Powerless by Matthew Cody
Sample Reading Journal Entries
by Mr. Hodgson
I chose this book, Powerless by Matthew Cody, because another teacher had read it and recommended that I read it. I like how the story revolves around a young boy who lives in a town that is protected by young superheroes. One twist to the story is that the young heroes lose all of their powers when they turn 13. But the main character -- Daniel -- does not have any powers, so I imagine that the author is going to set up the plot in a way that allows Daniel to do something spectacular. Plus, I like the cover the book. It reminds me of the comic books I used to read all the time as a kid.
"We don't know how we got these powers, and we don't know how we lose them." -- Rohan.

I found this quote to be interesting because it is right at the start of the book when Daniel, new to the town of Noble's Green (The Safest Town on Earth), discovers that his new friends have superpowers. One can fly. Another has heightened senses. Another has the power of electricity. The kids tell Daniel that there are four "Rules" that get passed down from each generation of super kids, but they lose their powers and completely forget anything when they turn 13 years old. (One of the rules is that you can't let the adults know that you have superpowers.) It makes me wonder what will happen when one of Daniel's friends turn 13. What will happen?

This book already brings back some memories of me, as a kid. I used to read and collect comic books. I had hundreds of them, and I remember I often wondered what it would be like to have superpowers. At the start of the book, Daniel is sort of like that, too. The novel opens with him looking at a picture he has drawn of him flying, with the words "You Can Fly" printed on the poster. But Daniel slowly convinces himself that nothing magical will ever happen to him, until he moves to the new town. So, comic books form Daniel's view of the world, just as comic books used to fuel my own imagination as a kid. That may be why I still love graphic novels so much, too.
I have a few questions that I am wondering about with this book: Does Daniel have a superpower that he doesn't know about? If so, that might make for an interesting twist at an important moment in the book. What will happen when Daniel's new friends lose their powers? Will Daniel have to step up, since he will be the only one to "remember" that they had powers before they turned 13 years old? Who made the "rules" that the kids follow? Why did the author name the book "Powerless" if there are so many characters who have superpowers?
Why I Chose this Book
Using a Quote
Memory Prompt
Questions