As a fellow reader, I already have a list of books to read in 2022, and a list of books to recommend. Top on my list to recommend is the new middle grade series featuring Cole Champion, a regular kid who attends a not so regular school. (Think Sky High meets Big Hero 6.) These books include three features certain to grab the attention of all middle grade readers: superheroes, STEM, and excitement. 

COLE CHAMPION IS NOT SUPER: Hi, I’m Cole Champion, and oh-so-very lucky (as my mom’s constantly reminding me) to attend the prestigious Honor, Endurance, Restore, Optimism Junior High. My mom’s the principal of HERO Junior High, which is why I’m stuck going there―and sticking out like a sore thumb. How am I supposed to keep up when my classmates can lift cars, become invisible, or break the sound barrier? At least I can excel in science class, where my love of STEM―that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math―comes in handy. But science class takes a turn for the worse when the antics of my super-strong classmate put the school in danger. And it seems none of the other students’ powers can help. That’s where I come in!

COLE CHAMPION TAKES ON THE VILLAINS: Hi, I’m Cole Champion, and I’m finally finding my place at HERO Junior High. But now the villains have arrived. Every two years, my school’s heroes-in-training test their powers against the villains-in-training from WICKED Junior High. It’s bad enough that I have to keep my lack of powers a secret. But some of the villains-in-training are acting suspicious, and it doesn’t seem like they’re here to play fair. To figure out what’s going on, I’ll need the help of my new friends. But as amazing as super-strong Boulder and plant-powered Thorn are, their powers are still limited. At least they’re used to working as a team . . . right?

MY THOUGHTS: I was lucky to get a sneak peek at the first book in the series and I was hooked from the very first paragraph. Superpowered kids and a nonsuperpowered boy who just happens to be the principal’s son thrown together in middle school. That is a recipe for conflict! And we get a taste of that right away as Cole and Boulder, a student with super strength, face off in the parking lot before school. It is our first look at what fuels this story. STEM versus superpowers.

Readers will love Cole, a clever and snarky character, as well as the supers he goes to school with. Thorn, Ghost, and Bolt. The Cole Champion books are, in part, about Cole proving that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics can be just as powerful as superpowers. But they are also stories about egos, friendships, and learning to work together. Readers also get involved as Cole uses his knowledge and are treated to a STEM lesson. The perfect ingredients for middle grade books.

Both books in the Cole Champion series are out now and can be purchased at the links below.

COLE CHAMPION IS NOT SUPER: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Indiebound

COLE CHAMPION TAKES ON THE VILLAINS: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Indiebound

Rebecca J. Allen writes middle grade stories that blend mystery and adventure and young adult stories with kick-butt heroines. Her middle grade mysteries Showtime Sabotage and Math Test Mischief were published under the pseudonym Verity Weaver. When not writing, she loves to rollerblade, hike, practice Pilates, or attempt to reclaim her garden from encroaching weeds. You can read more about her on her website.