Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities

Many residents of Copperplate City are fond of local superhero Captain Stupen-dous, but 12-year-old Vincent Wu and his best friends Max and George are diehard fans. When a new supervillain, Professor Mayhem, arrives in town with a giant robot, and Captain Stupendous starts acting strangely after their first battle, Vincent and his friends try to figure out what's going on (and what it has to do with Vincent's crush, Polly Winnicott-Lee). Debut author Jung smartly balances adventure and comedy in a story about (unwanted) power and responsibility that pokes fun at superhero conventions along the way (Professor Mayhem, like a true supervillain, takes his time to explain his evil plot in full). Jung's fast-paced storytelling, filled with comics-inspired gadgetry and sound effects, makes the story's action sequences come alive, and thanks to Maihack's b&w spot illustrations, Vincent, Polly, and the others look like they're ready to star in an animated series. Superhero fans also will appreciate the sly nod to Clark Kent/Superman when the book jacket is removed. Ages 8-12. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. (Oct.)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-6--Vincent Wu knows everything there is to know about Copperplate City's most beloved superhero, Captain Stupendous. He talks about him at dinner. He does reports on him at school. He is even a founding member of the Captain Stupendous Fan Club. When the hero takes a bad hit rescuing Vincent's not-so-secret crush, Polly Winnicott-Lee, he returns slightly different. He no longer has the skills he once had, and he is nearly pulverized in a rematch with the giant automaton he's bested before. In a last-ditch effort to save Vincent from being crushed, and to escape the battle, Stupendous takes off with the boy in his grasp. There is a revelatory moment when Stupendous unveils his secret identity: Polly. During the last battle Stupendous died and passed his abilities to her. It is now up to Vincent to train her and convince her that what he thinks of as the best gift ever is worth keeping. Jung has created an interesting city with a diverse population, reliant on and in love with superheroes (it has four Captain Stupendous fan clubs). The characters experience a good bit of growth, and kids will get a kick out of a teenage girl transforming into a muscle-bound man when performing herculean feats. The plot, funny and exciting, follows a lot of generic superhero themes. There are occasional mild swear words, which are jarring in a text so otherwise perfectly suited to this audience. For those trying to find some accessible adventure stories with a hint of romance, this is a good additional purchase.--Devin Burritt, Wells Public Library, ME

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"[A] genuinely new sort of superhero story." — Kirkus Reviews

"Debut author Jung smartly balances adventure and comedy in a story about (unwanted) power and responsibility that pokes fun at superhero conventions along the way (Professor Mayhem, like a true supervillain, takes his time to explain his evil plot in full)...Superhero fans also will appreciate the sly nod to Clark Kent/Superman when the book jacket is removed." — Publishers Weekly

"With snappy and authentic dialogue, layered plotting, full-on science, and sweet preteen romance, Jung's boisterous debut is a winner. Here's hoping we haven't seen the last of this bunch." — Booklist

"There is plenty of page-turning action, plenty of snappy dialogue and action sound effects, plenty of middle school drama (and a little romance), plenty of grossness, and plenty of kid superiority over adults. Superhero fans and comic book fans will be eager readers." — Library Media Connection, Recommended

"This classic fanboy fantasy hits all the right notes as Vincent uses his wits to overcome some pretty formidable odds.... The dialogue is witty, the plotting clever, and the sentiments are right on target for the age group; fans of Cody's Powerless and readers who enjoy stories about superheroes, underdogs, and friendship skirmishes will all find something to like here." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books