For young readers grappling with finding their place and discovering extraordinary potential within, this book explores what it means to be truly "super."
A parent might reach for this book when their young teen feels like an outsider, grappling with personal changes that make them feel different from their peers. Super Human uses the thrilling lens of science fiction to explore the intense pressures of adolescence. After a mysterious event grants superpowers to every human under twenty, teens must navigate their new abilities while being hunted by a sinister organization. The story dives into themes of identity, responsibility, and the struggle to find belonging when you feel dangerously unique. It’s an action-packed read ideal for teens who love superhero stories but will resonate with any young person figuring out their place in the world.
Scenes of characters being hunted, captured, and experimented on. Tense, but not horror.
Sensitive Topics
The primary sensitive topics are violence and character death. The approach is typical for the YA action genre: violence is frequent but not gratuitous, focusing on superhero-style combat. Deaths occur, including among the teens, and are used to raise the stakes and motivate the protagonists. The approach is secular. The resolution is hopeful for the main characters' immediate survival but leaves the larger conflict open-ended, setting up the rest of the series. The theme of "being different" is explored through the direct metaphor of superpowers.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is a 13 to 16-year-old who enjoys high-concept, fast-paced action stories like The Maze Runner or The Hunger Games. They are likely fans of superhero movies (especially the X-Men) and are drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. This book is perfect for a teen who is grappling with feelings of alienation or wrestling with changes in their own body and identity, as the superpower metaphor provides a safe and exciting framework to explore those feelings.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the action-movie level of violence and peril. Characters are hunted, captured, and some are killed. The book can be read cold, as the concepts are straightforward for fans of the genre. A good post-reading conversation could explore themes of responsibility, asking how one should use power or unique talents, and discussing the fear that often accompanies being different. A parent might be looking for this book after their teen expresses feelings of being an outcast or misunderstood. The trigger could be hearing their child say, "No one gets what it's like to be me," or seeing them withdraw because they feel different from their friends. The parent is looking for a book that validates those feelings of otherness while also being an engaging and empowering read.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12-13) will likely focus on the plot, the cool superpowers, and the clear good-versus-evil conflict. They will enjoy the fast pace and adventure. An older teen (14-17) is more likely to appreciate the nuances of the characters' moral choices, the themes of identity and government control, and the social allegory of a powerful but persecuted minority group.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many superhero stories that focus on a single chosen one, Super Human presents a worldwide phenomenon, exploring the societal and political ramifications of an entire generation gaining powers. Its strength lies in grounding the fantastic concept in the relatable anxieties of high school life, making the internal struggles with identity, friendship, and trust just as important as the external battles.
Read plot summary
A mysterious global event called "the Change" grants superpowers to everyone under the age of twenty. The story follows several teens, primarily Lance, as they discover and learn to control their new abilities, ranging from telekinesis to super strength. Their excitement quickly turns to fear when a shadowy organization begins hunting them down, viewing them as threats to be controlled or eliminated. The teens must band together, confronting not only external enemies but also the moral dilemmas and personal costs of their newfound powers.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In the book, some characters want to hide their powers while others want to use them openly. Which approach do you think is smarter? What would you do if you were in Lance or Abby's position?
2
Roz, one of the adult characters, has a very different view of the 'supers' than the organization hunting them. Do you think her methods are justified? Is she a hero or just another person trying to control them?
3
The 'Change' affects everyone under twenty differently. How do the specific powers a character gets (like Krystal's or Thunder's) reflect their personality or inner struggles?
4
The book explores the idea that great power can be isolating. Why do you think the characters still feel lonely even after they find a group of people just like them?
