For teens feeling overshadowed by a sibling or struggling with identity, this story explores finding your purpose, even without superpowers, in a hero-filled world.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen feels overshadowed by a sibling's success or is struggling to define their own worth. In a world full of superheroes, Claire has no powers, a tough situation when her older sister is a famous, powerful hero. This story follows Claire as she navigates intense jealousy, first love, and the pressure to be special. It's a light, contemporary fantasy that beautifully uses the superhero genre to explore the very real feelings of inadequacy and the journey to self-acceptance. It’s an excellent, relatable read for any teen who needs to see that their value isn't measured by spectacular talents but by their own unique character and contributions.
The core topic is identity and self-worth, explored directly through Claire's internal monologue and her sibling rivalry. The approach is secular and focused on emotional development. There is no major death, trauma, or other heavy sensitive content. The resolution is hopeful and affirming, as Claire comes to accept herself and her unique talents.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 13-16 years old, who feels like the "ordinary" one in a family of high achievers. This is for the reader struggling with feelings of jealousy toward a talented sibling or friend, who needs to see that their feelings are normal and that there's a path to self-acceptance. It's also perfect for fans of light superhero stories who are more interested in character dynamics than epic battles.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. It's a gentle and relatable story. A parent might prepare for conversations about jealousy, the fairness of talent distribution, and how to support a child who feels they are living in someone's shadow. The romantic content is very tame (crushes, kissing) and requires no special preparation. A parent hears their teen say, "I'll never be as good as my sister," or observes them consistently devaluing their own skills while comparing themselves to a sibling. The parent notices their child seems to feel invisible or is withdrawing from family activities where a sibling shines.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely connect most with the relatable sibling angst, the fun superhero setting, and the budding romance. An older teen (15-17) may appreciate the subtler themes more, such as the critique of hero worship, the pressure to have a defined "passion," and Claire's journey toward creating an identity on her own terms.
What Makes It Special
Unlike most superhero fiction that centers the hero, this book's unique strength is its focus on the person on the sidelines. It uses the fantasy genre as a powerful, direct metaphor for the common, real-world experience of sibling comparison and the search for identity. The low-stakes, character-driven plot makes it an accessible and emotionally resonant story rather than just another action-adventure.
Read plot summary
Claire is an "Adjacent," a regular person living in a world of superheroes. This is especially difficult because her older sister, Jess, is the popular, up-and-coming hero Kinetic. Feeling invisible and deeply jealous, Claire takes an internship at The Sentinel, a newspaper for Adjacents, hoping to get closer to the action. There, she connects with Matt, a fellow Adjacent, while also developing a crush on a mysterious new hero, Boy Wonder. The story follows Claire as she navigates this love triangle, her complicated family dynamics, and a minor mystery, ultimately forcing her to find her own definition of strength and worth outside of her sister's shadow.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Claire feels 'powerless' because she lacks superpowers. What non-super abilities (like her investigative skills or empathy) does she have? How does her definition of power change by the end?
2
Claire's jealousy of her sister Jess is a major part of the story. Do you think Jess was aware of how her success affected Claire? In what ways could they have communicated better with each other?
3
Claire’s internship at The Sentinel helps her find a purpose outside of her sister's world. How did her work and her relationships there help her build a new identity for herself?
4
Both Matt and Boy Wonder keep secrets from Claire. Compare their reasons for doing so. Do you think their secrecy was justified? How did it affect Claire's ability to trust them?
