235-236. Captain Awesome Takes a Dive & Captain Awesome, Soccer Star by Stan Kirby.

235. Captain Awesome Takes a Dive by Stan Kirby. Illustrated by George O'Connor
Captain Awesome, #4

Rating: (4/5)

(Kindle) - (US) - (Canada) - (UK)

Jun. 5, 2012, Little Simon, 117 pgs

Age: 5+

"It’s summertime in Sunnyview and Eugene McGillicudy is off to the pool for swimming lessons. It doesn’t take long for Eugene's superhero alter ego, Captain Awesome, to find a list of reasons why he must defend his swimming class from a cast of comical “bad guys.” MI TEE! While Captain Awesome is busy saving the Sunnyview pool along with Nacho Cheese Man and sidekick Turbo, will he find time to tackle a dive into the deep end before summer ends?"

Received a review copy from Simon & Schuster Canada.

This series continues to impress me.  A first chapter book aimed at 5-7 year olds it is suitable for that age group and both advanced youngsters and reluctant older readers as the age or grade of the children is hardly, if ever, mentioned.  My son has outgrown this series now, but being learning challenged he did read it up to 12yo and enjoyed it.  I read this one on my own and like the others found it to be extremely fast paced.  Each chapter is exciting, the comedy is humorous, a value is learned (specifically here to face your fears) and as usual George O'Connor is a splendid cartoonist.  The books are formulaic and contain the same characters which brings familiarity which is needed at this level of reading.  A new character appears for this book.  A fun-loving teenage life-saver/swim teacher who says "dude" all the time.  Love him!  Fun series aimed at boys.


236. Captain Awesome, Soccer Star  by Stan Kirby.  Illustrated by George O'Connor
Captain Awesome, No. 5

Rating: (4/5)

(Kindle) - (US) - (Canada) - (UK)

Aug. 28, 2012, Little Simon, 115 pgs

Age: 5+

"It’s soccer season in Sunnyview and Captain Awesome and Nacho Cheese Man are ready to play! All superheroes are spectacular at sports...right?
Eugene McGillicudy and Charlie Thomas Jones can’t wait to join Sunnyview’s eight-year-old soccer team. These superhero pals have no doubt that they will lead the team to victory. MI-TEE!But when Captain Awesome’s (aka Eugene’s) soccer skills prove to be less than super and his dad decides to coach the team, Captain Awesome starts to wonder if the Sunnyview Megabytes have what it takes to defeat the Westville Kickers."

Received a review copy from Simon & Schuster Canada.

Following in the same vein as previous books in this series, Eugene and Charlie fill each chapter with non-stop action making for a speedy, exciting non-stop read that tugs at what appeals to boys.  Fun story with a value learned.  Eugene loves soccer and joins up only to find one catastrophe after another: his dad is coach, the team is co-ed meaning Meredith is there, he can't kick the ball without fulling over, the evil WHISTLEBLOWER is the referee and he receives a yellow card when he arrives on the field in his Captain Awesome uniform.  After this final strategy it is his best friend that makes him realize that he, Eugene McGillicudy, is the super hero, not the cape.  Even without the cape and the costume he can still stop the evil from eviling!  Captain Awesome is always fast-paced and fun!  Highly recommended for new chapterbook readers of all ages.

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