LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
It’s a superhero book, folks, but not as we know it. Murph, star of this funny and good-natured series by Greg James and Chris Smith, is different from most of the kids at his school in that he doesn’t have superpowers. However, there’s a lot to be said for teamwork, and as leader of the Super Zeroes, he’s discovered a way to be heroic without the powers.
Have he and his compadres met their match though in the thoroughly unscrupulous supervillain Magpie? As ever it’s a fast-moving caper packed with jokes and humour, and thoroughly satisfying from beginning to end. Erica Salcedo deserves special mention too for her energetic and distinctive black and white illustrations.
One to recommend to fans of David Solomons’ My Brother is a Super-Hero series and Danny Wallace’s Hamish books.
Reviewed by Andrea ReeceAndrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece About Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine
The third book in the bestselling, award-winning, laugh-out-loud funny Kid Normal series by Greg James and Chris Smith.
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About
Kid Normal and the Shadow Machine Synopsis
The third book in the bestselling, award-winning, laugh-out-loud funny Kid Normal series by Greg James and Chris Smith.
YOU DON'T NEED SUPERPOWERS TO BE A HERO ... Or do you? Despite having no powers, Murph Cooper is part of the best team in the Heroes' Alliance. So when supervillain Magpie declares all-out war, Kid Normal and the Super Zeroes lead the charge. But Magpie believes that a powerless hero is no hero at all. And he's building a dastardly device to prove it. When Kid Normal enters the Shadow Machine, THE WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME ...
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781408898901 |
| Publication date: |
21st March 2019 |
| Author: |
Greg James, Chris Smith |
| Illustrator: |
Erica Salcedo |
| Publisher: |
Bloomsbury Childrens Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
379 pages |
| Series: |
Kid Normal |
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Press Reviews
Greg James, Chris Smith Press Reviews
Praise for Kid Normal:
So funny, it's almost criminal - Independent I
Outrageous capers for eight and up ... Amusingly surreal super-powers and a trust yourself message combine to strong effect with Erica Salcedo's entertaining, huge-eyed images - Guardian
An extraordinary tale about an ordinary boy in a world of heroes ... A fast-paced, humorous adventure with likeable heroes and a suitably ridiculous, evil villain - Times Educational Supplement
This spoof superhero epic certainly delivers: deliciously dastardly villains, capes, tights and mild-mannered heroes. Yet it also explores familiar school anxieties that everyone else is smarter, stronger, better – BookTrust
Chock full of slapstick humour, outrageous characters and pop culture references. It mocks school pecking orders and will make all kids who have fallen foul of them feel much better about it. And somehow, it ties all the mania together in a credible and thrilling story – The Bookbag
Author
About Greg James, Chris Smith
Greg James is the host of Radio 1's Drivetime show and the Official Chart. He is also a familiar face on TV, and in February he completed his #GREGATHLON - five triathlons in five different cities on five consecutive days - raising over GBP1,000,000 for Sport Relief. In 2014 he won Gold for 'Best Entertainment Show' at the last ever Radio Academy Awards, which arguably makes him the most entertaining radio presenter in perpetuity. Greg has no superpowers. In his spare time he enjoys the idea of having hobbies. But in reality, he's made all of them into work.
Chris Smith is an award-winning journalist and radio presenter, most frequently heard as the voice of Radio 1's Newsbeat as well as hosting shows on BBC Radio 5 Live. Chris enjoyed a previous, and glittering, literary career as the winner of the H.E. Bates Short Story Competition 1981 (under 10s section) with his tale Where Are the Brandy Snaps? Chris has no superpowers either. His hobbies include screen printing and self-effacement. Follow Chris Smith on Twitter here.
Together on Greg's show and in their weekly podcast, Chris and Greg are responsible for some of radio's most ludicrous games and characters, which genuinely wouldn't make any sense if we tried to explain them here ...
Authors photo © Jenny Smith
More About Greg James, Chris Smith
