Solving Crimes Is NOT My Superpower

By Author / Illustrator

Nathanael Lessore, illus Simran Diamond Singh

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Tiger

ISBN

9781788956642

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-03-2025

Synopsis

Controlling the wind, smelling fear, farting colours... The people of Walsham can do it all! The WHOLE TOWN has been granted powers by a mysterious treasure, except for Sara. She can't even levitate a squirrel! But the school football trophy (and her best friend's lucky charm) has been stolen, and powers or no powers, it's up to her to find it and catch the criminal. And who knows - maybe Sara will discover her super skills in the process... (She certainly hopes she will!).

A laugh-out-loud series about all the different ways of being extraordinary, perfect for fans of PIZAZZ, SAM WU and MARV.

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Reviews

Beverley

When Valkro Strapp leaves a mysterious treasure in the town of Walsham, the inhabitants all develop special powers - except for 10-year-old Sara. She longs to be like everyone else, but her superpower has never manifested itself. Can solving the mystery of the missing football trophy - and the strange things happening in the town - help her unlock her superpower?

Solving Crimes Is NOT My Superpower is a well-written and engaging story. It is very funny and we meet a lovely cast of characters. Despite her lack of powers, Sara is clever and resourceful, and proves herself to be a true heroine, even putting herself in danger to find the missing trophy. She is helped along the way by her friends, football-mad Georgie and Javier, who seems to be afraid of everything.

The book is fast-paced and the reader is swept into a world full of magic, mystery and adventure. There are many laugh-out-loud moments which will be enjoyed by any reader. Friendship and celebrating difference are at the heart of this clever little novel; Sara and her friends are hugely supportive of each other and make a truly formidable team. We learn that there are many ways to be a hero, and not all of them require superpowers.

Packed full of fun, and with lots of twists and turns, this would make a wonderful classroom reader. The illustrations, by Simran Diamond Singh, are a perfect addition to the text. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to finding out what happens to Sara next. I also really, really need to find out what superpower Javier has…!

192 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian