A heroic series debut with a STEM focus that young readers can connect with. Recommended for comic fans, and for libraries as a solid option for open choice reading time.
Language, violence, and sexual content will likely attract bans and challenges, but it’s a worthwhile fight, as Bush’s social realism combined with insightful representation will appeal strongly to teens eager to see themselves and their struggles represented accurately, particularly those teens who may have been steered toward athletics despite academic potential.
With a realistic and uplifting–if not completely happy–ending, the story moves quickly. The language, casual drug use, and smoking are part of the era, and part of the book.