Superhero School

K-Gr 4-Super psyched to attend superhero school, Leonard and his classmates are disappointed to find themselves belaboring math problems with Mr. Tornado instead of focusing on important subjects, such as destroying alien death rays and conquering supervillains and mad scientists. When the unthinkable happens and the teachers are kidnapped by the ice zombies, the class shifts into superhero mode faster than anyone can text "HELP." The obstacles they face are only solvable by application of their newly discovered comprehension of multiplication, division, and fractions. When Mr. Tornado rewards the class for their amazing rescue with an A+ on the math quiz, it registers with Leonard and his fellow superheros that they may have been duped by the faculty. Now the youngsters realize that math is a useful and enjoyable subject. Rash's illustrations in digital collage of gouache and Sharpies create his trademark cartoons that pulsate with energy and engage readers. Reynolds creatively blends the use of math skills in word-problem superhero settings that are playful, smart, and positive. This title is sure to be a winner with children who are anxious or reluctant about math.-Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Leonard is underwhelmed by Superhero School, where, instead of teaching them to leap tall buildings, his teacher, The Blue Tornado, has the students tackling fractions and division. But on Friday, ice zombies kidnap the entire faculty! The kids spring into action, Leonard and the other flying student each taking half the class to the Arctic Circle, where, without really noticing, they apply their math skills and a bit of teamwork to the task. Reynolds's text has just the right touch of schoolboy ennui mixed with gee-whiz enthusiasm, and folds the lessons in painlessly for readers, if not for Leonard. Rash's bold cartoons ably support the goofiness, depicting a multicultural, multi-powered classroom, with the stalwart Mr. Tornado at the helm. (Picture book. 4-9) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.