The Super Life of Ben Braver

Gr 4–6—Ben Braver's dad calls him "creative" and his mom says Ben is a "free spirt," but Ben thinks he's just a typical, boring 11-year-old boy. He's spending the summer at home watching old Batman reruns starring Adam West, reading comics, and dreaming of becoming a superhero. His whole life changes when he has a craving for a peanut butter cup. He sets off on his bike for the local gas station to buy the delicious treat and return home. But events result in a big detour when he hears someone crying for help. Though his intervention doesn't go well, he winds up getting selected to attend a school for kids with super abilities—that is, if the school doesn't find out he has no superpowers. Entertaining "zip-pop-go" action is divided into 53 brief chapters and accompanied by numerous black-and-white cartoon illustrations.