Raelyn Drake

This was in the "scary books" section on Libby which is really laughable after reading it.

The narrators voice was very chipper throughout the book, so it was hard to grasp onto the suspense the story was trying to build. Overall, if it had been pitched right, I wouldn't be so disappointed. But it's a cute story with a happily ever after ending for a haunted house with a secret.

The ending is far from believable, but I could see this being a good book to recommend for a middle school child or younger looking for a Halloween read.… (més)

Literary Merit: Ok
Characterization: Good
Recommended: for middle grade and reluctant readers

On Evan’s 16th birthday he travels with his friend Layla across town to the cool new skate park. He is trying to make a “Sponsor me video” in preparation for the Sick Trick Teen Skate Semifinals. Things are not going well, he needs to land a really cool trick like a 360 if he is going to have any chance of getting a sponsor. He decides to give it another try when something really strange happens. On this final attempt his body twists into a corkscrew and ends up doing the physically impossible - 7 complete turns!

Layla and Evan are stunned and confused, what is happening. Then when Evan reaches behind his back they realize his arm stretches way longer than normal. Evan then starts trying to test out and stretch different parts of his body before he realizes he has superpowers. Upon this realization Evan decided he was going to be a superhero and Layla would be his sidekick.

Evans 1st attempt at being a superhero is a disaster. He shows up at the scene of the crime after the crime occurred and the police are already there. As he stands on the outskirts of the scene trying to figure out what to do he realizes bystanders are looking at him suspiciously (he is dressed in all black with a ski mask on so people won’t recognize him). He hops on his skateboard and zooms off, cutting down a back alley where he knocks down an older man who thinks Evan is trying to rob him.

After videos of Evan using his superpower to do some fancy tricks go viral he starts to focus more on his image and how he can get more attention than on how he can use his superpowers to help others. This causes a fight with Layla.

In the end, Evan has a chance to use his superpowers for good and he rises to the challenge becoming a real superhero.

This book, a very quick read, was pretty straight forward and lacking in depth. There were definitely some fun parts to the story and some excitement. Even though the main character is 16 I think this book is more for middle grade readers, especially boys and reluctant readers.… (més)