Leon the Extraordinary (Leon #1)

by Jamar Nicholas (Author) Jamar Nicholas (Illustrator)

Leon the Extraordinary (Leon #1)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Leon

Leon is an ordinary kid who becomes extraordinary when he fights a supervillain to save his school!

In the city where Leon lives, superheroes -- and supervillains -- are commonplace. So how does an ordinary kid like Leon, who has no superpowers himself, become the superhero he wants to be? When all his classmates suddenly become obsessed with a new phone app that turns them into zombies, Leon gets his chance to prove that using his brain and following his heart can save the day.

Equal parts New Kid and The Incredibles, the first graphic novel in this action-packed, heartfelt, and joyously funny series by Jamar Nicholas reminds readers that when it comes to being a hero, you just need to believe in yourself.

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Kirkus

A solid, action-filled comedy with a crucial message.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Superheroes and supervillains alike populate a fictional metropolitan city in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel by debut solo creator Nicholas (Fist Stick Knife Gun). Black fifth grader Leon only wants two things: to get a smartphone, and to be a superhero. Though he has no powers of his own, Leon and his comics enthusiast best friend Carlos, portrayed with brown skin and square specs, use well-crafted zingers and book smarts to contend with bullies at Guillaume Elementary School (“My common sense is tingling,” Leon says during a confrontation with a “jerk face” tormentor). When Leon’s former best friend Clementine, a shape-shifter whose parents are heroes, deploys a cruel prank on Leon, he gets discouraged. But after noticing his classmates obsessing over a mobile video game that’s turning them into zombies, he uses his common-sense skills to save his peers. Full-page spreads of supers fighting giant villainous plants—coupled with Leon’s internal dialogue, which is often presented as flowcharts, putting a meta spin on classic superhero narratives—are rendered in bold, poppy palettes. Nicholas’s innovative tale, brimming with fully fleshed out characters and bombastic battle sequences, is one to revisit again and again.

Copyright 2022 Publisher's Weekly LLC Used With Permission

Review quotes

This is a silly and fun-filled story with a heartwarming throughline about not needing special abilities to have an impact on one's community... A solid, action-filled comedy with a crucial message.Kirkus Reviews

Jamar Nicholas delivers an engaging story about finding your own power... an uplifting read. — Book Riot

Praise for Fist Stick Knife Gun, illustrated by Jamar Nicholas:

This is exactly the sort of broadly appealing and gripping nonfiction graphic novel that librarians need to be adding to their shelves. — Publishers Weekly

Jamar Nicholas is a master of his craft — his drawings are full of life and truly stunning. — Bryan Lee O'Malley, creator of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Jamar Nicholas
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Jamar Nicholas is an award-winning artist and educator who has dedicated his career to helping young people realize the power of cartooning. Jamar aims to promote anti-bullying, healing, and kindness in his work. He enjoys the 1980s, podcasting, video games, and spending time with his family and pets.
Classification
-
ISBN-13
9781338744163
Lexile Measure
310
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Graphix
Publication date
October 04, 2022
Series
Leon
BISAC categories
JUV008020 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Superheroes
JUV008040 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Action & Adventure
JUV008110 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Humorous
Library of Congress categories
-

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