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Before the legend...before the icon...there was a teenager named Clark Kent. — — Clark and his friends are preparing for the Multicultural Day celebration in Smallville. As the festival approaches, several racially motivated attacks take place. Flyers for the festival are burned, a friend's house is trashed, and a runaway oil truck narrowly misses another friend's home. Oddly, the violence occurs in super-fast hypertime, so quickly that no one can see the attacker. When Clark realizes he's the only one who can solve the mystery, he tries to confront the culprit in "frozen time" to derail the ultimate racist plot.
208 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 16, 2003
3 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Cherie Bennett
135 books154 followersA popular novelist, playwright, and newspaper columnist, Cherie moves effortlessly from genre to genre, writing powerful and entertaining work, whether in literary hardcover teen fiction, mass market paperback fiction, for the stage, film and television, and for her nationally-syndicated teen advice column.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 19, 2011
In "Speed", Clark Kent and his friends are preparing for the Multicultural Day celebration in Smallville. Immediately, a series of racially motivated crimes begins. The first incident is more of a prank, but soon the attacks become violent and potentially deadly. Clark's friends Shaaban Mwariri and Tina Wu are the main targets. To make matters worse, the attacker is able to commit these crimes in no time at all and without being seen. It is up to Clark and his friends to found out who is responsible for the attacks and stop them, before it is too late.
The story is suspenseful in that there is the mystery as to who the attacker is, and with the crimes quickly escalating. The authors do a very good job of depicting young adults in general – and specifically, the characters from the television series. There are some instances where events from the show are briefly mentioned. I enjoyed the consistency.
There were a few minor things that could have been better. Once or twice in the story the authors tell you who is present in the scene, and then someone who was not mentioned starts speaking. I had to look to see if I had missed something. The other criticism is that some of Lex’s dialogue was not consistent with what I expect. Consider that a fan of the series being “picky”.
Overall, this was a good read and I would recommend it to fans of the series and/or anyone looking for a good quick read.
The story is suspenseful in that there is the mystery as to who the attacker is, and with the crimes quickly escalating. The authors do a very good job of depicting young adults in general – and specifically, the characters from the television series. There are some instances where events from the show are briefly mentioned. I enjoyed the consistency.
There were a few minor things that could have been better. Once or twice in the story the authors tell you who is present in the scene, and then someone who was not mentioned starts speaking. I had to look to see if I had missed something. The other criticism is that some of Lex’s dialogue was not consistent with what I expect. Consider that a fan of the series being “picky”.
Overall, this was a good read and I would recommend it to fans of the series and/or anyone looking for a good quick read.
March 8, 2024
This one would have made a great episode. I liked the new characters, Shaaban and Tina, and wish we could have seen them on the show. Speed is a bit of an interesting one because it tackles a serious subject, racism and hate crimes.
As Smallville gears up for a multicultural day celebration someone begins targeting families of colour around town. They trash the home of Dr. Mwariri, an agriculture expert from East Africa, who has recently moved to Smallville with his wife and son to help Lex develop a project. Dr. Mwariri's son, Shaaban, is one of Clark's friends and Clark and the gang are practicing a traditional African dance with him for the upcoming festival.
The story is interspliced with diary entries from the villain's point of view, printed in a different type, which work well to establish the creepy tone. The bad guy this time around has the ability to move so fast he can stop time, err time is stopped from regular peoples' perspectives.
This was another fun, quick tie-in read. Nice to see Clark, Lex, and the rest take a firm stand against racism and intolerance. There were a couple awkward moments though, that could have been handled differently - like everyone being completely dismissive of Pete when he says he feels the history teacher is prejudiced against him.
There's a weird comment about how a racist "wouldn't teach American history," made even weirder by Clark's admission to his father later in the book that they don't even learn about things like the Japanese internment camps in the American education system! Talk about cognitive dissonance! But the book's heart is in the right place, at least.
And it features Lex being a good person, which I'm always here for.
As Smallville gears up for a multicultural day celebration someone begins targeting families of colour around town. They trash the home of Dr. Mwariri, an agriculture expert from East Africa, who has recently moved to Smallville with his wife and son to help Lex develop a project. Dr. Mwariri's son, Shaaban, is one of Clark's friends and Clark and the gang are practicing a traditional African dance with him for the upcoming festival.
The story is interspliced with diary entries from the villain's point of view, printed in a different type, which work well to establish the creepy tone. The bad guy this time around has the ability to move so fast he can stop time, err time is stopped from regular peoples' perspectives.
This was another fun, quick tie-in read. Nice to see Clark, Lex, and the rest take a firm stand against racism and intolerance. There were a couple awkward moments though, that could have been handled differently - like everyone being completely dismissive of Pete when he says he feels the history teacher is prejudiced against him.
There's a weird comment about how a racist "wouldn't teach American history," made even weirder by Clark's admission to his father later in the book that they don't even learn about things like the Japanese internment camps in the American education system! Talk about cognitive dissonance! But the book's heart is in the right place, at least.
And it features Lex being a good person, which I'm always here for.
December 25, 2025
Set sometime early in the second season, what with Principal Reynolds being mentioned and Whitney being in the Marines, but it would appear that Pete doesn’t know about Clark’s secret and Lana’s tape to Whitney. I guess that it's directly before the episode Duplicity. Clark and his friends enjoy planning a multicultural festival that leads to a set of tragic hate crimes that Clark does his best to prevent. It affects not just Clark, but also two new friends, one a boy from Tanzania and another from Singapore, visiting Smallville, and Clark is determined to save his new friends.
Like most episodes in the show, this is related to a powerful ability granted to a mysterious white supremacist. Only it's not a mutation via the meteor rocks, but granted via a Kryptonite-powered hourglass that, when used, grants its user the ability to stop time. Hence the title, "Speed," because of the stoppage of time makes it look like he's traveling very fast. The villain's story is related to his actions, but also by these scary journal entries similar to The Turner Diaries. Creepy reading.
But at the same time as Smallville endures this, Clark grows suspicious about an unrelated fire that happened back in the 1940s, and he's motivated to discover the truth. This and more make this maybe a little too preachy, but a decent read.
I like a subtle reference to General Zod near the end of the book as Clark wonders if such hatred existed like that on his planet, and that being the reason it was destroyed.
Very good. A story that teaches the value of tolerance.
Like most episodes in the show, this is related to a powerful ability granted to a mysterious white supremacist. Only it's not a mutation via the meteor rocks, but granted via a Kryptonite-powered hourglass that, when used, grants its user the ability to stop time. Hence the title, "Speed," because of the stoppage of time makes it look like he's traveling very fast. The villain's story is related to his actions, but also by these scary journal entries similar to The Turner Diaries. Creepy reading.
But at the same time as Smallville endures this, Clark grows suspicious about an unrelated fire that happened back in the 1940s, and he's motivated to discover the truth. This and more make this maybe a little too preachy, but a decent read.
I like a subtle reference to General Zod near the end of the book as Clark wonders if such hatred existed like that on his planet, and that being the reason it was destroyed.
Very good. A story that teaches the value of tolerance.
May 15, 2019
This was a good Smallville story, and I'm kicking it up an extra star for the very relevant social message in it. The TV series rarely dealt with race or social issues, so it was interesting to see characters I know so well addressing such a serious issue. Even with that focus it never felt heavy handed, but remained exciting and true to the characters. Very well done.
I got the chance to chat with co-author Jeff Gottesfeld about Smallville and more over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/of...
I got the chance to chat with co-author Jeff Gottesfeld about Smallville and more over on the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/of...
February 18, 2019
In this 5th installment of novels for young adults, Clark finds himself battling racism and hate in his beloved hometown. As a side plot, Lana struggles with her feelings for Clark and her failing relationship with an absent Whitney. Pete worries about looking cool while doing an African dance and Chloe contemplates coercing women into sexual servitude. OK, that last one actually refers to Allison Mack, but I couldn't resist.
Not bad for a YA novel though the real villain was pretty easy to figure out. The intent of the novel is what's important - addressing racism and general xenophobia. Take heed, Trump supporters. Haters gonna hate, ya know! If Trump could read something that didn't have his name in it, I'd recommend this book to him and maybe he'd think twice about his stupid detention centers and his dumb wall. But then again .... not likely. Oh well.
The characters re true to those in the television show. I particularly like how the subtext of Lex's behavior reflects his own need for approval more than his "need" to do right. Nicely done, guys!
Not bad for a YA novel though the real villain was pretty easy to figure out. The intent of the novel is what's important - addressing racism and general xenophobia. Take heed, Trump supporters. Haters gonna hate, ya know! If Trump could read something that didn't have his name in it, I'd recommend this book to him and maybe he'd think twice about his stupid detention centers and his dumb wall. But then again .... not likely. Oh well.
The characters re true to those in the television show. I particularly like how the subtext of Lex's behavior reflects his own need for approval more than his "need" to do right. Nicely done, guys!
December 9, 2024
Ok. Will have to call this the best Smallville book I've read so far. Not only was it well written, it is one of the closest to real life stories you could probably find in the fiction section.
The story in this books is about how racism is, and has been, alive in Smallville. Considering this book was written in 2003, it's really sad that it's even more relevant now in 2024.
The story in this books is about how racism is, and has been, alive in Smallville. Considering this book was written in 2003, it's really sad that it's even more relevant now in 2024.
August 22, 2025
I read this book in high school.
It's about a racist that can travel at fast speeds. What the fuck is this book? lol.
It's about a racist that can travel at fast speeds. What the fuck is this book? lol.
October 19, 2025
Mi favorito de la colección azul por la aparición de Flash y la concepción espacio-temporal.
FRASES DESTACADAS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLca...
FRASES DESTACADAS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuLca...
February 13, 2017
Book six of the young adult series turns down the dial of enjoyment a bit. It's still okay since it invents a new story for the series instead of just rehashing a general episode like the first book did, but it's cheesier and doesn't capture the character personalities as genuinely.
'Speed' focuses on discrimination and the social message to avoid judging people by their looks, differences, and race. Hate crime has come to Smallville big time through a strange meteor freak, and of course Clark and crew use this opportunity to jump on the saving, politically correct bandwagon.
Again there is a festival financially backed and conceived by Lex Luthor, who wishes to bring recognition to the importance of diversity. Interestingly enough Peter and Jonathan continue to show their prejudice to Lex throughout the book while embracing accepting other people without judgement.
Some of the character's intensity of reactions - especially outrage and insta-anger - feel a little contrived and unconvincing. Lex was especially annoyed and determined, with the authors putting in a strange invented story about him being mistaken as a skinhead in his youth because of his bald head.
Even if it's not as much of a winner, it's still worth reading for fans of the series, managing to keep that same wholesome, feel good value to it. The little inventions that add to the existing stories is what makes the books worth reading for fans.
Funny the last page ended with Clark saying to Lex, "If you ever decide to run for president, count on me to be your campaign manager." How things change.
'Speed' focuses on discrimination and the social message to avoid judging people by their looks, differences, and race. Hate crime has come to Smallville big time through a strange meteor freak, and of course Clark and crew use this opportunity to jump on the saving, politically correct bandwagon.
Again there is a festival financially backed and conceived by Lex Luthor, who wishes to bring recognition to the importance of diversity. Interestingly enough Peter and Jonathan continue to show their prejudice to Lex throughout the book while embracing accepting other people without judgement.
Some of the character's intensity of reactions - especially outrage and insta-anger - feel a little contrived and unconvincing. Lex was especially annoyed and determined, with the authors putting in a strange invented story about him being mistaken as a skinhead in his youth because of his bald head.
Even if it's not as much of a winner, it's still worth reading for fans of the series, managing to keep that same wholesome, feel good value to it. The little inventions that add to the existing stories is what makes the books worth reading for fans.
Funny the last page ended with Clark saying to Lex, "If you ever decide to run for president, count on me to be your campaign manager." How things change.
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May 17, 2010F SMA bk.5
Science Fiction
Science Fiction
December 7, 2018
This series are very amazing. :D
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews