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Almost Super
Common Sense says
- Marion Jensen
- Humor
- 2014
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Almost Super is a light and funny book about two warring superhero families -- one noble, the other villainous -- and what happens when the three newest members (two "good" Bailey brothers, ages 12 and 13, and one "evil" Johnson girl, 13) learn that the powers they've been given are all but worthless. Going against generations of indoctrination about the families' hatred of each other, the three kids must battle a mutual enemy together. There are mildly violent situations throughout and comic mayhem as the kids' superhero relatives unleash their sometimes unusual powers on each other. But no one ever seems to get really hurt, and much of the hatred between families seems to be bluster. There are menacing chases and some fighting (including tense clashes that pit adults against kids), explosions, and at least one bloody nose, but it's all fairly mild stuff. It's more silly than serious, and, as superhero tales go, this is more in the spirit of the The Incredibles than The Avengers. And it's comically narrated by the older Bailey brother.
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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, Misfits and Underdogs
- 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
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.