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laura_cs's review
5.0
In World War II era Philadelphia, Josie O'Malley is an Irish immigrant girl who works at a diner to make ends meet while her mother works overtime building battleships and her father is in the Pacific fighting the Japanese. Josie is a fan of the superheroes that have been protecting cities across the world. But just when the superheroes are needed the most, they have disappeared. Josie also loves puzzles, and she wants to use her ability to solve puzzles to help fight the Nazis. So when the opportunity comes up to take tests to do just that, she jumps at the chance. However, the man at the testing center immediately throws away her completed test--along with all of the other girls. However, she and two other girls--African American Mae and Japanese Akiko--gain the attention of the mysterious Ms. B. What are the secrets of Room 12? And what do they have to do with superheroes? The girls are going to find out... and discover their own inner strengths along the way.
Blending traditional prose with superhero comicbook style, "Cape" is a fantastic debut to this series about three girls who fight Nazis, solve mysteries, develop a close friendship, and discover that they have superpowers! Readers of all ages will be delighted with this cast of characters and be fascinated with how the true history of World War II blends with this fictional world, but also feel anger and resentment for the America of the past, and how that World War II might be over but we're still fighting some of the same problems to this day.
I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures lie in-store for Josie, Mae and Akiko!
Blending traditional prose with superhero comicbook style, "Cape" is a fantastic debut to this series about three girls who fight Nazis, solve mysteries, develop a close friendship, and discover that they have superpowers! Readers of all ages will be delighted with this cast of characters and be fascinated with how the true history of World War II blends with this fictional world, but also feel anger and resentment for the America of the past, and how that World War II might be over but we're still fighting some of the same problems to this day.
I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures lie in-store for Josie, Mae and Akiko!
your_poisonous_flower's review
Pretty good although technically I never finished the book as my version had the last 50 or so pages missing (anyone wanna spoil the ending for me??
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book is such a fun mixture of genres and formats: a historical fiction superhero novel with graphic novel elements! Right there, I was sold. This book will appeal to such a wide variety of kids, and I think it will get many of them reading about an era that they wouldn’t otherwise have thought they’d be interested in.
The book is set in the US during WWII, and it highlights the real-life women (and a few men) who contributed to the war effort in truly unique ways! I actually felt like I learned a lot from the book (and the author’s note at the end), but it definitely doesn’t feel like learning while you’re reading. The superhero elements are incredibly fun, and many of the most active superhero sections of the book are told via graphic novel format (via the amazing illustrations from Patrick Spaziante). The book also features a diverse trio of girls (one black, one Irish and one Japanese) who are trying to make the world a better place and touches on issues of racism and the Japanese internment. All three girls have family members fighting in the war, and the fear and tension that goes with that is not overlooked (though the book never gets too heavy-handed). There are a few things that aren’t exactly believable (no one knows that the girls are the superheroes? Those must be some fantastic masks), but you’re not reading this sort of story for believability. Also, a sad event is revealed at the end of the book, but it’s glossed over just a little bit and didn’t feel realistic to me—but this is a middle grade book, and I think Hannigan wanted to include that element without making the book overly depressing. All in all, I would highly recommend this fabulous read!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This book is such a fun mixture of genres and formats: a historical fiction superhero novel with graphic novel elements! Right there, I was sold. This book will appeal to such a wide variety of kids, and I think it will get many of them reading about an era that they wouldn’t otherwise have thought they’d be interested in.
The book is set in the US during WWII, and it highlights the real-life women (and a few men) who contributed to the war effort in truly unique ways! I actually felt like I learned a lot from the book (and the author’s note at the end), but it definitely doesn’t feel like learning while you’re reading. The superhero elements are incredibly fun, and many of the most active superhero sections of the book are told via graphic novel format (via the amazing illustrations from Patrick Spaziante). The book also features a diverse trio of girls (one black, one Irish and one Japanese) who are trying to make the world a better place and touches on issues of racism and the Japanese internment. All three girls have family members fighting in the war, and the fear and tension that goes with that is not overlooked (though the book never gets too heavy-handed). There are a few things that aren’t exactly believable (no one knows that the girls are the superheroes? Those must be some fantastic masks), but you’re not reading this sort of story for believability. Also, a sad event is revealed at the end of the book, but it’s glossed over just a little bit and didn’t feel realistic to me—but this is a middle grade book, and I think Hannigan wanted to include that element without making the book overly depressing. All in all, I would highly recommend this fabulous read!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
hidingzeus's review
2.0
I liked the historical aspect and the exploration of what super heroes looked like before Superman swept everyone away but it lacked focus.
suzannedix's review
2.0
I kept expecting a super hero book to be exciting but 100 pages in I just couldn't find the interest to finish. I was really disappointed because the set-up was fantastic: three feisty girls dealing with discrimination and bullies, the backdrop of WWII and they mysterious "cape." Alas, maybe I'm giving up too early but I just need to set this one aside.
readingthroughtheages's review
4.0
Very cool how Hannigan combines historical fiction with super hero characters. And part of the story is told through comics, reminiscent of the Marvel/DC Comics.
curlyheadedone's review
4.0
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read an eARC of this book!
Cape is set in Philiadelipa during WWII and follows the story of Josie, Akimo and Mae. The girls meet at a puzzler job tryout..where they soon learn about the evil Mr. Hissler and The League of Secret Heroes. The girls get their powers when the put of the boots, mask and cape of a super hero that disappears right in front of them.
So what I really love about this story is all the girl power in it and also how it didn't shy away from some topic. Our main characters are a diverse group of ladies and they do face prejudice because of the time period it is set in. I love how Josie sees how wrong that is.
"And it occurred to me that prejudices were a lot like allergies. They made it hard for us to really see."
Other things that I loved is how the book has few pages that are written like comic book. I really enjoyed that. I like that the author included the real life history behind the story. Also how some of the characters in the book were real people. She also gave the reader websites and book incases they wanted to learn more.
Overall I think this is a great middle grade book. It has a Agent Carter/ Wonder Woman feel and it as plenty of action packed scenes! I think that readers (not just kids but adults too) are going to love it!
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Cape is set in Philiadelipa during WWII and follows the story of Josie, Akimo and Mae. The girls meet at a puzzler job tryout..where they soon learn about the evil Mr. Hissler and The League of Secret Heroes. The girls get their powers when the put of the boots, mask and cape of a super hero that disappears right in front of them.
So what I really love about this story is all the girl power in it and also how it didn't shy away from some topic. Our main characters are a diverse group of ladies and they do face prejudice because of the time period it is set in. I love how Josie sees how wrong that is.
"And it occurred to me that prejudices were a lot like allergies. They made it hard for us to really see."
Other things that I loved is how the book has few pages that are written like comic book. I really enjoyed that. I like that the author included the real life history behind the story. Also how some of the characters in the book were real people. She also gave the reader websites and book incases they wanted to learn more.
Overall I think this is a great middle grade book. It has a Agent Carter/ Wonder Woman feel and it as plenty of action packed scenes! I think that readers (not just kids but adults too) are going to love it!
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*