It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… a flying pickle? Or wait, it’s a crime-fighting cafeteria worker? No, I’m mistaken — it’s clearly a kid with technologically-endowed braces. Or is it Captain Nobody?
Given this booklist, it could be any of the above! Because these aren’t books about legends like Superman, Spiderman, or Wonder Woman; these are stories of superheroes… of sorts. From a sixth-grader who has a run-in with space plasma to a kid who’s the only “normal” person in Superopolis, meet these unconventional superheroes (in no particular order):
- Magic Pickle (graphic novel series) by Scott Morse (Karen’s pick)
- Powerless by Matthew Cody (Nancy’s pick)
- NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society by Michael Buckley
- Captain Nobody by Dean Pitchford
- Shredderman series by Wendelin van Draanen
- Lunch Lady series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
- The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy series by William Boniface
- Melvin Beederman Superhero series by Greg Trine and illustrated by Rhode Montijo
- Hero by Mike Lupica
- Archvillain by Barry Lyga
(Also, here’s a printable version of our Superheroes (Kinda) booklist, for you to take to the library or bookstore — or just use for scratch paper as you sketch out the power-boosting machine that will turn you into a genuine superhero yourself.)
If you’ve read any of these, send in your book review. Or send in a review of your favorite book about a superhero (of sorts).
UPDATE 1/25/11: We revealed the answer to our Superheroes (of Sorts) Mystery Book Theater in the “Up, Up, and Away!” Podcast, so take a listen if you want to know the answer. Or just tune in if you want to hear lots of terrible puns and our new silly names, care of Professor Poopypants. (Confused? Just listen to the podcast. All will be revealed.)
