I Have a Superpower

by Stephen Curry, Geneva Bowers (illustrator)

I Have a Superpower is a story that teaches kids you don't have to be the strongest, fastest, or even tallest kid out on the court. So long as you have heart, any goal is achievable through hard work and determination--even without a cape!

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Basketball, Childrens, Juvenile, Inspirational, Biography

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 6, 2022

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational, motivating read for young people who have yet to find their superpower that they have within them. Taken from a page in the life of the author, who in his own way has overcome his shortcomings and released his superpower.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is written by a celebrity author, and it feels that way. If you’re old enough, you may remember Saturday morning specials or those after school specials where they get a celebrity to come in and teach a very valuable lesson. They were almost always cheesy and overacted. If you put that into a book, it would be this book. First off this book is massively too long for a picture book. It’s told as if a sports news caster is giving a play-by-play and the speech bubbles are the action. The book is fine. The illustrations are lovely and very well done. But this is a book parents would skip a lot of in the reading. Plus, when you get to the super power it screams “This is a lesson you need to learn”. It’s not subtle. It’s right out there and it’s cheesy. This book is fine but when Stephen Curry stops playing basketball, will it stay on Library shelves very long? I doubt it.

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Have a Superpower is an inspiring story that emphasizes giving your all and having heart. Hughes seems like an ordinary kid who worries about not being good enough to play basketball, but it soon is revealed that he has a superpower that others have as well. The illustrations are adorable, and Hughes in his superhero mode is my favorite. There is movement in the picture and the colors are bright. The added list of hidden items to find in the book is a fun little bonus.

We chose this book because it was written by Steph Curry, my son's idol. I was excited to read this book with him. In the beginning, there were some disappointments that the story wasn't directly about Steph, but rather an inspirational story inspired by some of Curry's hardships.

Final Verdict: I Have A Superpower has a positive message and will be enjoyed by elementary-aged children.

This review first appeared on YA Book Central and can be found here : https://www.yabookscentral.com/i-have...

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Penguin Random House through Edelweiss+.
Curry models playing with heart for younger readers. The emphasis is on believing in yourself and doing your best while remembering to have fun. Hughes is not the fastest, tallest, strongest ball player but he practices and is willing to take a risk and ask to be included in the game. Readers see him hold his own and play well despite being teased by other players. Encouraging message younger readers need as they figure out their talents and gifts. The illustrations are full of color and movement to pull readers in to the game.
While I appreciate the sidebar information provided by the sportscaster, the language level may be challenging for some of the target audience. A great chance for families to read together and discuss what is being shared.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hughes is headed to the court to see if he can join a pick up game of basketball. He knows he isn't the tallest, fastest, or the highest jumper, but he does have a superpower to help him be the best he can be...

An encouragement for kids that hard work, dedication, and heart are the most important parts of being the best you can be at whatever your dream is. Steph Curry is a great person to have written this since he has definitely lived this out and become a success in his field because of his hard work, dedication, and heart. There's a hidden picture element to the book that's introduced on the last page spread kids will enjoy. Parents will appreciate the message much-needed in an age of instant gratification.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. Not the most compelling by nor the most compelling illustrations....but Stephen Curry has power. My students were mesmerized by this book and talked all day about how we were reading it at the end of the day. Some of the boys tried to sneak it early to read it before everyone else and others told them to put it back because it wasn't fair if they got to read it first. There has to be something said for the draw to this book! It isn't a great read aloud because it has more than one voice, which is kind of odd - but we made it work.

It has a lovely message....your heart is your superpower so we talked about what that means in all aspects of life.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hughes loves basketball, but he's not the tallest, fastest, nor can he jump the highest. He's not the first, second, or third, to get picked for a team, and the other kids joke about his skills. But Hughes has a superpower and he says that "you", the reader do too. What is it?

Written by Stephen Curry, this is a great book on heart, hard work, perseverance, and practice. Curry has definitely lived this out in his own life and it has gotten him to where he is today. This bears a great message to kids.

[Anita Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Have a Superpower intended audience is people of an African American background. I Have a Superpower Lexile level is AD580L and intended for grades preschool through 2nd. This book is about a kid who wants to be in the NBA. This book shows how other kids in the neighborhood are bigger, faster, strongest, etc., than him but that does not deter him from reaching his dreams. I chose this book because it will show students that there is always somebody that may be better than them but if you put in the work, you will be able to reach your goals.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this kids book a few weeks back. I love buying books to read with Kaya. And I love how the boy on the cover looks like him, so he can relate more to the story and the message. I do love a book with an empowering message for kids, and this book, written by an NBA player who was told he was too short to play basketball growing up, has an inspiring message for kids: be yourself, believe in yourself, you don’t have to be the best, the strongest, tallest, brainiest etc, so long as you have heart, determination and work hard, you’ll achieve your goals! Your heart is your superpower!

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Nope. Nope.

This book reinforces that celebrities should NOT write picture books. (At least not the majority of them!)

The dual voices (a reporter and the inner thoughts of a kiddo) will confuse audiences I think. The illustrations are a tad distracting.....

I am not a fan. And it's not just the fact that I dislike basketball (football being my speed). Stephen Curry's name will get this book to have sales.

[Crystal Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the story about a little boy who really wanted to play a certain sport and he wishes hes taller so that he can be good at it. He soon learns that he doesnt need extra height but a passion for what he did and he will be great. I will use this book in the classroom to teach children that if you really want to be something all you need to do is work hard at it.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet book & I love that S Curry is supporting kids lit. I think the language & simplicity don’t fully match. Quick read ... but not sure if it’s meant as a kids early reader or a picture book to be read to littler kids.

Moral - work hard, have fun.

[Leova Manbhat · Rating 2 out of 5]

The message is great but the story not well developed. There is a cute game in the end which makes you have to revisit the illustrations but I do not like how it is a kind of advertisement for his sneakers line.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story about a “short, scrawny kid” who discovers his “superpower” reads more like a comic book. What exactly is “heart,” and how does it differ from perseverance or determination or passion? Strange illustrations.

[Nylah Jean-Baptiste · Rating 5 out of 5]

From this book i have learned that it is great to be different and this is coming from a basketball player. Steph Curry is my mentor i watch every game he plays. So this book was great learning that my superpower is my big heart 💖

[Morgan S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by basketball player Stephen Curry showcases a journey with basketball. This is a great book for kids who show an interest in the sport.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kids will enjoy seeing a fictional kid like Steph Curry, but as a read aloud, this is too wordy.

[King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its fun to read this, specially for all age, loved it

[Christine Heron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The color in the illustrations just pop! Fun activity in the end. All kids will see themselves in this story. Nice job !

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 7-year old son loves basketball…all sports really. He is a little behind in reading but was able to read this with no issues. The illustrations are amazing.

[Rebecca Caufman]

Steve Curry makes an appearance at the end and gives readers a list of things to find.

[Sequella Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good idea too wordy. Like the game at the back which sends back into the story..

[Iconic Greatness · Rating 3 out of 5]

The same message that is preached millions of times. Believe in yourself and don't give up. This is not a book that needed to be written is what many will say. But here's the thing. It doesn't matter who else said it before. If Stephen Curry Inspires some kid then guess what. That kid will take the advice more seriously and that's how it always works.

The illustrations in the book are fantastic. Its cartoonish but realistic looking. An amazing blend of colors.

There is a checklist at the end of the book to go back to the illustration and find the items on the list.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 3 out of 5]

12/23/2022 ~ Didactic and wordy. Will it circulate because of the name recognition of the author? Yes. Will I add it to my elementary library collection? Yes. Is the best book this year? No. Are the illustrations appealing? Yes - vivid and full of motion.