Early Reader Review: Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson

Source: From Roaring Book Press in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Ben Braver and the Incredible Exploding Kid by Marcus Emerson
Series: Ben Braver #2
Publisher: Roaring Book Press
Publication Date:  March 5, 2019

 

Format: Paperback ARC

Rating:











Goodreads Synopsis: 

The Super Life of Ben Braver: The Incredible Exploding Kid is jam-packed with art and comic strips. It's another wacky adventure from Marcus Emerson, the author behind the hit Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja series! 

“A crazy fun ride—action packed and loaded with laughs!” —Max Brallier, The Last Kids on Earth 

Even though Ben Braver saved Kepler Academy from total destruction last year, he knows he still doesn't fit in at his secret middle school for kids with special abilities. Ben's been hiding his lack of super skills, but it's getting harder as his classmates' powers are getting stronger. 

Will Ben be able to power up before his enemies at school take him down? And will he risk everything to become the ultimate superhero? 

Review: 
It is another school year and Ben Braver is back at super power school, and it wouldn't be super hero school without super villains. 

Ben is an ordinary kid who was accepted into a school for kids with super powers, they are taught to hide their powers or at least control them. Sadly Ben doesn't know what his power is yet and he is really hoping that this year he will figure it out. He is pretty popular though, because last year he helped save the school.  It all comes crashing down on him and his lack of powers might just be a bigger problem than he realizes. 

These books are a lot of fun. Ben is super stubborn and very human and it is refreshing to see a plain kid having to deal with all of this friends having a super power. He is kind of a jerk at times, but that is just the situation he is in, I think part of his defenses. Luckily, his friends have his back and they are awesome. They call him out when he is an idiot and help him when he needs it. They are a great support group.

The build up in this installment was really well paced and the ending was very surprising. I liked the twists that it took, they kept me on my toes as a reader and I love when a book can do that. 

I find these books HIGHLY entertaining and strongly recommend them to all readers, but they are meant for the middle grade age group. I think both boys and girls will really like these.