Project Superhero

Gr 4–7—Jessi is excited to start eighth grade and when she discovers that her class will engage in a yearlong project centered on superheroes, her excitement only multiples. What follows is her diary of learning about superheroes and her own personal growth. Jessi decides that she will champion Batgirl in her class project and learn all about superhero characteristics like courage, perseverance, and determination. This leads her to write letters to famous figures—from comic book writers to Olympians to scientists. They reply to these letters, which end up in Jessi's journal. The eighth grader also learns about the science, nutrition, and even technology that can develop superhero characteristics in anyone. There is a lot to like in this hybrid novel, notably the lively illustrations by veteran animator Pearn, but it is ultimately a little too didactic. The work includes actual letters from real people inserted in the narrative. In principle, this is a fun and interesting element and the people Zehr has chosen to include are genuinely fascinating. But the real letters written to a fake character feel clunky and they slow the story. Jessi is an engaging protagonist, and learning more about girls and women in comics is a welcome contribution to the genre. Recommended for larger collections and those with highly circulating graphic novel collections.—Angie Manfredi, Los Alamos County Library System, NM