Copyright Date:
2021
Edition Date:
2023
Release Date:
03/28/23
Illustrator:
Torseter, Oyvind,
Pages:
188 pages
ISBN:
1-592-70275-9
ISBN 13:
978-1-592-70275-6
Dewey:
Fic
LCCN:
2023002535
Dimensions:
19 cm.
Language:
English
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews
ÃvreÃ¥s follows up his Batchelder Awardâwinning Brown (2019), originally published in Norway, with a similarly poker-faced middle volume.Hearing a standoffish new girl snippily claim that her mom is famous in America, Jack dons his homemade superhero costume and as "Black" makes a like bid for glory by pilfering the mayor's prize chicken-with the intent of returning it publicly and basking in the acclaim. But when he goes back to the shed where he'd stashed the purloined pullet, all he finds are feathers. Time to enlist his friends Rusty ("Brown") and Lou ("Blue") for detective work and a rescue! The spare narrative leaves much to pick up between the lines, and for readers who don't quickly twig to the fact that Jack's not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, Torseter supplies hair-fine line drawings on nearly every page of a round-headed lad skulking about looking generally befuddled or guilty. In the end Jack does bring the hen back to her owner but, unsurprisingly, gets neither credit nor a picture in the local press. No matter: A store owner's comment that fame is less important than money leads to an instant readjustment of priorities. In the unfilled line drawings, the cast presents as White; Jack's indulgent mother uses a wheelchair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)More proof that Wimpy Kidâstyle hijinks are just as droll in translation. (Fiction. 9-11)
Jack’s plan to impress the new girl in town goes hilariously wrong in this companion novel to Batchelder-winning Brown, illustrated by outstanding Norwegian cartoonist Øyvind Torseter.
The trio of friends from Batchelder-winnning Brown is back, this time following the adventures of Jack. When a new girl moves to town, Jack is determined to impress and befriend her. The only problem? Her mom’s supposedly a famous singer, and she’ll only stick around if she can find some celebrity friends. So Jack hatches a plan to land himself in the newspaper: he’s going to rescue the chairman’s prize-winning hen. Of course, that means he has to “borrow” it first. But when the “borrowed” hen then goes missing, Jack finds himself in some serious trouble. He’s going to need some superhero help to find the missing hen and set things right.
Enter Black—Jack’s superhero alter ego—to the rescue! Along with his faithful companions Brown and Blue, of course. While Brown and Blue might not completely understand what has happened or why they’re involved, neither does Jack, really. But they’re ready for action and raring to go! An endearing and playful middle grade book about friendship, fame, and fun.
The second book in Håkon Øvreås' award-winning My Alter Ego Is A Superhero trilogy, Black can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. Black is illustrated throughout by one of Norway’s greatest cartoonist, Øyvind Torseter.
Common Core
STEAM
Graphic
Novel
High/Low
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Book
Large
Print
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Book
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Adult
Language
Mature
Content
Ebook
Ebook
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