The Great Cape Rescue (The Society of Super Secret Heroes, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Phyllis Shalant (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

As fourth grade begins for Fin and his three buddies, they’re afraid their days of playing superheroes are over. But “something” is telling them to form a club—a secret society. When the magical power reveals itself and boasts that it can “turn ordinary mortals into extraordinary ones,” the Secret Superheroes are ready for their first missions: thwarting the school bullies and saving the class hermit crabs. Inspired by the coolest heroes of all time, from the Justice League to Spider-Man, here is a hilarious, heartfelt story about four friends who will never be ordinary again.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—Finch and his buddies have always enjoyed playing superheroes, but now that they're in fourth grade, they worry that it may seem babyish. Then, the costume cape that Finch has played with since kindergarten begins talking to him. It claims to be an ancient Arabian Thinking Cape, capable of endowing its Master with extraordinary powers. The boys form the Society of Super Secret Heroes and resolve to use the cape's magic to help others, secretly solving problems through brains rather than brawn. With the cape's advice and assistance, the SSSH members help reconcile two quarreling friends and plan a huge surprise party to help a new teacher feel welcome. Unfortunately, the class bully is determined to force Finch into a fight, whether it takes insults, threatening the class pets, or even stealing the cape itself. This genial fantasy emphasizes individual courage and initiative. Although the cape talks like a fabulous being straight out of the Arabian Nights, its actual powers are fairly limited, forcing the boys to do most of the real work. Relationships realistically reflect the changes kids go through between primary and early intermediate grades. There is plenty of playground humor, including the gross-out variety supplied by plastic vomit and other noxious substances. The black-and-white sketches are amusing as well. Longer than most early chapter books, this selection is a worthwhile choice for transition readers anxious to tackle a "big book."—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

It looks like a secondhand towel, but when Finch wears the cape he found at a garage sale, it seems to talk to him (and to his three best buddies), helping the four new fourth-graders handle schoolyard bullies and problems at home. Though the kids take "the Oath," to solve problems by thinking instead of fighting, the story isn't messagey. Thinking Cape's intervention offers more sly, secret tricks than comfort; in fact, Thinking Cape can sometimes be annoying, oversensitive, sad, and bossy. Stories of famous superheroes and their powerful capes, from Sinbad to Superman to Harry Potter, are an entertaining part of the telling. In what is clearly the first of a series, Shalant brings kids' fantasies into ordinary life, and whether Finch is planning a surprise birthday party for his shy new teacher or dealing with his divorced dad and new sibling, this will entertain kids who like stories about regular kids who turn superhero--even if they don't do it all by themselves. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (April 19, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525474048
• ISBN-13: 978-0525474043
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,115,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, especially appealing to boys, July 17, 2007

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Cape Rescue (The Society of Super Secret Heroes, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Finch and his pals love to play superheroes, but since they are starting fourth grade, they fear it is time to grow up and quit playing this babyish game. Just as they put away their capes for good, something tells Finch his superhero days aren't over. When he decides to listen to this inner voice that tells him he and his friends can be extraordinary, the Society of Super Secret Heroes is born.

This is a cute story of boys being boys, but going beyond themselves to make life better for others...all in secret. This book is fast paced and fun and will keep kids turning pages. There is also an interesting use of exotic language which can work expand your child's vocabulary. The kids in the story are multicultural and their lives are just unique enough to not be cliche. However...

Though this is an entertaining story and could well keep kids reading, it won't be for everyone. The story is chock full of pop culture. There are many references to TV, movies, video games and computer usage that not all children are allowed or exposed to.

Finch, the main character, is from a broken home and has issues with his dad and his dad's new family. Though it is handled tastefully (and could be expressing very realistic feelings of / to children living the situation), and even provides some teachable moments, not all parents would want their children to begin to worry that this could happen to them. Finch also sneaks onto the computer while his mom is sleeping. Though he uses it for educational purposes, I didn't like the precedent set that it is okay to hide from your parents what you do on the computer. I realize that I tend towards overprotective and not all parents will agree with me on these points.

If you are looking for a basically clean, fun read, especially for boys, this could be the book for you.

Armchair Interviews says: Just be aware that you may not like all of the morals promoted in this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars totally boy, October 22, 2011

By 

Donna Rohling - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Great Cape Rescue (The Society of Super Secret Heroes, Book 1) (Hardcover)

I bought two copies of this book as it seemed like a book to encourage and interest young male readers. One copy was for the elementary school library and the other was for my grandsons. I haven't read all of this book yet as my grandsons took their copy home with them, but the portion I read seemed interesting for young male readers. I can't rate it 5 stars as I haven't finished it yet. We will be visiting my grandsons soon and I'll finish reading it there.