Amelia Rules! Superheroes

Module 10, SLIS 5420

Summary

Superheroes is the third installment in the Amelia Rules! series of graphic novels. In this one, Amelia and her friends come into conflict with the Park View Ninjas, a group of rival kids who dress and act like ninjas instead of superheroes, like Amelia's friends. Their contact comes about within the framework of Amelia's mother wanting to move into a house in Park View. The Ninjas manage to mislead the Superheroes into believing that there was a third group, the Legion of Steves, responsible for a great conspiracy throughout history. The Legion of Steves is supposed to be responsible for most of the ills that have beset humanity, and Reggie, leader of the Superheroes, vows to bring them down. The book is very funny and filled with action and humor as the various characters fantasize about how they would deal with their daily lives and their superhero identities, slipping between those fantasies and the real world. But all is not well in Amelia's world. She and the Superheroes, and their new friends the Ninjas, befriend a girl named Trish who writes for the neighborhood fan-zine Tweenie Zeenie. Amelia discovers that Trish has a congenital heart problem and is in a very fragile condition. She should not be participating as a new member of the Superheroes. This book takes a lighthearted look at the creative imaginations of tweens, poking fun at their vulnerabilities and passions, yet shows that sometimes the serious side of life intrudes, and that getting through these difficulties, through sharing experiences of all kinds, kids can help each other and make a difference in one anothers lives in meaningful ways.

Bibliographic Information

Gownley, Jimmy. Amelia Rules! Superheroes. Renaissance Press, 2006. ISBN: 0-9712169-7-5

My Thoughts

This is a good series to use in introducing tweens and reluctant readers to the graphic novel format. The characters are appealingly real. Readers will recognize people they know or have known in the characters. The art is well done and fits seamlessly with the text. The expressions and the body language of the characters helps the reader understand the emotions of the characters. The character of PajamaMan is especially amusing as his emotions and reactions can be read in the exclamation points and question marks that appear on his pajama tops. It is a book that is both fun and serious in a way that does not talk down or condescend to tweens. Fantasy sequences are tipped off with transitions that are dream-like, such as a switch to black and white, characters becoming insubstantial, or a lack of detailed background scenery.

Reviews

Gr. 4-7 In this third volume of the Amelia Rules! series, the school year has ended, but summer isn't carefree. Amelia must deal with the possiblity of moving out of the neighborhood; then her new friend Trish hides a terrible secret within the fantasy adventure she is writing. The real drama of the story, however springs from the dare Amelia takes while playing Truth or Dare. Gownley continues to blend slapstick comedy with serious, poignant issues in a way that will draw a wide age range, and his colorful, kid-friendly art, in simple yet sophisticated panel layouts, will keep readers going forward with the story.
Kan, Kat. Booklist. September 1, 2007.

Awards

Cybils Award (bloggers)

Suggestions for Use in Library

This is an appealing introduction for tweens or reluctant readers to the wonders of graphic novels. It is both funny and deals with the complex issue of dealing with a potentially fatal physical infirmity. It also tackles issues associated with shifting friendships. Discussions could focus, either with an entire class or focus groups on the illness and friendship issues.