My So-Called Superpowers

November 15, 2017
A 13-year-old budding artist struggles to join a popular clique when sudden superpowers derail her plans.Veronica McGowan, a mixed race (black/white), hopelessly average seventh-grader, wants nothing more than to be included in the most popular group in her middle school: the "Ests." With such slots as "Richest," "Smartest," and "Funniest" already taken, Veri hopes to join as the "Artiest" by volunteering to decorate the spring formal; that is, if she can outmaneuver her archrival and previous holder of the title and not get distracted by the reappearance of her crush. Veri's plans to impress are somewhat less than successful when her already awkward life is suddenly complicated by an onslaught of superpowers--a generous label for embarrassing, emotion-specific phenomena such as angrily breathing fire, transforming into stone during guided meditation, or turning an envious shade of green. Veri tries to get her emotions under control before their new physical manifestations ruin her chances at popularity and humiliate her for life. While Nuhfer has delivered a new spin on the classic "girl almost loses herself (and best friend) in attempts to be popular" narrative, heavy-handed contrivances yield a stiff, inorganic plot and a listlike sequence of conflicts--even deceptive parents and conspiracy theorist government agents fail to raise the stakes for readers. Blocker's occasional pencil sketches add some visual humor but do not elevate the whole.A book that manages to outpace its protagonist in mediocrity--skip it. (Fantasy. 10-13)

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January 1, 2018

Gr 4-6-Veronica is desperate to fit in with the cool kids at school. Too bad they mostly ignore her-until one day when Veronica's wishes and emotions begin to manifest themselves into actual events. Trying to avoid a bully, Veronica disappears. When her crush ignores her for another girl, she turns green with envy. While her best friend Charlie seems to think her new superpowers are pretty cool, Veronica can't help wonder if they're really just "stupidpowers." And when both a new guidance counselor and Veronica's nemesis start to take too much interest in her, and threaten to expose her secret, Veronica wonders if it's really all worth a little extra attention from those cool kids. Veronica's middle school escapades will seem familiar to readers trying to navigate cliques and new friendships, but her not-so-super powers are a fun twist on a familiar narrative and are delightfully presented in both the text and some cleverly drawn illustrations. Her warm relationship with her quirky father is a highlight and standout in the book. A side mystery involving her long-lost mother is less developed. Some of the side characters will feel a little one-dimensional and cliched to savvy readers of middle school fiction. The ending is rushed and clunky, although it leaves room for some interesting follow-ups to this origin story. VERDICT A solid choice for large collections where superhero books and comics are popular.-Maryanne Olson, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2017
Grades 5-8 It's been years since Veronica has seen her mother, who left without explanation when Veronica was very young. This abandonment, however, fuels Veronica's desire to be the best at something. Unfortunately, concurrent with the cool boy next door coming back from boarding school, Veronica begins having serious emotional trouble. Namely, her emotions start coming to life. When she is extremely sad, she produces rain clouds, and when she's crushing, hearts and banners appear everywhere. Her best friend Charlie thinks her powers are nifty and is quite content with their unpopular status at school. Her frenemy Betsy, on the other hand, is out to let everyone know what a freak Veronica is. As Veronica starts to gain popularity, she decides to find her mom and figure out, once and for all, why she left. Readers will be delighted at Veronica's relatable quirkiness, as Nuhfer presents a feel-good look at that middle-school awkwardness. This is a whimsical, good-humored, straightforward take of just loving yourself for who you arewhomever that may be.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)