Boxcar Children! And Betsy and Tacey?

Oh, how I loved the Boxcar Children!

I must've read the Boxcar Children 20 times.

Back to Superpowers. My comments spoil for which character get which power, but as that info is on the back cover, I am not going to spoiler-font. However, be aware!

I realized somewhat belatedly that the African-American getting the power of invisibility was not random. Yes, even tho Knut showed us Xavier "taking a Ralph Ellison book out of his locker," I remained oblivious. Until I finished the story and started thinking about the book.

I also was struck by the similarities of Caroline and her mother to someone I know, someone I describe as "flighty."

Of all the heroes, only Charlie can't really turn his powers on and off (well, Jack can't either, but his power affects him physically more than changing who he is. Same with Mary Beth). So after they get their powers, we never see "normal Charlie" again. Brilliant work, then, to start us off with normal Charlie and his POV. And brilliant to have him "doing his usual thing, sitting off to one side and listening to the conversations of the others."

Jack and Mary Beth don't seem to quite fit this mold. I guess it's the power of irony with MB, as she's diminutive and retiring. And same with Jack, maybe? The stereotype of the slow farm boy reversed?

I also appreciate the total whitebread names of the heroes. Very traditional comic book.

Also, mental blocking, but what is the name of the little girl who lives in a hotel and gets to boss the grownups around. Written by a showgirl with a Dorthy Parker complex back in the 50's or 60s but witty enough to pull it off. In sequels the little girl goes to Paris, and Russia, and there is one at Christmas. They made some movies based on her. Both a good suggestion and I'm going crazy not remembering the character name and title.

I remembered. Eloise by Kay Thompson! And Kay Thompson also directed, did standup, played the piano.

The character of Eloise was based on Liza Minelli.

I realized somewhat belatedly that the African-American getting the power of invisibility was not random.

Yeah, that was a great touch. I don't know if David S ever drops by anymore, but I dug his book a lot. I've been meaning to review it, but my time's been at a premium recently.

George and Martha are a great pre-reader/primer book.

A great read aloud is How I Became A Pirate by Melinda Long.

I also found kids love I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato.

I also found kids love I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato.

Heh, someone should get a copy of that for Nilly.

he character of Eloise was based on Liza Minelli

Really? the story I heard was that it was based on Kay Thompson herself. She was late for a rehearsal and when the director challenged her as to why she felt entitled to come in late,she replied (in a child's voice) "because my name is Eloise and I'm six years old". Come to think of it, that was not incompatible with it being based on LM depending on Kay's opinion of LM.