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Pizazz #1
Pizazz
The first in a super (like, actually, with powers and stuff) NEW series for 7+ readers from the amazingly talented illustrator and author Sophy Henn! Brimming with Sophy's hilarious signature illustrations, this is the perfect read for fans of Dork Diaries, Tom Gates, Amelia Fang, Wimpy Kid and Dog Man.
“A SPECTACULAR superhero story that fizzes with fun on every page!” – Liz Pichon, author of the bestselling TOM GATES series.
Being a superhero is the best thing ever, right? WRONG!
HELLO! My name is Pizazz and I’m a superhero…
You probably think that's really AWESOME and while it can be, it's also REEEEEEEAAALLLLY annoying.
Don’t believe me? Well, I have to wear the same outfit ALL THE TIME?! I'm always dashing off to save the world right in the middle of fun stuff. Plus I have to be the good guy even when I might not want to be. And sometimes I just want to be, well, normal.
You see, it’s not easy being SUPER …
PS. DON’T even ask me about my super “POWER”…
“Blocky comic-style panels, a fire-farting granddad and a conservationist message make for accessible, quirky reading” – The Guardian, Children’s Book of the Month
“Sophy Henn’s funny new series […] a witty and original reminder that superheroes are human too” – The Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week
“Sophy Henn’s lively, energetic story should be a hit with anyone who finds it hard to fit in” – The Financial Times
“Full-page illustrations, comic-strip sequences, quirky typography and dramatic chapter openers ensure this book will appeal to more reluctant readers” – The i
“Perfect for fans of her previous series Bad Nana, with the same level of illustration and zany text throughout” – Booktrust
“A SPECTACULAR superhero story that fizzes with fun on every page!” – Liz Pichon, author of the bestselling TOM GATES series.
Being a superhero is the best thing ever, right? WRONG!
HELLO! My name is Pizazz and I’m a superhero…
You probably think that's really AWESOME and while it can be, it's also REEEEEEEAAALLLLY annoying.
Don’t believe me? Well, I have to wear the same outfit ALL THE TIME?! I'm always dashing off to save the world right in the middle of fun stuff. Plus I have to be the good guy even when I might not want to be. And sometimes I just want to be, well, normal.
You see, it’s not easy being SUPER …
PS. DON’T even ask me about my super “POWER”…
“Blocky comic-style panels, a fire-farting granddad and a conservationist message make for accessible, quirky reading” – The Guardian, Children’s Book of the Month
“Sophy Henn’s funny new series […] a witty and original reminder that superheroes are human too” – The Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week
“Sophy Henn’s lively, energetic story should be a hit with anyone who finds it hard to fit in” – The Financial Times
“Full-page illustrations, comic-strip sequences, quirky typography and dramatic chapter openers ensure this book will appeal to more reluctant readers” – The i
“Perfect for fans of her previous series Bad Nana, with the same level of illustration and zany text throughout” – Booktrust
208 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2021
13 people are currently reading
2031 people want to read
About the author
Sophy Henn
66 books44 followersSophy Henn (www.sophyhenn.com) lives and works in Sussex, England. She studied Fashion at Central Saint Martins, accidentally had a London based career as an Art Director in advertising, then completed an MA at University of Brighton in Illustration. Now she writes and illustrates children's books in her studio, with a large cup of tea by her side, and can't quite believe her luck. WHERE BEAR? is her first book. Follow @sophyhenn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 16, 2021
A fun read, with a main character who’s not super good at everything. As a matter of fact, it’s her little sister, Red, that was good with many things so Pizazz found her annoying. Pizazz wore her cape to school and general people are aware of her being a superhero. That meant she doesn’t change into a different costume when she zoom off to save the world. The surprising thing was even though she’s a superhero, she was teased by a popular girl just like any normal non-superhero person. This book contradicts everything you knew about superheroes. But because our Pizazz, a superhero of 9.5 years old, so it’s understandable that she would want to be doing normal kids stuffs than save the world and fighting evil.
This book followed a girl named Pizazz, a superhero among a family of superheroes. Pizazz didn’t like her name and thought her superpower was embarrassing. Her list of pros and cons for being a superhero.. well let just say the list of cons were much longer. Then she started at a new school after her family moved. It was hard at first until she became Eco Monitor. Her challenge was to save a park from turning into a commercial parking lot. She wanted to be normal and live a normal life but she thought she was neither good at being normal nor a superhero.
Pizazz was well written and a fast paced read. Pizazz, a superhero with a magnet for unlucky incidents. She usually pick the short straw among her family members and ending up covered in nasty liquids from fighting villains. I liked how when she’s face with a challenge, she enlisted helps. This story influence young readers that teamwork are better than one and the support from others can open doors to more solutions. I like Pizazz’s big family and how each one has a role in helping each other. I liked Pizazz’s journey to making a friend. An action and adventures read and I recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
This book followed a girl named Pizazz, a superhero among a family of superheroes. Pizazz didn’t like her name and thought her superpower was embarrassing. Her list of pros and cons for being a superhero.. well let just say the list of cons were much longer. Then she started at a new school after her family moved. It was hard at first until she became Eco Monitor. Her challenge was to save a park from turning into a commercial parking lot. She wanted to be normal and live a normal life but she thought she was neither good at being normal nor a superhero.
Pizazz was well written and a fast paced read. Pizazz, a superhero with a magnet for unlucky incidents. She usually pick the short straw among her family members and ending up covered in nasty liquids from fighting villains. I liked how when she’s face with a challenge, she enlisted helps. This story influence young readers that teamwork are better than one and the support from others can open doors to more solutions. I like Pizazz’s big family and how each one has a role in helping each other. I liked Pizazz’s journey to making a friend. An action and adventures read and I recommend everyone to read this book!
xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.
October 25, 2021
Als Sophy Henn boeken schreef toen ik 7+ was had ik ze allemaal willen hebben. Wat vind ik het fijne boeken! De humor, het verhaal, de illustraties, het heeft alles!
En deze heeft ook nog superhelden. Daar is veel vraag naar, en heel weinig boeken over/mee. Deze ga ik vaak aanraden, vermoed ik!
En deze heeft ook nog superhelden. Daar is veel vraag naar, en heel weinig boeken over/mee. Deze ga ik vaak aanraden, vermoed ik!
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November 25, 2023PIZAZZ nie jest łatwo być super (tom 1)
PIZAZZ, to superbohaterka z superbohaterskiej rodziny, tylko że jej supermoc jest (sama tak twierdzi) "żenująca". W pierwszym tomie dopiero na samym końcu czytelnik dowiaduje się, co to za supermoc, więc nie będę o niej pisać, zdradzać tajemnicy.
Nasza PIZAZZ jest nieszczęśliwą superbohaterką, którą poznajemy, gdy jej superrodzina postanawia się przeprowadzić bliżej superdziadków. To bardzo trudne dla PIZAZZ, musi zostawić szkołę i dwójkę przyjaciół, a jest osobą, która raczej z trudnością zyskuje nowych. Boi się wyzwań i samotności i zupełnie nie chce mówić o swojej "żenującej" supermocy.
PIZAZZ jest uosobieniem nastolatki, która czuje się nierozumiana i rozżalona, nie lubi siebie i uważa, że wszyscy są od niej lepsi, ciekawsi a ona ma zwyczajnie pecha w życiu. Musi walczyć z superzłolami i często jest to walka bardzo śmierdząca. Nikt jej za to nie ceni, a ona ma ochotę ze wstydu zapaść się pod ziemię.
Sophy Henn ładnie pokazała kłopoty dorastającej dziewczyny, która szuka akceptacji. Szczerze, gdy zaczynałam czytać ten komiks myślałam, że to tylko udawana superbohaterka, a tu zaskoczenie - komiks jest bardzo superbohaterki i to tak na serio - latanie na Plutona, ratowanie świata itd.
Kreska jest bardzo przyjemna. Podoba mi się PIZAZZ, jej wygląd jest zadziorny, ale i uroczy - to fajna dziewczyna. Niestety ta jej tajemnicza supermoc jest trochę rozczarowująca - spodziewałam się czegoś naprawdę WOW, a to takie trochę wymyślne, zbyt dziecinne, naiwne, ale ogólnie komiks bardzo ciekawy.
Pierwszy tom porusza ważny temat ochrony zielonych miejsc na naszej Ziemi i oczywiście problemów dziewczynki, która źle się czuje we własnej skórze.... bo NIE JEST ŁATWO BYĆ SUPER.
PIZAZZ kontra SUPER-DŻETT (tom 2)
Tom drugi kontynuuje przygody PIZAZZ, ale teraz w szkole pojawia się nowa superbohaterka o imieniu DŻETT. Nasza PIZAZZ musi (a przynajmniej tak uważa) udowodnić, że jest lepsza i fajniejsza. Trudną i napiętą sytuację potęgują POPULARNE DZIEWCZYNY, które proponują superbojedynek... oj będzie się dzieło.
Ten tom jest o rywalizacji, o zaspokajaniu oczekiwań innych, o tym, że szkoła czasem potrafi rodzić chorą rywalizację, a dzieci muszą sobie jakoś z tym radzić... a przecież i dorosły miałby trudno.
Oba tomy są na dobrym, takim samym poziomie. Polubiłam PIZAZZ i jej superrodzinkę. To całkiem fajnie wykreowany świat, z mądrym przesłaniem. Komiksy idealnie nadadzą się na prezent np. na Mikołaja.
PIZAZZ tom 1 i 2 zostały bardzo ładnie wydane, mają zgrabny format i sympatyczną kreskę. To dobra opowieść, która i bawi i uczy - mamy tiu całkiem urocze poczucie humoru.
SUPER być SOBĄ
PIZAZZ
tom 1 i 2
Wydawnictwo Wilga
egzemplarz recenzencki
PIZAZZ, to superbohaterka z superbohaterskiej rodziny, tylko że jej supermoc jest (sama tak twierdzi) "żenująca". W pierwszym tomie dopiero na samym końcu czytelnik dowiaduje się, co to za supermoc, więc nie będę o niej pisać, zdradzać tajemnicy.
Nasza PIZAZZ jest nieszczęśliwą superbohaterką, którą poznajemy, gdy jej superrodzina postanawia się przeprowadzić bliżej superdziadków. To bardzo trudne dla PIZAZZ, musi zostawić szkołę i dwójkę przyjaciół, a jest osobą, która raczej z trudnością zyskuje nowych. Boi się wyzwań i samotności i zupełnie nie chce mówić o swojej "żenującej" supermocy.
PIZAZZ jest uosobieniem nastolatki, która czuje się nierozumiana i rozżalona, nie lubi siebie i uważa, że wszyscy są od niej lepsi, ciekawsi a ona ma zwyczajnie pecha w życiu. Musi walczyć z superzłolami i często jest to walka bardzo śmierdząca. Nikt jej za to nie ceni, a ona ma ochotę ze wstydu zapaść się pod ziemię.
Sophy Henn ładnie pokazała kłopoty dorastającej dziewczyny, która szuka akceptacji. Szczerze, gdy zaczynałam czytać ten komiks myślałam, że to tylko udawana superbohaterka, a tu zaskoczenie - komiks jest bardzo superbohaterki i to tak na serio - latanie na Plutona, ratowanie świata itd.
Kreska jest bardzo przyjemna. Podoba mi się PIZAZZ, jej wygląd jest zadziorny, ale i uroczy - to fajna dziewczyna. Niestety ta jej tajemnicza supermoc jest trochę rozczarowująca - spodziewałam się czegoś naprawdę WOW, a to takie trochę wymyślne, zbyt dziecinne, naiwne, ale ogólnie komiks bardzo ciekawy.
Pierwszy tom porusza ważny temat ochrony zielonych miejsc na naszej Ziemi i oczywiście problemów dziewczynki, która źle się czuje we własnej skórze.... bo NIE JEST ŁATWO BYĆ SUPER.
PIZAZZ kontra SUPER-DŻETT (tom 2)
Tom drugi kontynuuje przygody PIZAZZ, ale teraz w szkole pojawia się nowa superbohaterka o imieniu DŻETT. Nasza PIZAZZ musi (a przynajmniej tak uważa) udowodnić, że jest lepsza i fajniejsza. Trudną i napiętą sytuację potęgują POPULARNE DZIEWCZYNY, które proponują superbojedynek... oj będzie się dzieło.
Ten tom jest o rywalizacji, o zaspokajaniu oczekiwań innych, o tym, że szkoła czasem potrafi rodzić chorą rywalizację, a dzieci muszą sobie jakoś z tym radzić... a przecież i dorosły miałby trudno.
Oba tomy są na dobrym, takim samym poziomie. Polubiłam PIZAZZ i jej superrodzinkę. To całkiem fajnie wykreowany świat, z mądrym przesłaniem. Komiksy idealnie nadadzą się na prezent np. na Mikołaja.
PIZAZZ tom 1 i 2 zostały bardzo ładnie wydane, mają zgrabny format i sympatyczną kreskę. To dobra opowieść, która i bawi i uczy - mamy tiu całkiem urocze poczucie humoru.
SUPER być SOBĄ
PIZAZZ
tom 1 i 2
Wydawnictwo Wilga
egzemplarz recenzencki
November 22, 2020
A girl with superpowers just wants to be normal and this book sounded quite nice, but in the end I just wasn't a big fan of it. It had fun moments, I liked the superpowers, I liked the there were superheroes living among normals in this world, I liked that our MC could just fly off to space, I loved meeting her family, I loved that she still kept in contact with her friends from before she moved, the art was OK-ish.
But her superpower is that? How the hell are you embarrassed by that? That is so not embarrassing or weird. Given how embarrassed she was I thought something to do with burping, or farting, or something else like that. There is such a build-up and then it is something this normal? If that was my superpowers as a kid I would have LOVED it.
Plus, her parents could be a bit more kinder and a bit more compassionate. They are all superheroes so they should know that it is a lot of stress, tiring, and other things. Why can't they understand that their daughter just wants to be a bit more normal and have fun. Just let her not go along if she or her sister doesn't want to. I just felt sad for the girl.
She kept complaining quite a bit, and the eyerolls were funny once, twice, and maybe three times but there were so many eyerolls in this one I was eyerolling.
I probably won't be reading this one further.
But her superpower is that? How the hell are you embarrassed by that? That is so not embarrassing or weird. Given how embarrassed she was I thought something to do with burping, or farting, or something else like that. There is such a build-up and then it is something this normal? If that was my superpowers as a kid I would have LOVED it.
Plus, her parents could be a bit more kinder and a bit more compassionate. They are all superheroes so they should know that it is a lot of stress, tiring, and other things. Why can't they understand that their daughter just wants to be a bit more normal and have fun. Just let her not go along if she or her sister doesn't want to. I just felt sad for the girl.
She kept complaining quite a bit, and the eyerolls were funny once, twice, and maybe three times but there were so many eyerolls in this one I was eyerolling.
I probably won't be reading this one further.
June 3, 2021
Almost being a teenager isn't easy, but when you're at a new school and come from a family of superheroes life can be a challenge. Our main character Pizazz is trying to figure everything out. That's not easy though when you're trying to make friends, save the world and just fit in.
Pizazz comes from a long line of superheroes and feels the urgency to help save the world from super villains that show up at the most annoying times. Life gets just a bit harder when you're embarrassed about your abilities when the rest of your family can do all of the cool stuff. I love that she wasn't perfect and clearly had some flaws. Superheroes don't normally appear this way in all of the movies and cartoons out there.
I loved the mix of adventure and just simple middle school stuff. Pizazz switched schools and is having a hard time keeping in touch with her friends from her old school and trying to make new ones. Especially so when she thinks her sister is so much cooler than her. Add in being on a committee to help save the park near school and life gets busy.
Pizazz is full of lessons of growing up, making friends, accepting/liking who you are, family and standing up for what you believe in. This book does that with really fun illustrations and by playing around with the font and size of words. We're all special and unique and that's not a bad thing. I think children will really like this book.
Pizazz comes from a long line of superheroes and feels the urgency to help save the world from super villains that show up at the most annoying times. Life gets just a bit harder when you're embarrassed about your abilities when the rest of your family can do all of the cool stuff. I love that she wasn't perfect and clearly had some flaws. Superheroes don't normally appear this way in all of the movies and cartoons out there.
I loved the mix of adventure and just simple middle school stuff. Pizazz switched schools and is having a hard time keeping in touch with her friends from her old school and trying to make new ones. Especially so when she thinks her sister is so much cooler than her. Add in being on a committee to help save the park near school and life gets busy.
Pizazz is full of lessons of growing up, making friends, accepting/liking who you are, family and standing up for what you believe in. This book does that with really fun illustrations and by playing around with the font and size of words. We're all special and unique and that's not a bad thing. I think children will really like this book.
August 29, 2021
Ah, it has been a good while since I have had the opportunity to devour a good middle grade/transitioning reader book. They are always so much fun! There’s something brilliant about the mix between stellar illustrations, stylized fonts, and the base story. It makes books like Pizazz that perfect bridge for kids who love graphic novels, but want something with a little more story. I will fully admit, I’m almost 37 years old and I still love them too! Who doesn’t love to giggle at a good gross out joke?
So it should be no surprise to you, my dear reader friends, that I thoroughly enjoyed my romp through this book! Pizazz is absolutely adorable, although she would probably roll her eyes at me for saying so. As most kids her age would feel, she is lost after being taken away from her hometown and her best friends. If it wasn’t enough that she has to deal with being a superhero (which is exhausting and only cool sometimes), now she’s caught up in a new school as well. How is anyone supposed to make friends when they’re constantly being dragged away in the middle of the night to stop silly baddies?
Oh, and the baddies in this book are quite silly. There are a lot of giggle worthy points in this story, but the superhero fights get the crown. See, Pizazz does not like her super power. In a family full of people with amazing powers, and equally amazing super suits, she feels like she’s lesser. So in each fight she refuses to use it and, well, let’s just say that the outcome is very funny. Are you curious what Pizazz’s super power actually is? Good. Read this book! It’s worth your time!
I so very much recommend this to all the young readers out there! Pizazz’s story is funny, sweet, and full of some very important lessons as well! If you’re a parent who has a reader that loves Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Welcome to your new favorite series.
So it should be no surprise to you, my dear reader friends, that I thoroughly enjoyed my romp through this book! Pizazz is absolutely adorable, although she would probably roll her eyes at me for saying so. As most kids her age would feel, she is lost after being taken away from her hometown and her best friends. If it wasn’t enough that she has to deal with being a superhero (which is exhausting and only cool sometimes), now she’s caught up in a new school as well. How is anyone supposed to make friends when they’re constantly being dragged away in the middle of the night to stop silly baddies?
Oh, and the baddies in this book are quite silly. There are a lot of giggle worthy points in this story, but the superhero fights get the crown. See, Pizazz does not like her super power. In a family full of people with amazing powers, and equally amazing super suits, she feels like she’s lesser. So in each fight she refuses to use it and, well, let’s just say that the outcome is very funny. Are you curious what Pizazz’s super power actually is? Good. Read this book! It’s worth your time!
I so very much recommend this to all the young readers out there! Pizazz’s story is funny, sweet, and full of some very important lessons as well! If you’re a parent who has a reader that loves Captain Underpants and Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Welcome to your new favorite series.
December 16, 2022
Hello Again!
It’s been a little bit since my last post but in that time I have not stopped reading! I am very glad to be back now and trying to get reviews in for all the books I have finished before the end of the year! I feel like I picked up such a range of books during my time away but many were also books I have had for a while and have been excited to read. So without further ado, let’s jump into our first book, Pizazz!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Pizazz is a superhero, and so is the rest of her family aside from one member! But maybe Pizazz does not want to be a superhero. See her power is not exactly one she loves and on top of that being a hero and saving everyone and sometimes the planet comes with a lot of responsibility. Pizazz is trying her best but it’s hard being in school, hiding your superpower, and dealing with all the associated responsibilities. But Pizazz can definitely do it!
I enjoyed my time with this story immensely. Pizazz is a vastly different perspective on the life of a young superhero. Additionally, almost all of the pages contain an illustration! Each illustration helped bring Pizazz and her family to life even more. As a character, Pizazz was very unique and interesting. Aside from the characters and story, I really adored the cover, it gave off a bright pop art feel that makes it unforgettable!
Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars
It’s been a little bit since my last post but in that time I have not stopped reading! I am very glad to be back now and trying to get reviews in for all the books I have finished before the end of the year! I feel like I picked up such a range of books during my time away but many were also books I have had for a while and have been excited to read. So without further ado, let’s jump into our first book, Pizazz!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Pizazz is a superhero, and so is the rest of her family aside from one member! But maybe Pizazz does not want to be a superhero. See her power is not exactly one she loves and on top of that being a hero and saving everyone and sometimes the planet comes with a lot of responsibility. Pizazz is trying her best but it’s hard being in school, hiding your superpower, and dealing with all the associated responsibilities. But Pizazz can definitely do it!
I enjoyed my time with this story immensely. Pizazz is a vastly different perspective on the life of a young superhero. Additionally, almost all of the pages contain an illustration! Each illustration helped bring Pizazz and her family to life even more. As a character, Pizazz was very unique and interesting. Aside from the characters and story, I really adored the cover, it gave off a bright pop art feel that makes it unforgettable!
Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars
May 20, 2021
An adorable chapter book / graphic novel hybrid about a young superhero with a very embarrassing super power--trust her--, a very annoying family, and a whole lot of pressure to save the world from certain doom. It's not easy being super. Especially when you're just trying to make some friends at a new school and live up to your annoying cool little sister.
So voicey and fun. I loved the integration of illustrations into everything down to the typography, with certain words being emphasized with playful fonts. I think this one is going to be a big hit with young readers!
So voicey and fun. I loved the integration of illustrations into everything down to the typography, with certain words being emphasized with playful fonts. I think this one is going to be a big hit with young readers!
January 9, 2021
We hadden eerder de boeken van Oma Knetter aan onze dochter voorgelezen en kregen de tip dat deze ook leuk was. Een uitstekende tip! Hetzelfde grappige chaotische verhaal, maar dan met een meisje dat ook superheldin is. Ook is de tekst afgewisseld met stripjes. Het verhaal
springt van de hak op de tak en de zinnen zijn erg lang en wat schreeuwerig, maar de doelgroep vond het allemaal enig! Op naar deel 2.
springt van de hak op de tak en de zinnen zijn erg lang en wat schreeuwerig, maar de doelgroep vond het allemaal enig! Op naar deel 2.
September 3, 2020
Being Super isn't necessarily always actually that super. Especially when your name is Pizazz and you have the worst power ever, sometimes you would rather just be normal. But will we ever find out what her super power is?
I really enjoyed the comic book style of the book and Pizazz is a cool character. Finding her place in the world doesn't have to all be about being super.
I really enjoyed the comic book style of the book and Pizazz is a cool character. Finding her place in the world doesn't have to all be about being super.
July 22, 2021
Pizazz is a super hero with a perfect super hero family. However, she despises her name, her silly cape, and her embarrassing super power. When she's forced to move schools and leave behind her best friends, Pizazz's life goes from plain old blah to terrible!
I guess my Netgalley copy was corrupted or I just received the first 130 pages? Either way, Pizazz's story was kind of all over the place. All of her little dilemmas were very short-lived and easily fixable and randomly interspersed into her taking down over the top and ridiculous "bad" guys. Younger elementary readers will enjoy it. Maybe grades 2nd-3rd. But there are better early elementary graphic novel hybrids out there to choose from.
I guess my Netgalley copy was corrupted or I just received the first 130 pages? Either way, Pizazz's story was kind of all over the place. All of her little dilemmas were very short-lived and easily fixable and randomly interspersed into her taking down over the top and ridiculous "bad" guys. Younger elementary readers will enjoy it. Maybe grades 2nd-3rd. But there are better early elementary graphic novel hybrids out there to choose from.
February 22, 2023
I’m not going to lie…I needed to take a break from serious books and pick up something fun & light. I loved Pizazz (both the book and the character)! The illustrations were super fun (it was kind of a graphic novel) — and the messaging was brilliant with a good dose of environmental impact. You don’t find out until the very end what Pizazz’s super power is, but it will blow you away! 🤩
January 16, 2021
Sophy Henn is geen onbekende schrijfster voor mij. Mijn Oma Knetters staan door hun fluokleuren al een hele poos op te vallen in mijn boekenkast op school.
Ik ben dan ook blij dat, ondanks dat dit een nieuwe reeks wordt, die opvallende kleuren en tekeningen nog steeds aanwezig zijn op de kaft. Voor kinderen die geen echte lezertjes zijn, is die cover toch nog altijd heel belangrijk. Voor hen telt nog altijd wat er goed uit ziet, zal ook binnenin leuk worden. En gelukkig is dit bij Pizazz ook zo.
Geen vette kleuren binnenin, maar wel prachtige zwart- wit tekeningen, verschillende lettertypes, verschillende groottes van de letters. Ook veel vetgedrukte woorden, die als aandachtpunten iedere pagina vullen . Het leuke aan graphic novels is dat lijn tussen verhaal en strip zo dicht bij elkaar liggen, dat die voor iedere lezer op een andere manier bekeken worden. Voor de beginnende lezers worden de tekeningen als aanvulling gebruikt bij het lezen, maar ook als ondersteuning bij woorden die ze niet begrijpen. De gevorderde lezers gebruiken die om tussendoor verder te gaan fantaseren over het verhaal.
De zinnen die gebruikt worden zijn soms heel lang, maar het is volledig naar de denkwijze van Pizazz. Je ziet haar als het ware de woorden denken terwijl je ze aan het lezen bent. Voor volwassenen lijkt dit soms chaotisch maar voor kinderen is dit heel grappig en normaal. Er staan ook soms moeilijke woorden in, dus als je kinderen dit boek alleen willen lezen, wees dan steeds paraat om als het nodig is dat klein beetje extra uitleg te geven.
Pizazz zou het meisje naast de deur kunnen zijn. Jij zou haar ook kunnen zijn. Mede hierdoor is dit boek toegankelijk voor ieder kind. Want wie wil nu geen echt SUPERHELD zijn, toch? (Oogrol , knipoog)
Ik ben dan ook blij dat, ondanks dat dit een nieuwe reeks wordt, die opvallende kleuren en tekeningen nog steeds aanwezig zijn op de kaft. Voor kinderen die geen echte lezertjes zijn, is die cover toch nog altijd heel belangrijk. Voor hen telt nog altijd wat er goed uit ziet, zal ook binnenin leuk worden. En gelukkig is dit bij Pizazz ook zo.
Geen vette kleuren binnenin, maar wel prachtige zwart- wit tekeningen, verschillende lettertypes, verschillende groottes van de letters. Ook veel vetgedrukte woorden, die als aandachtpunten iedere pagina vullen . Het leuke aan graphic novels is dat lijn tussen verhaal en strip zo dicht bij elkaar liggen, dat die voor iedere lezer op een andere manier bekeken worden. Voor de beginnende lezers worden de tekeningen als aanvulling gebruikt bij het lezen, maar ook als ondersteuning bij woorden die ze niet begrijpen. De gevorderde lezers gebruiken die om tussendoor verder te gaan fantaseren over het verhaal.
De zinnen die gebruikt worden zijn soms heel lang, maar het is volledig naar de denkwijze van Pizazz. Je ziet haar als het ware de woorden denken terwijl je ze aan het lezen bent. Voor volwassenen lijkt dit soms chaotisch maar voor kinderen is dit heel grappig en normaal. Er staan ook soms moeilijke woorden in, dus als je kinderen dit boek alleen willen lezen, wees dan steeds paraat om als het nodig is dat klein beetje extra uitleg te geven.
Pizazz zou het meisje naast de deur kunnen zijn. Jij zou haar ook kunnen zijn. Mede hierdoor is dit boek toegankelijk voor ieder kind. Want wie wil nu geen echt SUPERHELD zijn, toch? (Oogrol , knipoog)
September 12, 2020
it is an awesome book, just look at my rating.
October 21, 2020
Pizazz is Sophy Henn’s first book in a brand new series and it is fresh, funky and bags of fun.
Being born into a family of super-heroes is anything but super, just ask Pizazz. First of all, who name’s their child ‘Pizazz.’ Pizazz is not a fan of her name and I can’t help but think it looks a little too much like pizza (which as it happens is one of the things that Pizazz loves to eat). Anyway, more bad things about being part of the superhero family…you have to wear the same clothes everyday and saving the world can be super annoying. Having to fight baddies and stop disasters really does get in the way of a ‘normal’ life. Oh, and then there’s the younger sister, Red, who happens to be perfect in every way and is just amazing at everything.
After moving to a new town, leaving her friends behind and starting at a new school, Pizazz is feeling far from super. She is struggling to fit in whilst Red is quickly becoming one of the most popular people at school and has been elected to the school council. Pizazz on the other hand has a habit of messing things up and when she gets over-looked for the position of school council her teacher gives her the consolation of eco-monitor rep. Well at least she should be good at that, after all, she saves the planet on an almost daily basis.
When the the local park next to the school comes under threat from the bulldozers with the developers wanting to turn the park for people into a park for cars, Pizazz has a chance to be super. If she can save the park then maybe, just maybe, she’ll make friends and fit in at her new school, but to do so will mean exposing her super-duper embarrassing superpower which she will absolutely not, never-ever tell you about. Or will she…
Superpowers aside, Pizazz is so relatable for young readers. She is having to the overcome the difficulties of moving home and the challenges of starting at a new school, a very real situation that children often find themselves in through none of their own doing.
Pizazz is a big dose of girl-power and Sophy Henn introduces readers to a relatable and real character. Pizazz is imperfect, flawed and ordinary and that is what her makes her so brilliant. She is the complete opposite to the female superheroes that are depicted in films - who are often flawless in both skills and appearance - and because of this she feels far more real. She is the kind of person young girls should want to be like - she is relatable, achievable and downright super-cool.
There is an environmental theme running throughout and there’s much saving of the planet to be done, whether you are born with superpowers or not. Even Pizazz’s superpower is environmentally friendly, although you’ll have to read the book for yourself if you want to know what it is.
Brilliantly written and illustrated by Sophie Henn featuring comic strips, funky fonts and plenty of illustrations. Pizazz is the perfectly imperfect female superhero that children’s books need and I can’t wait for her next adventure.
Recommended for 7+.
Being born into a family of super-heroes is anything but super, just ask Pizazz. First of all, who name’s their child ‘Pizazz.’ Pizazz is not a fan of her name and I can’t help but think it looks a little too much like pizza (which as it happens is one of the things that Pizazz loves to eat). Anyway, more bad things about being part of the superhero family…you have to wear the same clothes everyday and saving the world can be super annoying. Having to fight baddies and stop disasters really does get in the way of a ‘normal’ life. Oh, and then there’s the younger sister, Red, who happens to be perfect in every way and is just amazing at everything.
After moving to a new town, leaving her friends behind and starting at a new school, Pizazz is feeling far from super. She is struggling to fit in whilst Red is quickly becoming one of the most popular people at school and has been elected to the school council. Pizazz on the other hand has a habit of messing things up and when she gets over-looked for the position of school council her teacher gives her the consolation of eco-monitor rep. Well at least she should be good at that, after all, she saves the planet on an almost daily basis.
When the the local park next to the school comes under threat from the bulldozers with the developers wanting to turn the park for people into a park for cars, Pizazz has a chance to be super. If she can save the park then maybe, just maybe, she’ll make friends and fit in at her new school, but to do so will mean exposing her super-duper embarrassing superpower which she will absolutely not, never-ever tell you about. Or will she…
Superpowers aside, Pizazz is so relatable for young readers. She is having to the overcome the difficulties of moving home and the challenges of starting at a new school, a very real situation that children often find themselves in through none of their own doing.
Pizazz is a big dose of girl-power and Sophy Henn introduces readers to a relatable and real character. Pizazz is imperfect, flawed and ordinary and that is what her makes her so brilliant. She is the complete opposite to the female superheroes that are depicted in films - who are often flawless in both skills and appearance - and because of this she feels far more real. She is the kind of person young girls should want to be like - she is relatable, achievable and downright super-cool.
There is an environmental theme running throughout and there’s much saving of the planet to be done, whether you are born with superpowers or not. Even Pizazz’s superpower is environmentally friendly, although you’ll have to read the book for yourself if you want to know what it is.
Brilliantly written and illustrated by Sophie Henn featuring comic strips, funky fonts and plenty of illustrations. Pizazz is the perfectly imperfect female superhero that children’s books need and I can’t wait for her next adventure.
Recommended for 7+.
May 19, 2021
Mix pre-teen attitude, learning to like one's self, and usual family 'ups and downs' with superhero awesomeness (or not always so awesome?), and it rolls into tons of humor with a bit of more serious undertones.
Pizazz is a superhero and was born, like many superheroes, into a superhero family. Yep, she has superpowers, which should make everything kind of awesome...well, in compared to 'normals' that is. But not everything is bombastic pows and victories in the life of a superhero, especially when that hero is about to attend a new school and already knows she won't fit in.
The blurb on this one hooked me in right away. The idea of a pre-teen superhero, who battles not only with super villains but with usual, middle grade problems sounded golden. And it is. This book packs tons of attitude (the eye-roll kind) with the problem of learning to like one's self. It's over the top...but it is about superheroes...and while addressing all sorts of humorous problems that being a superhero might mean, also allows the very usual problems of being a middle grader to flow in. It's a silly mix, which causes thought and yet, has the reader snorting, wondering, and raising the eyebrows the entire way through.
Pizazz's sour somewhat attitude is pretty clear, and while it might almost hit the point of being overbearing at times and hangs right on the border, the ridiculous situation makes it work. Plus, her strife to make the best out of things is heart-warming. Her embarrassment at her superpower...to the point she refuses to mention what it is and only repeatedly says it's embarrassing...also pushes to the point of being overly extreme, and then, at that moment, she lets it come out. And it is something that girls that age might really find embarrassing. (I know a few). And yet, in its own way, it's neat. But this plays wonderfully on the same tone as self-doubt, since what many kids see as horrible, may not really be that bad after all.
The illustrations make this one shine and give it a comic book atmosphere without turning it into a graphic novel. Plus, there are tons of superheroes...who always run around in the same outfit (although they have many of them to keep it from becoming gross). And there's a funny dog...and irritating but a sometimes, cool sister...and bad guys with the weirdest ways to take over the world...and irritating, popular girls...and even some environmental issues are thrown in because saving the Earth as a superhero obviously isn't enough (is it?). So, this one packs the pages well, guaranteeing a quick-paced, never boring read.
I definitely do see young middle graders grabbing this one up and enjoying it quite a bit.
I received an ARC and see kids really enjoying this one.
Pizazz is a superhero and was born, like many superheroes, into a superhero family. Yep, she has superpowers, which should make everything kind of awesome...well, in compared to 'normals' that is. But not everything is bombastic pows and victories in the life of a superhero, especially when that hero is about to attend a new school and already knows she won't fit in.
The blurb on this one hooked me in right away. The idea of a pre-teen superhero, who battles not only with super villains but with usual, middle grade problems sounded golden. And it is. This book packs tons of attitude (the eye-roll kind) with the problem of learning to like one's self. It's over the top...but it is about superheroes...and while addressing all sorts of humorous problems that being a superhero might mean, also allows the very usual problems of being a middle grader to flow in. It's a silly mix, which causes thought and yet, has the reader snorting, wondering, and raising the eyebrows the entire way through.
Pizazz's sour somewhat attitude is pretty clear, and while it might almost hit the point of being overbearing at times and hangs right on the border, the ridiculous situation makes it work. Plus, her strife to make the best out of things is heart-warming. Her embarrassment at her superpower...to the point she refuses to mention what it is and only repeatedly says it's embarrassing...also pushes to the point of being overly extreme, and then, at that moment, she lets it come out. And it is something that girls that age might really find embarrassing. (I know a few). And yet, in its own way, it's neat. But this plays wonderfully on the same tone as self-doubt, since what many kids see as horrible, may not really be that bad after all.
The illustrations make this one shine and give it a comic book atmosphere without turning it into a graphic novel. Plus, there are tons of superheroes...who always run around in the same outfit (although they have many of them to keep it from becoming gross). And there's a funny dog...and irritating but a sometimes, cool sister...and bad guys with the weirdest ways to take over the world...and irritating, popular girls...and even some environmental issues are thrown in because saving the Earth as a superhero obviously isn't enough (is it?). So, this one packs the pages well, guaranteeing a quick-paced, never boring read.
I definitely do see young middle graders grabbing this one up and enjoying it quite a bit.
I received an ARC and see kids really enjoying this one.
June 2, 2022
What worked:
Presenting a young, unhappy superhero is a novel idea, as Pizazz finds the cons far outweigh the pros. Even her name isn’t as cool as her sister’s name Red Dragon. Pizazz’s situation worsens when her parents decide to move, forcing her to adjust to a new school and the loneliness of having no friends. Many young readers will be able to make this connection. All of the members of Pizazz’s family are born superheroes and have unique abilities. However, Pizazz has an embarrassing superpower that she’s reluctant to share with readers and rarely wants to use. The author teases readers throughout most of the book before finally revealing her deplorable ability. I must admit, it’s pretty embarrassing.
While this book is not a graphic novel, it contains a lot of pictures that contribute to the story. They depict scenes from the plot that help to visualize what’s happening. Pizazz’s family is summoned to save the world every few chapters, and those missions are presented in a manner more like graphic novels. Pages display panels of illustrations with captions that quickly recount the planet-saving battles. This strategy is very effective since Pizazz’s problems are the focus of the book, not her family’s fights with nasty villains that twerk, shoot goo, and projectile vomit.
The book appears to be about superheroes, but the essence of the story centers on Pizazz’s self-image. She wants a cooler name, a superpower that’s more impressive and less annoying, and a costume that’s more comfortable and stylish. She even hates that her little sister Red Dragon is too happy and positive. Pizazz is awkward around new classmates, so she becomes the school’s eco monitor to meet new people. She’s not quite sure what to do, but the annoyed former eco monitor named Ivy gives her an idea for an important community issue. The duo team up to stop big business from destroying the park next to the school, and it may take Pizazz’s embarrassing superpower to get it done.
What didn’t work as well:
The early part of the book shares Pizazz’s likes and dislikes of being a superhero, but the overall conflict starts murky. Her whiny venting about being a superhero is humorous, but it takes a few chapters for a focus to develop. The plot emerges into a young heroine trying to accept herself, fit in with normal people, and save the world in the process.
The Final Verdict:
The book is most appropriate for upper elementary readers and is reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The author’s voice is easy to follow, and the humor and illustrations will appeal to young readers. The plot shares important issues of having a positive self-image and protecting nature from big corporations. I recommend you give it a shot.
Presenting a young, unhappy superhero is a novel idea, as Pizazz finds the cons far outweigh the pros. Even her name isn’t as cool as her sister’s name Red Dragon. Pizazz’s situation worsens when her parents decide to move, forcing her to adjust to a new school and the loneliness of having no friends. Many young readers will be able to make this connection. All of the members of Pizazz’s family are born superheroes and have unique abilities. However, Pizazz has an embarrassing superpower that she’s reluctant to share with readers and rarely wants to use. The author teases readers throughout most of the book before finally revealing her deplorable ability. I must admit, it’s pretty embarrassing.
While this book is not a graphic novel, it contains a lot of pictures that contribute to the story. They depict scenes from the plot that help to visualize what’s happening. Pizazz’s family is summoned to save the world every few chapters, and those missions are presented in a manner more like graphic novels. Pages display panels of illustrations with captions that quickly recount the planet-saving battles. This strategy is very effective since Pizazz’s problems are the focus of the book, not her family’s fights with nasty villains that twerk, shoot goo, and projectile vomit.
The book appears to be about superheroes, but the essence of the story centers on Pizazz’s self-image. She wants a cooler name, a superpower that’s more impressive and less annoying, and a costume that’s more comfortable and stylish. She even hates that her little sister Red Dragon is too happy and positive. Pizazz is awkward around new classmates, so she becomes the school’s eco monitor to meet new people. She’s not quite sure what to do, but the annoyed former eco monitor named Ivy gives her an idea for an important community issue. The duo team up to stop big business from destroying the park next to the school, and it may take Pizazz’s embarrassing superpower to get it done.
What didn’t work as well:
The early part of the book shares Pizazz’s likes and dislikes of being a superhero, but the overall conflict starts murky. Her whiny venting about being a superhero is humorous, but it takes a few chapters for a focus to develop. The plot emerges into a young heroine trying to accept herself, fit in with normal people, and save the world in the process.
The Final Verdict:
The book is most appropriate for upper elementary readers and is reminiscent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The author’s voice is easy to follow, and the humor and illustrations will appeal to young readers. The plot shares important issues of having a positive self-image and protecting nature from big corporations. I recommend you give it a shot.
March 4, 2021
Superhelden zijn er in alle soorten en maten, van de flashy comic personages in spandex van Marvel tot supergrappige verschijningen als DogMan en Plasman. En ergens daar middenin bevindt zich Pizazz, een meisje van net geen tien jaar met superkrachten, dat tot leven werd gewekt door de pen van Sophy Henn.
Pizazz is een boekje dat nog het best te omschrijven valt als een kruising tussen een leesboek en een doodle-tekenboek voor jonge (pre-)tieners. Het verhaal van de 9-jarige superheldin met “beschamende” superkrachten zal door het eenvoudige taalgebruik, de speelse font-gebruiken, de vele zwart-wit illustraties en het grote lettertype voornamelijk in de smaak vallen bij kinderen die niet zo graag lezen. Zelfs al zouden ze minder snel een boek ter hand nemen, het stripaspect van deze uitgave kan ze ongetwijfeld over de streep trekken.
Het verhaal brengt een tweeledige plot. Terwijl enerzijds onze heldin en haar familie van de ene (korte) superheldenopdracht naar de andere moeten trekken om diverse, best wel grappige en eerder onschuldige slechterikken te verslaan, krijgen we daarnaast het menselijke aspect van een jonge tienerleven. Niettegenstaande Pizazz een superheld is, heeft ze ook haar schaamtegevoel, wil ze ook niets liever dan de favoriet van de klas zijn en is vriendschap een belangrijk gegeven.
In net geen 200 pagina’s worden we voorgesteld aan de verschillende personages en beleven we het eerste avontuur van Pizazz, terwijl we ondertussen een resem aan slechterikken de revue zien passeren. Het leuke aan de opzet, is dat de moeilijkste tegenstander er uiteindelijk eentje blijkt te zijn zonder bijzondere krachten.
Het boek leest vlot en de opbouw is origineel en humoristisch. Alleen moeten we vaststellen dat de vertaling niet altijd honderd procent de volle impact van het origineel weet te bevatten en het moet gezegd dat dit niet aan de vertaler kan verweten worden. Sommige woordgrapjes, zoals de belangrijkste van allemaal, haar naam, komt in het nederlands helaas niet uit de verf.
Pizazz is een leuke instapper voor de zogenaamd “moeilijke’ lezertjes, maar zal voor de echte jonge boekenfan eerder een snelle hap zijn. Maar dat kan ook wel eens leuk zijn natuurlijk.
Pizazz is een boekje dat nog het best te omschrijven valt als een kruising tussen een leesboek en een doodle-tekenboek voor jonge (pre-)tieners. Het verhaal van de 9-jarige superheldin met “beschamende” superkrachten zal door het eenvoudige taalgebruik, de speelse font-gebruiken, de vele zwart-wit illustraties en het grote lettertype voornamelijk in de smaak vallen bij kinderen die niet zo graag lezen. Zelfs al zouden ze minder snel een boek ter hand nemen, het stripaspect van deze uitgave kan ze ongetwijfeld over de streep trekken.
Het verhaal brengt een tweeledige plot. Terwijl enerzijds onze heldin en haar familie van de ene (korte) superheldenopdracht naar de andere moeten trekken om diverse, best wel grappige en eerder onschuldige slechterikken te verslaan, krijgen we daarnaast het menselijke aspect van een jonge tienerleven. Niettegenstaande Pizazz een superheld is, heeft ze ook haar schaamtegevoel, wil ze ook niets liever dan de favoriet van de klas zijn en is vriendschap een belangrijk gegeven.
In net geen 200 pagina’s worden we voorgesteld aan de verschillende personages en beleven we het eerste avontuur van Pizazz, terwijl we ondertussen een resem aan slechterikken de revue zien passeren. Het leuke aan de opzet, is dat de moeilijkste tegenstander er uiteindelijk eentje blijkt te zijn zonder bijzondere krachten.
Het boek leest vlot en de opbouw is origineel en humoristisch. Alleen moeten we vaststellen dat de vertaling niet altijd honderd procent de volle impact van het origineel weet te bevatten en het moet gezegd dat dit niet aan de vertaler kan verweten worden. Sommige woordgrapjes, zoals de belangrijkste van allemaal, haar naam, komt in het nederlands helaas niet uit de verf.
Pizazz is een leuke instapper voor de zogenaamd “moeilijke’ lezertjes, maar zal voor de echte jonge boekenfan eerder een snelle hap zijn. Maar dat kan ook wel eens leuk zijn natuurlijk.
July 1, 2021
There are a lot of downsides to being a superhero, according to narrator, Pizazz. As the daughter of superheroes and the sister of a powerful superhero, Pizazz is also a superhero. But as she describes, it's exhausting being a superhero and there really aren't a ton of benefits, except maybe being able to fly. Her family has recently moved to a new town and she doesn't have any friends, she misses the friends she left behind, and she's frustrated with the constant world saving that's required of her while she is also still expected to go to school and do her homework. Her efforts to show her unhappiness tend to backfire. And worst of all, her major superpower is embarrassing not cool. Her efforts to get involved in school when she is made the eco monitor by her teacher result in disaster and only get her in more trouble. It's only when she realizes that some problems don't require superpowers to solve that she finds a way to make friends and make a difference without being a superhero. But then again, maybe her embarrassing superpower can be useful after all.
The numerous black and white illustrations make this book feel a lot like a graphic novel. The illustrations feel a bit over the top, exactly what you would expect for a superhero story. The illustrations vary from full page spreads to small corner pictures to comic book type spreads. For young readers who've dreamed of being a superhero will find themselves giggling at the challenges that being a superhero brings (wearing a cape with her name that you hate highlighted on the back anyone?). Annoying little sisters, clueless parents, and ridiculous villains make this a rather funny book. Despite the focus on superpowers and being a superhero, there is much that young readers will be able to relate to such as leaving friends behind, finding a way to belong, making new friends, solving problems in an appropriate way. All these themes come into play in this rather light and funny story that kids are bound to enjoy.
The numerous black and white illustrations make this book feel a lot like a graphic novel. The illustrations feel a bit over the top, exactly what you would expect for a superhero story. The illustrations vary from full page spreads to small corner pictures to comic book type spreads. For young readers who've dreamed of being a superhero will find themselves giggling at the challenges that being a superhero brings (wearing a cape with her name that you hate highlighted on the back anyone?). Annoying little sisters, clueless parents, and ridiculous villains make this a rather funny book. Despite the focus on superpowers and being a superhero, there is much that young readers will be able to relate to such as leaving friends behind, finding a way to belong, making new friends, solving problems in an appropriate way. All these themes come into play in this rather light and funny story that kids are bound to enjoy.
July 4, 2021
Pizazz is a superhero, but it isn’t easy. She has to dash off to fight villains while she’s with friends or even while she’s sleeping. And she always has to go to school the next day. Pizazz has to put on a happy face, because she’s a superhero who saves the world, even if she’s having a bad day. Plus, she thinks she has the worst superpower ever, but she has to use it sometimes to defeat villains. Even though Pizazz doesn’t like being a superhero, she’s always there to help her superhero family.
This was a fun superhero story. Pizazz feels like a lot of middle graders, which is uncomfortable with herself. She doesn’t like her place in her family because everyone else has a better superpower than her, even her little sister. She had to start at a new school so she didn’t feel included by the kids in her new class. Pizazz wanted to fit in with the popular kids, like her sister did, but she didn’t. Though most middle graders aren’t superheroes, I think a lot of them can relate to feeling out of place during that time in their life.
There were a few funny moments in this book. Pizazz and her family had a dog that would report to them on what villain they had to go fight. They had to fight unusual villains. There was Twerknado, who would twerk and destroy the city. There was also Goo Go, who was a giant baby fighting with baby toys. Pizazz’s secret superpower was saved and only revealed at the end of the book, so that was a funny part since she hated it so much but always ended up using it.
Pizazz is a fun start to a new series!
Thank you Simon Kids for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun superhero story. Pizazz feels like a lot of middle graders, which is uncomfortable with herself. She doesn’t like her place in her family because everyone else has a better superpower than her, even her little sister. She had to start at a new school so she didn’t feel included by the kids in her new class. Pizazz wanted to fit in with the popular kids, like her sister did, but she didn’t. Though most middle graders aren’t superheroes, I think a lot of them can relate to feeling out of place during that time in their life.
There were a few funny moments in this book. Pizazz and her family had a dog that would report to them on what villain they had to go fight. They had to fight unusual villains. There was Twerknado, who would twerk and destroy the city. There was also Goo Go, who was a giant baby fighting with baby toys. Pizazz’s secret superpower was saved and only revealed at the end of the book, so that was a funny part since she hated it so much but always ended up using it.
Pizazz is a fun start to a new series!
Thank you Simon Kids for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 17, 2024
Lots of superhero fun in graphic novel form.
I read this aloud to my 7-year-old, after seeing it on a list of recommended books for his age. We learn quickly that young Pizazz (yes, her real name) is a fairly normal sounding girl - with a love-hate sister relationship, annoying Popular girls at school - but the slightly unusual background of being part of a family of Superheroes. In a world where this is accepted and known about.
Pizazz is often having to disappear off to go save the world from vomiting villains, bombing bad guys and missing stuff at school. And she's got an embarrassing superpower... or so she tells us. As we have to wait until almost the very end to find out what this power of her is, this kept us both on tenterhooks and guessing. She's also just moved and is missing her friends and grandparents. Sigh.
This was very funny. A girl's voice moaning about her goody-two-shoes sister, her tiring superhero exploits, and the trials of school and fitting in and possibly even finding a mission there that isn't based on super powers.
I loved the idea that superheroes are embedded in the world here, that they can be made fun of and treated just like everyone else (by the popular kids I mean).
We get dogs giving orders and the problems with capes. That even superheroes can find it hard to make friends and can make mistakes. That powers and that super-responsibility can be exhausting.
Hard to read aloud maybe, as graphic novels work best when read by the reader, but we muddled through. I enjoyed it, my boy enjoyed it. It was a refreshing non-Marvel superhero story and made a nice change for us both.
For ages 6-11.
I read this aloud to my 7-year-old, after seeing it on a list of recommended books for his age. We learn quickly that young Pizazz (yes, her real name) is a fairly normal sounding girl - with a love-hate sister relationship, annoying Popular girls at school - but the slightly unusual background of being part of a family of Superheroes. In a world where this is accepted and known about.
Pizazz is often having to disappear off to go save the world from vomiting villains, bombing bad guys and missing stuff at school. And she's got an embarrassing superpower... or so she tells us. As we have to wait until almost the very end to find out what this power of her is, this kept us both on tenterhooks and guessing. She's also just moved and is missing her friends and grandparents. Sigh.
This was very funny. A girl's voice moaning about her goody-two-shoes sister, her tiring superhero exploits, and the trials of school and fitting in and possibly even finding a mission there that isn't based on super powers.
I loved the idea that superheroes are embedded in the world here, that they can be made fun of and treated just like everyone else (by the popular kids I mean).
We get dogs giving orders and the problems with capes. That even superheroes can find it hard to make friends and can make mistakes. That powers and that super-responsibility can be exhausting.
Hard to read aloud maybe, as graphic novels work best when read by the reader, but we muddled through. I enjoyed it, my boy enjoyed it. It was a refreshing non-Marvel superhero story and made a nice change for us both.
For ages 6-11.
August 26, 2021
I checked this out after reading a good review and I have to say it was very so-so for me. You know the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day? How that one is really refreshing and spot-on, and it doesn't try to sugarcoat anything and it helps a kid realize that some days are just really awful and that those days really stink? This book kept reminding me of that book, but reading a full chapter-book-length story of Alexander is just completely draining to me as a reader. Almost every single sentence is a complaint, and considering my daughter and I were reading this aloud, our own voices started sounding annoying to me by the middle of the first chapter.
Altogether it just felt like the book was all over the place, with the random superhero stuff thrown in there, the chapters were really long, there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and there was a random introduction of an interesting character very late into the book (her supervillain friend. In fact, I feel like exploring that relationship would have made for a more interesting book.)
Now that I've said all that, my daughter (age 8) did like the book, she laughed out loud a couple of times, and she did like the little-girl-as-superhero premise. So I'm not saying it's a waste of time to read it, and the illustrations were cute and maybe the superhero bits were interesting breaks in the story, but this book really wasn't for me. But then again, it wasn't written for me as an audience, so feel free to let kids decide on this one.
Altogether it just felt like the book was all over the place, with the random superhero stuff thrown in there, the chapters were really long, there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and there was a random introduction of an interesting character very late into the book (her supervillain friend. In fact, I feel like exploring that relationship would have made for a more interesting book.)
Now that I've said all that, my daughter (age 8) did like the book, she laughed out loud a couple of times, and she did like the little-girl-as-superhero premise. So I'm not saying it's a waste of time to read it, and the illustrations were cute and maybe the superhero bits were interesting breaks in the story, but this book really wasn't for me. But then again, it wasn't written for me as an audience, so feel free to let kids decide on this one.
November 5, 2021
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
Pizazz doesn't like her name, her cape, her "embarrassing" superpower, or being a superhero in general. But as she navigates the world of elementary school, she learns new ways of viewing the world and how to save it.
An engaging story about a reluctant superhero and her struggles fitting in at a new school. Nice combination of things young readers would find relatable (getting used to a new town, annoying siblings, making new friends) and a fun superhero premise with an interesting spin to keep them engaged.
A cute book with fun illustrations, intriguing font choices that go along with the story, and mashups of comic action sequences. Complete with chaotic villains with cheesy names, this was a fun read.
Pizazz is sarcastic, quick to complain, and mostly at odds with the other characters. This may be annoying to some (me included at times), but I can also see young readers relating to the whole the-world's-not-fair-and-I-don't-like-this aspect of the story.
It also has a nice message about how you don't have to be a superhero to help save the world and the impact of seemingly small actions to invoke change.
Pizazz doesn't like her name, her cape, her "embarrassing" superpower, or being a superhero in general. But as she navigates the world of elementary school, she learns new ways of viewing the world and how to save it.
An engaging story about a reluctant superhero and her struggles fitting in at a new school. Nice combination of things young readers would find relatable (getting used to a new town, annoying siblings, making new friends) and a fun superhero premise with an interesting spin to keep them engaged.
A cute book with fun illustrations, intriguing font choices that go along with the story, and mashups of comic action sequences. Complete with chaotic villains with cheesy names, this was a fun read.
Pizazz is sarcastic, quick to complain, and mostly at odds with the other characters. This may be annoying to some (me included at times), but I can also see young readers relating to the whole the-world's-not-fair-and-I-don't-like-this aspect of the story.
It also has a nice message about how you don't have to be a superhero to help save the world and the impact of seemingly small actions to invoke change.
July 29, 2021
It is not always easy being a superhero, especially if you are a nine-year-old superhero named Pizazz who hates her super embarrassing name. Despite being a crime fighting, city saving superhero, Pizazz still needs to go to school. Cue *eye roll*. It’s difficult to make and maintain lasting friendships when Pizazz is constantly disappearing to save the day. *More eye roll*. When Pizazz and her friend Ivy try to save the local park from being demolished, will Pizazz be able to save the day with her super embarrassing super power?
I absolutely love the illustrations and the art in this book. The art is very retro-like, and the characters are super cute. I especially love Red Dragon, she’s absolutely adorable. I love all the supervillains like Lazerdome, Harry the Slime, GooGoo, and especially Twerknado who can destroy the city just by twerking. This book is perfect for young reluctant readers who like a lot of illustrations and are ready for longer chapter books. I recommend this book to young readers who like silly and wacky superhero stories.
I absolutely love the illustrations and the art in this book. The art is very retro-like, and the characters are super cute. I especially love Red Dragon, she’s absolutely adorable. I love all the supervillains like Lazerdome, Harry the Slime, GooGoo, and especially Twerknado who can destroy the city just by twerking. This book is perfect for young reluctant readers who like a lot of illustrations and are ready for longer chapter books. I recommend this book to young readers who like silly and wacky superhero stories.
September 6, 2021
Meet Pizazz, an unlikely nine-year old superhero who hates being super all the time. Every time she's having fun with her friends, she gets a message from her mission control dog (who wears a space helmet and receives and transmits messages to the superfamily) that she must drop everything and zoom off to save the world again and it's getting old.
Not only that, being a superhero means ALWAYS wearing the same outfit. And it gets worse. Everyone else in her family has cool superpowers, but Pizazz's superpower is super embarrassing. Pizazz longs to be normal like real people.
Readers who love a quick read and reluctant readers will find Pizazz and easy, entertaining humorous story. Pizazz has just enough snark to keep the pages turning. Graphic elements mixed with pages resembling Dog Man and Wimpy Kid books will draw those fans to this book.
Recommended ages 8 and up. Easy chapter book for grades 3 and up. Fans will be happy to know there's two more books in the series.
Not only that, being a superhero means ALWAYS wearing the same outfit. And it gets worse. Everyone else in her family has cool superpowers, but Pizazz's superpower is super embarrassing. Pizazz longs to be normal like real people.
Readers who love a quick read and reluctant readers will find Pizazz and easy, entertaining humorous story. Pizazz has just enough snark to keep the pages turning. Graphic elements mixed with pages resembling Dog Man and Wimpy Kid books will draw those fans to this book.
Recommended ages 8 and up. Easy chapter book for grades 3 and up. Fans will be happy to know there's two more books in the series.
February 14, 2025
Ta książka zaprzecza wszystkiemu, co wiedzieliście o superbohaterach. Ale ponieważ nasza Pizazz, superbohaterka ma 9,5 roku, zrozumiałe jest, że wolałaby zajmować się normalnymi dziecięcymi rzeczami, niż ratować świat i walczyć ze złem. Chciałaby mieć koleżanki, być lubiana. Przecież to nic dziwnego. W nowej szkole jednak nie ma łatwego życia. Wszystko zmienia się, kiedy zostaje przewodniczącą Eko Patrolu. Jej wyzwaniem będzie uratowanie parku przed przekształceniem w parking. Okazuje się, że nie może dokonać tego supermocami – musi przekonać słowem wszystkich do tego pomysłu. Pizazz to superbohaterka, która jak magnes przyciąga pechowe zdarzenia. Zwykle wybiera krótką słomkę wśród członków swojej rodziny i kończy pokryta paskudnymi płynami od walczących złoczyńców. Podobało mi się, że gdy staje przed wyzwaniem, zwraca się o pomoc. Jej historia pokazuje młodym czytelnikom, że praca zespołowa jest lepsza niż w pojedynkę, a wsparcie innych może otworzyć drzwi do większej liczby rozwiązań.
Więcej na https://konfabula.pl/pizazz-bohaterka...
Więcej na https://konfabula.pl/pizazz-bohaterka...
October 21, 2021
This was just ok for me. Idk if it was just the ARC or if the proper-printed books are the same way, but I found some of the illustrations - as well as some of the fonts - visually difficult and/or hard to read, especially fonts on the black background (specifically "laser eyes" which I felt like I needed to have in order to read that font without giving myself a headache). The story was kind of cute but with a lot of *eyeroll*, but I personally could've gone without the run-on sentences and twerking villain. I think the villain, especially, will date the book and impact its longevity.
The book is advertised for grades 3-5, but I feel like this is really for grades 2 to mayyyybe 4. I'm letting my two 4th graders read it to see what they think, and I'll update this with their thoughts later.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
The book is advertised for grades 3-5, but I feel like this is really for grades 2 to mayyyybe 4. I'm letting my two 4th graders read it to see what they think, and I'll update this with their thoughts later.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
August 10, 2020
Tricky rating this because I really wanted to love it and read a great review of it. I think my year 3/4/5 girls will like the look and sound of this and I can think of very specific girls I will give this to and some boys too so I may come back and change my rating once I see their reception. The idea is cool and has scope for more in the series. I am just not sure if it was quite funny enough or the super powers and bad stuff happening were quite bad enough. Grandad farting flames - could have happened more often, the secret superpower that was unveiled at the end - could have been more embarrassing. Go hard out on the cringeworthy! These kids are used to reading Tom Gates, Dogman, Bad Guys etc, they are used to being disgusted and embarrassed big time! I like the half arsed, reluctant eco warrior idea, we have a few of those at school.
August 29, 2020
Dan: I really liked this book - in fact it was super! *eyeroll* Pizazz is an excellent main character who is very sarcastic and embarrassed of being a superhero in a new class at a new school where she doesn't fit in. The book is a great short read and the format of lots of pictures and some comic book strips mean that is highly readable. A perfect mix of funny and slightly gross villains and Pizazz's feelings of not fitting in and being jealous of her 'perfect' little sister make this a very enjoyable read that will appeal to a range of young readers.
January 3, 2021
Henn’s premise for Pizazz is perfect—take preteen angst and combine with school dynamics and a super-powered family. The illustrations are spot on and will appeal to young readers of early chapter books (suggested ages 8-10). At times, repeated gags (eye roll) and setup of the main character’s psyche become distracting. However, the messages of family, friends, and environmentalism make for a good read overall. An advanced reader’s copy was reviewed with anticipated publication date in June 2021.
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