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A Little Bit Super

With Small Powers Come Big Problems

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

In these hilarious stories by some of the top authors of middle grade fiction today, each young character is coping with a minor superpower—while also discovering their power to change themselves and their community, find their voice, and celebrate what makes them unique.

Everyone knows that superheroes are supposed to have awesome powers like strength or invisibility or flight. But what happens when you're a mostly regular kid . . . who's just a little bit super?

In these hilarious and thought-provoking stories from today's top middle grade authors, a group of kids are each coping with a recently discovered minor superpower. One can shape-shift—but only part of her body, and only on Mondays. Another can always tell when an avocado is perfectly ripe. One can even hear the thoughts of animals in the pet store—which can be about as heart-tugging as you might imagine. It's hard enough to be in middle school even without some weird ability, but these kids not only find their way to owning their unique powers and potential, they use them to change things for the better . . . and getting there with them is half the fun!

These playful tales prompt readers to consider what their own superpower might be, and how they can use it.

"Award-winning contributors keep delightfully inclusive and accomplished company in this emotionally grounded, compassionate collection. . . . These are not your run-of-the-mill, cape-and-tights-clad superheroes. These are kids with relatable struggles learning to embrace that quirky bit of themselves that makes them unique." —ALA Booklist (starred review)

Written by Pablo Cartaya, Nikki Grimes, Leah Henderson, Jarrett Krosoczka, Remy Lai, Kyle Lukoff, Meg Medina, Daniel Nayeri, Linda Sue Park, Mitali Perkins, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Gary D. Schmidt, Brian Young, and Ibi Zoboi; coedited by Leah Henderson and Gary D. Schmidt.

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    • Kirkus

      February 15, 2024
      A collection of 13 short stories by acclaimed authors for young people featuring kids who use real and imagined superpowers to positively affect their lives and those of others. The kids in these entries are dealing with many common challenges: wanting to fit in, feeling shy, longing for real friendships, and developing courage. In Pablo Cartaya's "2.4 Seconds to Sonder," Maximiliano has become accustomed to fading into the background: His time-jumping abilities take him into the bodies of "random extras in history," but he learns that "nobody's life is random or pointless," whether they're noticed or not. In Nikki Grimes' "Shift," which is told in poetry form, Imara uses her shape-shifting abilities to try to blend in with the mean girls at her school, but this doesn't make her happy. She learns an important lesson: "Who are they to say / I'm not perfect / exactly the way I am?" In Pam Mu�oz Ryan's "Matchmaker," Sofia Delvechio uses mystical powers from her family's matchmaking business to build a friendship network and help others. This collection of stories, which is divided into two sections--"The Power of Discovering Who We Are" and "The Power of Being Who We Are"--is broadly appealing; the diversity of characters, powers, and voices serves to highlight the protagonists' inner lives and the importance that relationships play in helping them develop their senses of self. Final art not seen. An engaging and imaginative look at the powers of childhood. (Anthology. 8-12)

      COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • The Horn Book

      March 1, 2024
      This imaginative collection presents thirteen stories from an all-star team of authors, including Nikki Grimes, Pam Mu�oz Ryan, and Linda Sue Park. A heartfelt introduction by the coeditors sets up the theme and through line: these are short stories of middle-school kids growing in self-knowledge and empathy as they realize that they each have some sort of gift. ("Because everyone has a power, and that power matters, no matter how small or inconvenient it may seem.") The compilation is cleverly organized into two parts: "The Power of Discovering Who We Are" and "The Power of Being Who We Are." Abilities portrayed include time-jumping, shape-shifting, telepathy, the courage to speak truth to power, the ability to sense when avocados are ripe, and more. In Kyle Lukoff's story, a child learns to take steps to trust and affirm his own wishes about his gender identity; in Mitali Perkins's, a chameleon gives a girl magical cultural code-switching abilities. Whether big or small, silly or serious (or both), every power is brought to life through a nuanced, diverse cast of characters and entertaining, thought-provoking plots. While the narratives lean whimsical, this entire project offers readers a careful, serious, and profound invitation to reflect on issues of identity, responsibility, social justice, and the myriad ways that people's gifts -- in both perception and application -- can affect others' lives, relationships, and the wider world. Illustrations not seen. Elisa Gall

      (Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

    • Booklist

      Starred review from February 15, 2024
      Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Heavy-hitting, notable writers join forces in a memorable collection of short stories "about middle-school kids who discover in themselves some sort of small superpower." And by "small," the authors took this assignment seriously. These aren't characters who can lift cars or fly, but, rather, consist of an emotionally intuitive time jumper with no control over which host body he'll inhabit, a restaurateur's daughter whose ability to magically discern perfectly ripe avocados saves their bottom line, and even a lonely seventh-grader whose "right arm is now possessed of a . . . demon in the shape of a claw." And there are rodents. So many rodents. In other words, these are not your run-of-the-mill, cape-and-tights-clad superheroes. These are kids with relatable struggles learning to embrace that quirky bit of themselves that makes them unique, and empathetic lessons follow. The book's 13 digestible, independent stories are divided into two sections, the first featuring characters gazing inward toward self-acceptance, and the second with kids harnessing their potential to serve their community's greater good. Numerous award-winning contributors (think Meg Medina, Kyle Lukoff, and coeditor Schmidt) keep delightfully inclusive and accomplished company in this emotionally grounded, compassionate collection that's perfect for sharing alongside Flying Lessons & Other Stories (2017), edited by Ellen Oh, and the authors' individual works. Interstitial art was unavailable for review.

      COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      May 24, 2024

      Gr 5 Up-A collection of 13 stories, each written by a different author, centering ordinary characters with semi-extraordinary powers. The superpower is often small and easily missed by others, but can be inconvenient to the main character. When Meg Medina's Carla Perez, who has the power to shapeshift into a guinea pig, finds herself in a position where she must shift quickly, it requires removing all her clothes before doing so: "Geez! If anybody finds me in puris naturalibis and with my head in a cage, I'll be a guidance department case with no hope for parole." In Daniel Nayeri's dialogic entry, a boy grapples with a demon attached to his body in the shape of a claw. The line-up is full of notable authors, including Linda Sue Park, Brian Young, and Ibi Zoboi, and the majority of the entries are quite humorous. This book contains some language and imagery that may invoke some negative or scared feelings, and therefore may not be appropriate for younger children. Comic-panel artwork by Krosoczka is dispersed throughout. Diverse characters appear in each chapter. VERDICT This entertaining collection of stories is certain to keep readers interested from beginning to end. Great for those who love superheroes, short story collections, and humor.-Tracy Cronce

      Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • The Horn Book

      January 1, 2024
      This imaginative collection presents thirteen stories from an all-star team of authors, including Nikki Grimes, Pam Munoz Ryan, and Linda Sue Park. A heartfelt introduction by the coeditors sets up the theme and through line: these are short stories of middle-school kids growing in self-knowledge and empathy as they realize that they each have some sort of gift. ("Because everyone has a power, and that power matters, no matter how small or inconvenient it may seem.") The compilation is cleverly organized into two parts: "The Power of Discovering Who We Are" and "The Power of Being Who We Are." Abilities portrayed include time-jumping, shape-shifting, telepathy, the courage to speak truth to power, the ability to sense when avocados are ripe, and more. In Kyle Lukoff's story, a child learns to take steps to trust and affirm his own wishes about his gender identity; in Mitali Perkins's, a chameleon gives a girl magical cultural code switching abilities. Whether big or small, silly or serious (or both), every power is brought to life through a nuanced, diverse cast of characters and entertaining, thought-provoking plots. While the narratives lean whimsical, this entire project offers readers a careful, serious, and profound invitation to reflect on issues of identity, responsibility, social justice, and the myriad ways that people's gifts -- in both perception and application -- can affect others' lives, relationships, and the wider world. Illustrations not seen.

      (Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

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