M is for Mama's Boy

The N.E.R.D.S. (National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society) are back! And Johnny Heller is masterful as narrator yet again. The group of fifth-grade nerds, each with a unique power, takes on one of their own. Simon, formerly known as Heathcliff, has jumped ship and embarked on his own plan to take over the world. With the help of Captain Justice (ray-gun mastermind) and his formidable mother, Simon and his former buddies engage in fast-paced and rib-tickling confrontations. From varying vantage points, Buckley poses the question: Does one need superpowers to be successful? Heller's boyish voice is appropriate for the story, and his characterizations are superb. Mama has all the twang and savoir-faire of a domineering yet lovable mother, "The Creature" has all the sarcasm of a pesky sister, and Simon is as nasal as they come. A.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

April 1, 2011

Gr 4-7-Imagine being a fifth grade superhero who is bullied at school. That's what the members of the National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society (NERDS) must put up with to stay undercover. In the second book (Amulet Books, 2010) in the series by Michael Buckley, Duncan Dewey, known as Gluestick, and fellow members of the spy network are called back into action when a bank is mysteriously robbed by a villain with enormous buckteeth. It seems that Simon, a former agent gone bad, is once again threatening mankind. But this time, he has teamed up with a pudgy, 37-year-old computer genius, Captain Justice, who resides in the basement of his mother's house and really wants to be a superhero. Simon promises to help if Captain Justice will use his prodigious computer skills to disrupt the NERDS use of technology. Then Gluestick, whose superpower is sticking to walls, finds that the gooey substance oozing out of his skin no longer works. Things turn upside down and the NERDS must adapt or evil Simon and his minion will prevail. Zinging, tongue-in-cheek quips add charm to this fast-paced, action-packed, laugh-out-loud story line. Boys will especially be drawn in by the silliness of the characters. Johnny Heller offers an expert rendition of the animal voices. Have the book available so listeners can peruse the humorous cartoon illustrations.-Robyn Gioia, Bolles School, Ponte Vedra, FL

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.