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A review by stateofiction
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I cannot believe the ratings of this problematic trash. Even ignoring all the TJ Klune controversy, this alone holds enough to "cancel" him yet I haven't heard one person even mention the problems. I have nothing good to say about this book.
Issue #1: The casual use of the D slur written by a gay man, used by a gay man.
Issue #2: Abusive parent. Nick has ADHD, and his father's general response any time Nick had a singular emotion was to say "have you taken your meds?". He also believed privacy was a privilege and grounded without a time limit.
Issue #3: HEAVY COPAGANDA. This book has blue lives matter written all over it. Every few pages Nick would go on about how good cops are, then often within the same page, a cop would be a pig? In one specific example, Nick went off about how cops should be paid more (they should not), then the cop he was speaking to said he wished he could use his taser more freely. There are so many other instances like this as well.
Issue #4: Back to Nick's ADHD. Nick was constantly blaming being a bad friend and being selfish on "lol I have ADHD". How is that type of representation positive to young readers with ADHD? How is that positive for people without it wanting to learn?
This is one of the most damaging pieces of children's literature I have read published post 2000. I would not recommend this to anyone, and I question your judgement if you found no problems with it.
Issue #1: The casual use of the D slur written by a gay man, used by a gay man.
Issue #2: Abusive parent. Nick has ADHD, and his father's general response any time Nick had a singular emotion was to say "have you taken your meds?". He also believed privacy was a privilege and grounded without a time limit.
Issue #3: HEAVY COPAGANDA. This book has blue lives matter written all over it. Every few pages Nick would go on about how good cops are, then often within the same page, a cop would be a pig? In one specific example, Nick went off about how cops should be paid more (they should not), then the cop he was speaking to said he wished he could use his taser more freely. There are so many other instances like this as well.
Issue #4: Back to Nick's ADHD. Nick was constantly blaming being a bad friend and being selfish on "lol I have ADHD". How is that type of representation positive to young readers with ADHD? How is that positive for people without it wanting to learn?
This is one of the most damaging pieces of children's literature I have read published post 2000. I would not recommend this to anyone, and I question your judgement if you found no problems with it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Gun violence, and Homophobia