Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl discovers superpowers in fun, sensitive novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When ELLIE ENGLE SAVES HERSELF begins, 12-year-old Ellie -- a fan of superhero comics -- and her best friend, Abby -- a fan of a fashionable YouTube influencer -- are excited but nervous about starting middle school. While Ellie is sleeping over at Abby's house, there's an earthquake, after which Ellie discovers that she can bring dead plants and animals back to life. When a video of her using her powers goes viral, Ellie's life is suddenly very public. How will her new power and fame affect Ellie's relationships at home and at school? Can she save herself from a life she never asked for?
Is It Any Good?
This sensitive book with a big heart fills a gap. In Ellie Engle Saves Herself, author Leah Johnson presents a type of queer character who isn't seen often: a young girl, just on the cusp of puberty, who recognizes that she's interested in girls (specifically, her best friend) and not boys. This is a great story to hand to questioning kids who aren't ready for books about coming out or first sexual experiences. Johnson seamlessly blends this situation with familiar middle school concerns like childhood friends growing apart and divorce. Bottom line? It's a fun read about a nerdy comic book fan who becomes a superhero in her own right.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about pet loss in Ellie Engle Saves Herself. Have you ever lost a pet? How did you mourn?
Popularity is a major theme of Ellie Engle Saves Herself. What does it mean to be popular? Do you think being popular is important? Why, or why not?
How does empathy lead the main character to become more humble and choose to cultivate self-control?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Humility , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date : May 2, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 277
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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