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Public School Superhero by Chris Tebbetts

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Public School Superhero

Author
Chris Tebbetts
Narrator
Joshua Boone
Publisher
Hachette Audio for Young Listeners
Publish Date
16 March 2015
Run Time
3 hours 14 minutes
Format
Audiobook
Genre
Children’s / Teenage fiction: Humorous stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Self-awareness and self-esteem, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Families and family members, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Boys and men, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Science fiction, Graphic novel / Comic book: super-heroes and super-villains, Children’s / Teenage fiction: School stories
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What to expect

Inner city middle school student Kenny Wright imagines himself as a superhero-but when he faces peer pressure and bullying, can he find his strength in real life?

Kenny Wright is a kid with a secret identity. In his mind, he's Stainlezz Steel, super-powered defender of the weak. In reality, he's a chess club devotee known as a "Grandma's Boy," a label that makes him an easy target for bullies. Kenny wants to bring a little more Steel to the real world, but the question is: can he recognize the real strength and goodness inside himself? Or will peer pressure force him to make the worst choice of his life?

Interspersed with fantastic illustrations and comic-book panels, this book aims to both entertain and to provoke dialogue about identity, belonging, and doing the right thing.

Critics Review

  • Praise for Public School Superhero:

    "The authors never get too preachy for their own good.... Told with the humorous style characteristic of Patterson when he's in preteen mode, the novel fits right in with I Funny, Middle School, and the like. Adding to the book's charm [are] comic-filled pages that help further illustrate Kenny's inner workings as well as present just plain fun superhero stories. A smart and kind story topped with just the right amount of social justice."—Kirkus Reviews
  • "Packed with fast-paced tween-speak, Public School Superhero will entertain and enlighten.... Readers will also enjoy the multiple pages of funny, comic book-style illustrations packed with superhero stunts and preteen angst.... Definitely buy this one."—School Library Journal
  • "With admirers of all ages, don't be surprised if everyone wants to get their hands on [Patterson's] latest."—Booklist
  • Praise for I Funny:A #1 New York Times Bestseller
See more reviews
  • "....Poignant.... Readers learn about [Jamie's] devastating loss and recovery from a tragic event....The affecting ending, which reveals a more vulnerable Jamie behind the guise of his humor, celebrates Jamie's resilient spirit."—Kirkus Reviews
  • "In all, a brimming bucket of bada-bing!"—Booklist
  • "The broad humor that runs throughout this heavily illustrated story... masks personal pain, demonstrating resiliency in the face of tragedy."—Publishers Weekly
  • Praise for Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life:
  • * "As Patterson artfully weaves a deeper and more thought-provoking tale of childhood coping mechanisms and everyday school and family realities, readers are drawn into a deeper understanding of and compassion for the main characters."—School Library Journal, starred review
  • "Readers will discover the best kind of child: one that is intelligent, artistic, and brave.... A world perfectly described through a 12-year-old's point of view...a satisfying and progressive tale with real sweetness."—Kirkus Reviews
  • "A keen appreciation of kids' insecurities and an even more astute understanding of what might propel boy readers through a book.... a perfectly pitched novel."—Los Angeles Times
  • "Cleverly delves into the events that make middle school so awkward: cranky bus drivers, tardy slips, bathroom passes and lots of rules.... Hopefully, this isn't the last we hear from Rafe Khatchadorian."—The Associated Press
  • "It's a chatty, funny, engaging book, one that often addresses the reader directly. It's filled with energetic cartoons... that will appeal to your little rebel, depicting teachers as dungeon-keepers, matadors and flying dragons. Patterson... knows how to structure a plot and builds in some surprising--even touching--twists.... Rafe is the bad boy with a heart of gold."—The New York Times
  • "The book's... dynamic artwork and message that 'normal is boring' should go a long way toward assuring kids who don't fit the mold that there's a place for them, too."—Publishers Weekly
  • "Incredibly detailed and imaginative illustrations . . . add depth and humor. . . . an enjoyable story that even the most reluctant readers should enjoy."—Library Media Connection
  • "There is substance as well as appeal here.... Patterson deftly manages the pace of revelations that take readers deeper into Rafe's fragile trust.... Readers ready for something else in the same vein but more substantive than Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Peirce's Big Nate should be introduced to Rafe."—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Details
Author
Chris Tebbetts
Narrator
Joshua Boone
Duration
3 hours 14 minutes
Release Date
16 March 2015
ISBN
9781478953869
Format
Audiobook
Publisher
Hachette Audio for Young Listeners
Genre
Children’s / Teenage fiction: Humorous stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Self-awareness and self-esteem, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Families and family members, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General fiction, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Boys and men, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Science fiction, Graphic novel / Comic book: super-heroes and super-villains, Children’s / Teenage fiction: School stories

Synopsis

Inner city middle school student Kenny Wright imagines himself as a superhero-but when he faces peer pressure and bullying, can he find his strength in real life? Kenny Wright is a kid with a secret identity. In his mind, he's Stainlezz Steel, super-powered defender of the weak. In reality, he's a chess club devotee known as a "Grandma's Boy," a label that makes him an easy target for bullies. Kenny wants to bring a little more Steel to the real world, but the question is: can he recognize the real strength and goodness inside himself? Or will peer pressure force him to make the worst choice of his life? Interspersed with fantastic illustrations and comic-book panels, this book aims to both entertain and to provoke dialogue about identity, belonging, and doing the right thing.

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