Parents' Guide to

Public School Superhero

By Barbara Lawrence, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Inner-city middle school tale is funny and compassionate.

Public School Superhero Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

age 8+

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (1 ):

What could be a run-of-the-mill middle school story takes on a deeper dimension when Kenny is stuck teaching one of the bullies to play chess as a consequence for stealing. During their afternoons together, Kenny gets a glimpse into Ray-Ray's sad life and gains a more mature understanding of why his classmate acts the way he does.

Kenny's grandma is a strong positive influence in his life, along with Principal Yetty; the history of the civil rights movement embodied in these two powerful women. Cory Thomas' action-packed cartoons of Kenny's superhero alter ego Stainlezz Steel provide an insight into the fantasy world of a powerless middle school student.

Book Details

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