The super life of Ben Braver by Marcus Emerson
Allen & Unwin, 2018. ISBN 9781760631680
(Age: 8-10)
Themes: Boarding schools. Heroes. Bullying. Courage
Marcus Emerson, author of the popular 'Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja'
introduces us to a new sarcastic superhero sixth-grader Ben Braver.
After a boring summer hanging out in the basement watching the
sixties Batman shows in his basement, Ben's life changes when he
goes out in search of a peanut butter cup. Confronted by the school
bully Dexter Dunn, Ben's special superpowers are unleashed. This
manifestation hospitalises Ben and on waking up he's sent to Kepler
Academy a unique school for kids with superpowers. When he gets
there he finds most of the time is spent learning to control a super
power, not develop it. This is a commitment as he has to have no
contact with his parents while he's away.
Ben's diary is hilarious with plenty of asides, funny one-liners,
jokes and comments directed at the reader. He expresses his fears
and anxieties, unsure of how he fits in with the other academy
students. Penny who can control small animals, and fire-belching Noah
become great friends, they investigate the mystery of the ghost in
Ben's dorm room and help Ben come to understand his powers. School
life is filled with exciting classes, eccentric teachers, encounters
with the school goat and midnight adventures. Bullies Dexter and
Vic's evil trick at the Talent Show brings Ben to a crossroads, as
he decides whether to return home or dig deep and learn to be
resilient.
Emerson's cartoons add to the comedy and fun of this superhero
story, there's his eccentric teachers, silly antics and mysterious
meetings in the wood. The super life of Ben Braver includes plenty
of 80's references suited to adult readers sharing this story with
their pre-teens, or teachers reading to classes. Marcus Emerson's
middle grade novel begins slowly and builds up the pace, leaving us
with questions unanswered, Emerson will bring his superhero Ben back
in a second and third instalment.
Rhyllis Bignell