Chapter Book - Melvin Beederman

We love Melvin Beederman.  This is one of my son's favorite chapter book series ( and one of my favorites, too!) There are seven books in the series so far. The reason I love this series is because the superhero is just a regular boy. He's not super talented, not super good looking, and not super agile either. But seems super nice and super smart. His superhero powers come from his cape, as well as his superhero education. He adheres closely to the "code" of superhero conduct.

Melvin graduates from Superhero Academy, top of his class, despite his difficulties getting off the ground.  He is sent to Los Angeles, of all places, for his first assignment.  It's a rather lonely life being a boy superhero in a city the size of Los Angeles.  Through a series of mishaps a young girl accidentally gets his cape, and becomes a superhero. There's some tension about him getting the cape back (my son was very concerned that the girl would keep the cape and Melvin would no longer be a superhero) but superheros don't give up. In fact, the girl, Candace, and Melvin become friends - and eventually partners.

What's wonderful about this series is that it is funny in a old-fashioned tongue-in-cheek\ way.  The feel is an old 50's superhero melodrama ("Will our intrepid hero be able to save the day?") on black and white t.v.  Every superhero has a weakness, but the weakness is so funny and unexpected that it becomes hilarious and nonthreatening for someone reading the story (hint, bologna). The villains are hilarious both in name and character. None of them are too mean or vicious for this story, but annoying enough you root for Melvin.

He and his new friend, Candace, become partners by cutting the cape in half and each wearing one.  Melvin helps Candace with her math homework, and Candace helps him on his mission.  It's a wonderful contrast that she's the athletic one, with no problems getting into the air to fly, and he's the academic one with tremendous difficulty getting into the air. I like that there is a girl superhero in here, and the idea that anyone can be a superhero, so long as they have a cape and follow the code. Seems very inclusive.

The only issue with the book is that Melvin is a boy, living alone (all alone), with no parents. There's no back story on his parents.  My son was a bit concerned about this. But with a little discussion about suspension of disbelief, and understanding the magic of making up your own story, he moved past it.  Highly recommended.