Speed Reader - (The Speed Reader) by Matthew Cody (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

When Zander Fast discovers an old book that gives him the power of super speed, he finds himself the last in a long line of heroes. But is the world ready for a hero right now? The Flash meets The Bad Guys in this all-new, action-packed graphic novel series from the award-winning creator of the Cat Ninja books!

Zander Fast is always last--last to complete an assignment, last to finish reading, and last to the bus. Even worse, his Great Uncle Merv is constantly embarrassing him with his cheesy catchphrases and tall-tale stories. But when Zander receives a mysterious book in the mail, all of that changes. Suddenly, Zander has the speed (and popularity) he's always wanted--and Uncle Merv's stories no longer seem so far-fetched.

Between navigating the perils of middle school and balancing his newfound powers with his studies, Zander, his best friend Tanya May, and his trusty dog Spike must protect their hometown as it transforms into a wacky world of ex-heroes and villains. Will a mind-controlling villain have his way with the people of Cape City? Or will a new generation of heroes emerge to defeat him?

Review Quotes

"The illustrations bring across the scenes with the needed emotions and give a slight reminder of past, superhero comics with occasional sound effects. The expressions on the characters add the last zest. The text is balanced with the images and flows well. It's a fun beginning to what promises to be a quick-paced series for superhero fans."
(Bookworm for Kids)

"Readers will revel in the narrative's breezy, comedic tone, which relays high-octane adventure with aplomb and emphasizes reading as a tool for knowledge and power." (Publishers Weekly)

"Tongue-in-cheek super-fun"
(Kirkus Reviews)

About the Author

Matthew Cody is the author of several popular books, including the award-winning Supers of Noble's Green trilogy: Powerless, Super, and Villainous and the bestselling Cat Ninja series. He is also the author of Will in Scarlet and The Dead Gentleman, as well as the graphic novels Zatanna and the House of Secrets and The Bright Family. He lives in Manhattan, New York, with his wife and son.

Zack Giallongo is a professional cartoonist, cheese enthusiast, and amateur banjoist. His 2012 graphic novel, Broxo, was a New York Times bestseller.