The Secrets of the Superhero's Ring

Eleven-year-old Kyle Alexander is a scrawny fifth-grade boy who is afraid of heights, and fights and flights. He's also very clumsy. He's bullied at school where he and his best friend, Carlos, are the new kids. But he becomes Chicago's newest superhero, thanks to a magic ring he found in a specially-marked box of cereal. It was supposed to be a toy copy of a ring belonging to a mighty superhero, but somehow, he got the real thing. He becomes known as "Cockroach," named by a gang of nasty crooks who mock him for his odd costume and general ineptness.

The world of superheroes gets an upgrade with the Cockroach the Superhero series. Middle-grade readers will love the fast-paced thrills, the chemistry between the characters, and the arresting magical realism in volume two, The Secrets of the Superhero's Ring. Author Steve Frederick expertly weaves a story that is timeless, bringing together elements of self-discovery, resoluteness, and valor. The Secrets of the Superhero's Ring is a perfect cross-market read for middle-grade and young adult readers who are searching for the next enduring superhero classic.