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.

ALMOST SUPER by Marion Jensen

The Baileys are superheroes. Family members get their powers on leap day after they turn 12 (or after they marry into the family). Rafter Bailey and his brother Benny are so stoked about getting their powers. But when the moment comes, their powers are lame. Now they are relegated to the motor pool and to staying in public places so they don't get trapped by a member of the evil Johnson family of supervillains who goes to their school - eighth grader, Juanita Johnson. But Rafter starts to notice that things don't add up about the lame powers and the Johnsons. Can he trust Juanita enough to share his suspicions and see if they can figure out what is really going on?

This was delightful!! Rafter is smart, looks out for his brother, and is willing to question the status quo in favor of getting to the truth. The kids lead the way for the adults and have a great adventure that sets up a series. This releases in January. I can't wait to get this into the hands of my students (and my son!).

5 out of 5 stars
No AR reading level yet - this book releases January 21st, 2014

* I received an e-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.

SUPER SCHNOZ AND THE GATES OF SMELL by Gary Urey (BLOG TOUR)

Andy Whiffler has a huge nose and a great sense of smell. For 11 years this has been something of a curse, but now it has led Andy to some new friends. When Andy discovers a plot to destroy their home town, the comic-loving kids become a crime-fighting team - "Super Schnoz and the Not-Right Brothers and Vivian." Can five kids save a town from a toxic-stink plot?

This was a fun book! I can already picture students at school who would love this one - a super hero story with a bit of a gross-factor. Great nose jokes - The school is James Durante Elementary School and the principal is named Cyrano. I think this will appeal to fans of Captain Underpants - or kids who think they have gotten a little old for Captain Underpants - as well as comic/superhero fans.

(I received an electronic review copy of this book from the publisher as part of the blog tour.)

3.5 out of 5 stars
There is no AR reading level at this time.

Come back to the blog at noon today for a Blog Tour post about Super Schnoz and the Gates of Smell. There's a great post from the author, Gary Urey, as well as details on how YOU might win a signed copy of the book. See you soon!

CHAPTER BOOK: Super by Matthew Cody

[A sequel to Powerless.]
Daniel and his friends survived their battle with The Shroud and, for the most part, are enjoying the freedom of using their powers again. But it seems they are letting down their guard too soon. A new kid in town is watching the supers very closely and suspiciously. Some Shroud-like creatures are attacking the heroes. And Daniel - the powerless one? He's starting to show powers.

This was a GREAT sequel! As I said in my review of Powerless, the premise of these stories is original and engaging. Great tie in to the first book, but not a re-hashing of the same old things. It's been a long time since I read Powerless, but I was able to get back into the rhythm of the story easily. Daniel is a great character who continues to wrestle with the secrets he holds and grows and matures through his triumphs and his mistakes. I can't wait to share this one with my students!

4.5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 5.0

Recommended for: fans of Powerless (in this case, it really helps to read the books in order), fans of superhero stories, fans of adventure stories

Cautions: One swear word, spoken in the heat of battle with the villain.

CHAPTER BOOK: Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities by Mike Jung

Vincent Wu and his best pals, Max and George, are the biggest Captain Stupendous fans in town. But they can't get any respect from the "popular" Captain Stupendous fans in town. But when Vincent's crush, Polly Winnicott-Lee, is rescued by Stupendous and Vincent's mom is kidnapped by the new supervillain in town, Vincent may find himself in a position to finally get some respect in the Captain Stupendous community. But when the moment comes, Vincent may not care about what the popular folks think.

This was a fun superhero story! There's a great twist early in the book that sets up the rest of the story. Vincent and Polly are great characters - honest, with real emotions about their circumstances - and the four main kids become a great team.

4 out of 5 stars
No AR level yet

Recommended for: Fans of superhero stories (like NERDS or Captain Nobody or Super, or Sidekicks).