Terror in Tights

August 1, 2007
Gr 2-4-Book four has Melvin once again teaming up with his pal Candace to work out math problems at the library and save the world from an onslaught of bologna by Superhero Carl. There's more bologna here than Carl's as the less-than-super plot falls flat. Melvin learned everything he knows at the Superhero Academy in Boston and now lives in Los Angeles. A transcontinental chase takes place when Carl gets off "The Good Ship Lollipop" in Boston and steals a cape from the academy in order to get back at his nemesis. With all these supposed superpowers, it seems that there would be less time spent traveling and kicking in doors and more time devoted to an actual story. Word and phrase choices like "peeved," "no speaker tags," and Melvin achieving "rear end" status seem odd for the intended audience. Comic-book sketches and cool cover art will draw attention to this title, but savvy early chapter-book readers will find better choices in Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" (Scholastic) and Jon Scieszka's "Time Warp Trio" series (HarperTrophy)."Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2007
Far from the suave Superman type, Melvin Beederman needs a running start to take to the air, and gets weak in the knees when someone flashes a piece of bologna. But he has managed to make it back for a fourth adventure in his Superhero series, in which a vengeful former superhero is trying to do him in. This is lightweight to be sure, but there are a few clever twists, including a verbal battle between Melvin; his sidekick, Candace; and the books narrator. A possibility for Dav Pilkeys fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2007, American Library Association.)