the fall of this year. I am ready to pre-order book 2 as soon as I can! You can go to the author's website to read sample chapters or watch the book trailer.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Cautions: I was happy to see that the author made up some words for the moments when the characters would swear - it fit with the "otherworldly" setting and feel of the story while also making the book accessible for a large group of readers. The story is violent at moments - the Epics are pretty nasty beasts and The Reckoners are trying to kill them. But the violence is not graphic, in my opinion. I think this book would appeal to adult and teen readers, both.