Public School Superhero

Gr 4–6—By day, Kenny Wright is an average middle school kid, living in Washington, DC. But he has three things against him: he loves his grandmother, earning him the nickname "Grandma's Boy;" he's smart, because Grandma makes him study; and he has an affinity for chess. These facts could make life rough for any kid, but at inner-city Union Middle School, it makes him a prime target for bullying. Enter his alter-ego, Stainlezz Steel, a superhero who performs feats of valor from thwarting a robbery by ruthless thugs to rescuing cats, generally keeping the city streets and his school safe for the weak and nerdy. Union Middle School faces some tough situations as well: budget cuts, teacher and principal turnover, and low-performing students. Trying to stay out of trouble seems to get Kenny in deeper and his new principal isn't having any of it. Can Stainlezz Steel save the day or will Kenny find a way to save it on his own? Packed with fast-paced, tween-speak, Public School Superhero will entertain and enlighten. Kenny is relatable and his relationship with his grandmother is touching. Kenny is African American and his classmates include kids from a rich and realistic diversity of racial and ethnic backgrounds, adding to the overall appeal of this novel. Readers will also enjoy the multiple pages of funny, comic book-style illustrations packed with superhero stunts and preteen angst.