A major middle-grade graphic novel series that follows the adventures of an ordinary kid in a world where superheroes are common, who has to call upon his power of common sense to save the day when the rest of the school becomes obsessed with a game that might be more sinister than it first appears.
LEON THE EXTRAORDINARY #1
by Jamar Nicholas
Scholastic, Spring 2022
In Leon’s world, superheroes are common as teachers or dentists—at Leon’s school, they come to Career Day alongside comic book artists and chefs! But being a superhero is anything but ordinary for kids like Leon, without powers. Surprise ambushes from villains can ruin a school trip, and superhero kids have a pretty unfair advantage in gym class. Though Leon’s keen common sense is practically a power unto itself, it’s not always effective against super-bullies… Until kids at school suddenly become obsessed with a new game. Even some of the super-kids seem trapped by flashing lights on their phone. As Leon swings into action, figuring out what’s taking over the school and his town, his common sense – and a few secrets he’ll discover hiding in plain sight – may become more powerful than he ever imagined.
Jamar Nicholas is an award-winning artist and educator, who dedicates his career to helping young people realize the power of visual narrative. Jamar aims to bring awareness to anti-bullying, healing, and positive images of people of color with the idea that everyone can be a hero. He is a columnist for DRAW! and hosts the Pencil To Pencil Podcast with industry legends Mike Manley and Bret Blevins.
Clip and Sadie Chu couldn’t be more different. Popular, athletic Clip wants to become his school’s first seventh-grade soccer captain, while brainy star student Sadie is determined to prove that she can do anything her boastful brother can.
Magic is harder than it looks. Now that Moth has discovered the secret family history at the heart of Founder’s Bluff, it’s time to adjust to her life as a beginner-level witch. She gets more and more fed-up with her basement-low middle school status and the daily mocking that comes with it, until she discovers a powerful charm that can basically turn her “cool.” And it works! But there’s a catch. An ancient, demonic catch. The charm releases a cool, but wicked and tricky Shadow Moth who only wants to take over Moth’s life. With the help of the Shadow, Moth acquires new, cool friends, totally owns her bullies, and gets a chance at the coveted Founderella crown, the ultimate symbol of Founder’s Bluff popularity. Will Moth get everything she thought she ever wanted? Or will Shadow Moth eat her first?