#cbr11bingo #Own Voices
Even though (as an adult reading) I needed “more meat” to Mia Mayhem Is a Superhero! this introduction to the Mia Mayhem series is a good start to a new superhero series for ages 6 to 8 (first/second grade).
My review is from a reader copy from December 2018: I would like to see the full artwork of Leeza Hernandez as the cover and few images included have a great start/is a great teaser to what is to come. You come to learn the cover image is Mia’s school photograph when she starts PITS (a school for superheroes). Seeing the actual action (and there is a bit: moms flying, dogs licking, cats in trees, little girls running through screen doors) would have really pushed the story along.
For some reason, Mia’s acceptance letter to superhero school (beat up and full of stamps) took three years to get to her, as most kids start in kindergarten. But she is a fast learning, her family thinks, and will have no trouble catching up. But of course, Kara West cannot make it too easy for our new-found super gal! There are a lot of hurdles (literally) to jump. Will she be able to fly like her mom? Talk to animals like her dad? Or will she have a special power all her own?
The introduction to finding out Mia and her family are superheroes is great, but “fighting school” is not the best villain; yet relatable. Kids will get a kick out of a girl like them: having to go to school (two actually; as she needs to keep her superhero life a secret, she must stay in regular school, too), has a pet cat named Chaos, a best friend named Eddie, a possible friend (enemy?) named Penn Powers and two parents. Puns galore (Dr. Sue Perb, Professor Stu Pendus, Professor Wingum who can fly in a winged-suit) will tickle funny-bones and get kids saving the day with a book!