Rachel Reviews: Breakfast of Superheroes (1st book in the Cockroach the Superhero series) by Steve Frederick

I think it is the dream of most schoolboys to have a superpower - to discover that there is something they have that makes them stand out from the crowd. I've certainly had many conversations in the past with my sons about what superpower I would have and why. Steve Frederick taps into this and creates a book which is bound to appeal to middle graders as superhero-dom becomes a reality for his main character, Kyle, an ordinary schoolboy, who stumbles on an extraordinary item.

The scene: the breakfast table and your favourite cereal advertising a free replica of a ring that your favourite superhero wears and that this can be found in your cereal packet today!

But what if that ring wasn't a replica but was in fact the real thing?

And this is what happens to Kyle Alexander. This first book in the series deals with Kyle acclimatising to his new-found super-ness and trying to decide what to do with it. Should he help others? Does he have the courage to be a superhero and enter dangerous situations? Is he going to be able to use his new powers effectively and master the perfect landing so that he doesn't look incompetent as he comes in to land before a gangster or other villain?

These are the concerns that Kyle has and along with his best friend, Carlos who is in on the secret and, and it must be said, a little bit jealous, Kyle tries to see what opportunities having a magic ring can open up to him.

Like Book 3, which I have also read and reviewed, this is a well-paced narrative and the characters are well-drawn with realistic dialogue, and with Frederick's humour permeating throughout. These are fun books to read and this one, as an introduction to Kyle, sets the tone and the scene for further books.

I like the fact that Kyle has doubts about whether he is the right person to have the ring. I like discovering what it's capable of doing. I liked following Kyle into danger, knowing that he wants to help but is a little bit unskilled and a lot scared, creating tension just enough to worry me and to keep me reading.

I would recommend as a simple, easy, entertaining read, especially for boys who love baseball, superheroes and want to read something that appeals to their interests.

Rachel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Book 3 review can be found here: