The Misshapes

October 13, 2014
Writing as Flynn, first-time novelists Stuart Sherman and Elisabeth Donnelly make a strong debut with this trilogy opener, set in a world populated by superhumans. Fifteen-year-old Sarah Robertson can control the weather with her emotions and yearns to attend Hero Academy, where she can train to be a full-fledged Hero. Instead, her lack of control, coupled with her mother being an infamous supervillain, brings her rejection and assignment to the local high school. But as Sarah meets other so-called Misshapes rejected by the Academy, she makes new friends and finds her own self-worth and confidenceâwhich comes in handy when the outsiders catch wind of a plot to rid the world of Misshapes and others deemed unworthy. The authors conjure a world teeming with intriguing characters and unusual powersâthe abilities to turn liquid into alcohol or conjure spectral backup singers are among those represented, a welcome deviance from more typical power sets. Stilted bits of dialogue and narrative occasionally mar the story, but the book never loses its sense of wonder and excitement. Worthy of the comics it takes inspiration from. Ages 10âup.

January 1, 2015

Gr 7-10-Sarah Robertson is one of the many residents of Doolittle Falls with supernatural powers. She dreams of attending the nearby Hero Academy where she can learn to control her weather-altering abilities alongside her crush, Freedom Boy. When the rejection letter arrives from the Academy, Sarah fears she'll be labeled a "Misshape," the derogatory name for teens with sub-standard powers. This disappointment-on top of the recent disappearance of her mother and an impending threat to all Misshapes-forces Sarah to reexamine what's really important in her life. There is much here for fans of "Harry Potter" to enjoy: a school for teens with super powers, a dramatic sporting event called Harpastball, and humorous characters such as Butters, a boy whose super power is summoning a ghostly singing group that broadcasts his thoughts musically (he hasn't mastered sending them away yet). And for romance fans, there's a love triangle brewing here, too. The writing style is sometimes choppy and awkward, though most readers will overlook these flaws and become lost in this imaginative, action-packed series opener.-Alison O'Reilly Poage, formerly at Cutchogue New Suffolk Free Library, NY

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