The Mystery Intruder (Awesome Man #2)

Gr 1-3--Awesome Man and Awesome Dog are used to being the only superheroes in Awesome town. They fight bad guys, fix stuff, try to help people--and that's just the way they like it. Unfortunately, they've heard that a new superhero is about to show up and they are not happy about it. The truth is that they are afraid that maybe the townspeople will like the new guy better. In fact, what if they like him so much better that they forget Awesome Man's birthday? As Awesome Man, resplendent in red cape and blue mask, continues to fret about this turn of events, we see him transform from a buff superhero to a young boy (he is white, but other superheroes are shown to be a diverse bunch, and all the people Awesome Man helps are of many races and backgrounds). Of course, the new superhero is none other than a baby brother who is bald and tiny and pretty much incapable of doing anything. Pretty soon however, Captain Stinky (Awesome Man's moniker for him) has worked his charm on our superhero, and he realizes he doesn't have a rival so much as a worthy sidekick. VERDICT A fun follow-up to The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man along with delightfully retro illustrations by Parker. Recommended for purchase.--Amy Nolan, St. Joseph P.L., MI