 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
- By Michael Chabon
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Exciting look at the fun (and fatigue) of being a superhero.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know this is a great picture book for new and reluctant readers. The simple but fun text goes a long way in engaging kids who love to imagine. There is some cartoon violence -- without injury.
What's the story?
Awesome Man is a busy guy. He's got to fight robots, slimebots, and his arch nemesis Flaming Eyeball, and sometimes he gets so busy he forgets to stop, eat, and chill out for a while. Good thing he has his equally awesome secret identity that lets him take a break from his superhero duties. Readers get to find out all about his adventures and his secret identity, too -- can you guess what it is?
Is it any good?
This book is awesome, like Awesome Man. It's fun, exciting, and readers can readily identify with all of the adventures of this superhero -- before they find out his secret identity. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon does a fantastic job of capturing the creative and open qualities of imaginative play. What makes the story even awesome-r is that Chabon doesn't forget the trials of being a superhero -- running out of energy (needing a snack), staving off trashing a city in anger (temper tantrum), and needing a big hug from a superhero's biggest ally, his mom.
The dazzling illustrations by Jake Parker are bright and engaging. They are almost begging to be used as room decorations for superhero fans. The astonishing secret isn't so astonishing, but Chabon's connection to the life of a child is pretty close.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about imagination. Practice changing ordinary activities -- taking out the garbage, cleaning a bedroom -- into adventures by using only your imagination.
Awesome Man gets angry and wants to smash stuff, but instead he takes time out and calms down. What do you do when you're angry? What are some of the ways you calm yourself down?
Families can also talk about how other people have used their imaginations to create inventions, television programs, movies, and books. Take turns imagining different endings and scenarios to favorite stories.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 2, 2011
AGE
Fun for younger kids.
My mom checked this out for my 10 year old sister and me (12) to read for fun. We liked it well enough, but I think kids over 8 or 9 years old will find that guessing Awesome Man's identity is too easy. However, for younger kids, this is a cute read, with a fun description of what is would be like to be a superhero.
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| Topics: | superheroes |
| Author: | Michael Chabon |
| Illustrator: | Jake Parker |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Balzer + Bray |
| Publication date: | September 6, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 40 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 4 - 8 |
| Read aloud: | 8 |
| Read alone: | 8 |
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