Common Sense Media Review
By Blair Jackson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Superheroes vs. supervillains in super-funny tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ALMOST SUPER takes place in the fictional town of Split Rock, where a family of superheroes, the Baileys, have long dedicated themselves to stopping the foul misdeeds of their archenemies: "those vile, evil, dirty, rotten supervillains -- the Johnsons!" Every leap year day for generations, Bailey (and Johnson) children who have turned 12 since the preceding leap year miraculously receive their specialized superpower, such as flying, invisibility, elasticity, or super speed. But when the big moment comes for brothers Rafter and Benny Bailey, their powers are tremendously disappointing and embarrassing: Rafter can light matches on polyester, and Bennie can transform his "innie" belly button to an "outie." How can they be expected to aid in the family fight against the Johnsons, especially after they learn that Rafter's classmate, Juanita Johnson, appears to have become a "Super-super," with a multitude of powers? Over time and after several tense encounters, the Bailey boys learn that Juanita is not what she seems to be, and the three kids secretly join forces to battle an unexpected, sinister evil.
Is It Any Good?
Almost Super is a comical story that will no doubt remind some readers of the animated film The Incredibles. It's narrated by 13-year-old would-be superhero Rafter Bailey, and first-time author Marion Jensen does an outstanding job getting the reader into the head of his noble but insecure teen protagonist. The book veers smoothly back and forth between silly situations and genuinely exciting action, but the overall tone is light and nonthreatening. Rafter's matter-of-fact descriptions of his eccentric family members and their powers are a hoot, and he unravels the mysteries at the core of the story in a funny, lively, engrossing way. It should be a relatively easy read for most kids. If there's a downside, it's that the story's not completely resolved by the end of the book, so there better be a sequel!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about superpowers. Do you think it would be fun to live in a family in which every person had a different power?
Why are books, movies, and comics about superheroes so popular? Why do you think both kids and adults are so fascinated by them?
If you could have only one superpower, what would it be and why?
Book Details
- Author: Marion Jensen
- Genre: Humor
- Topics: Superheroes , Adventures , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harper
- Publication date: February 24, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 256
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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