Kid Comet and the Sixth Grade Shadow

by Christopher Bodmann

Superpowers don’t always solve your super problems.

The hardest part about being a superhero isn’t the punches, the powers, or even the secret identity. It’s getting back up when everything tells you to stay down.Josh Jacobs, Jr. wasn’t looking for trouble—he’s had enough of that already. New town, new school, and after what happened at his last one, he’s keeping his head down. But when he steps in to stop a bully, something awakens inside him. A power. A force unlike anything he’s ever felt.Just as Josh starts to get a handle on his new abilities, the town is attacked by a monster from his nightmares—a shadowy villain that knows all of Josh’s fears.Can Kid Comet find the courage to defeat his nemesis and save Rockvale?

Genres: Superheroes

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2025

About the author

Christopher Bodmann has always been captivated by the power of storytelling. He believes stories exist to inspire, drive action, and ignite passion. This conviction fuels his writing, with the hope that his words will one day inspire something extraordinary. For Christopher, the ultimate fulfillment comes from knowing that his stories have given young readers confidence and belief in themselves.

Christopher is dedicated to crafting fun, engaging stories with relatable characters. He uses fantasy elements to address real-world issues that middle-grade readers might face, aiming to create a meaningful connection with his audience. He is particularly passionate about encouraging middle-grade boys to become avid readers by incorporating “gateway” topics that resonate with their interests, while also ensuring his content appeals to all audiences.

Christopher resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his loving wife and their five wonderful children.

Reviews

[Polly Bringhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story checks all the boxes of a true superhero tale: emerging powers, awkward moments while learning to use those powers, a helpful mentor, sidekicks, secrets, and of course—a villain. But what’s truly great about Kid Comet is the symbolism underscoring the hero’s connection to the villain.

Kids and adults will be able to relate to the themes of isolation, grief, and guilt that come in the wake of a great loss. And while these themes are heavy, the author handles them in a way that isn’t oppressive. Even when the hero faces his darkest moment, the reader feels hope on the horizon. And with friends like Mikey and Xandra, how could Kid Comet ever fail?

I reviewed this book voluntarily after receiving an advance review copy and am looking forward to the other books in this series.

[Dakota Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life isn’t easy for 12-year-old Josh Jacobs. Moving to a new town, heading to a new school, not to mention getting all the “special” treatment he can’t stand as he navigates life with cerebral palsy makes every day a challenge. But everything else pales in comparison to the grief and guilt he feels over his father’s death. And when his own mysterious powers emerge, life gets even more complicated. Encouraged by his grandfather and his two new tenacious friends, Mikey and Xandra, Josh must learn how to use his new powers quickly as a heated battle begins against a deadly creature in the shadows.
“Kid Comet and the Sixth Grade Shadow” by Christopher Bodmann is an excellent middle-grade superhero adventure. The story is so absorbing that I had a very difficult time focusing on the “real world”, and I intensely disliked any interruptions to this epic tale. The world sucked me right in, as Josh’s struggles spoke right to my heart. The feelings of grief, the shadows of guilt, disappointment in one’s self and the desire to simply be understood…these emotions were so tangible that Josh’s world seemed far more real than my own. I liked Mikey and Xandra’s determination to be Josh’s friends no matter what, and I loved it that Josh’s granddad is a kind mentor with a few secrets of his own.
The action is well-paced, and keeps the story flowing without becoming overwhelming. Josh learns to use his new powers as he confronts the complex emotions inside himself, struggling to overcome past trauma and do what is right, even if it’s difficult. I was able to figure out about half of the twist at the end, while the other half left me thunderstruck. Above all, this story speaks about the true essence of being a hero. It isn’t about powers or outer strength, but about being there for others and moving forward, no matter how many times life knocks you down. This message of determination, courage, and valor combined with exceptional storytelling prowess earns this action-packed tale five out of five stars.
Containing blood, fantasy violence, one innuendo, and one instance of language, this adventure is suitable for readers 12 and up who love a respectful, serious approach to the superhero genre. A tale of overcoming the odds and finding the true hero within, this is a great new addition to the world of superpowered storytelling.
I received a free review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joseph Guyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christopher Bodmann's KID COMET AND THE SIXTH GRADE SECRET is a pulse-pounding superhero tale with a huge heart. Josh Jacobs, who suffers from cerebral palsy and who recently lost his father in a car accident, finds himself in a new town, attending a new school full of new kids... and with that comes amazing new powers.

KID COMET has a colorful cast of characters, including Josh's loyal friends Mikey and Xandra; his mentor grandfather (who may or may not be a superhero in his own right); and the enigmatic Jack Shade, another newcomer to the school who seems to know exactly how to get under Josh's skin.

I'm a longtime lover of all things comic books and superheroes, so the novel appealed to me at every step. I particularly enjoyed the numerous action scenes, which feel as exciting as your favorite Marvel movie.

Having said that, I don't believe the reader is required to be a comic book fan. When it comes down to it, KID COMET is a story about overcoming obstacles and believing in yourself -- universal themes that speak to all of us.

The novel's emphasis on the importance of friendship, overcoming personal obstacles, dealing with grief, and standing up to bullies will appeal to middle-grade readers, particularly boys who may be reluctant to read "chapter books." And as I understand it, this is the first in a planned trilogy of KID COMET books, so there's much more to come. Highly recommended!

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This middle-grade book is action-packed with superheroes, family, and discovery.

Josh and his mom have moved back to this small town where she grew up. If you have ever moved as a child, you know that it can be hard. You have to find new friends, new activities, and figure out how to fit in to this new community. It doesn't help that Josh is carrying the weight of his dad's death on his shoulders. Josh also has cerebral palsy, so that makes life a little harder at times, too.

This story checks a lot of boxes - action, angst, family, friendship, bullies, and discovery. Josh learns a lot in a short time after moving to Rockvale. Despite trying to isolate himself from others, two classmates see through his efforts and insert themselves into his life. Mikey and Xandra are intriguing characters that add dimension to the story. They don't let Josh go about all of this on his own.

I like Josh's grandfather. He has a secret, too, that is eventually shared with Josh when the time is right. They have a good bond, and I can only imagine his role in future books. There are even some touching scenes with his mother clearing up events surrounding his dad's death. Communication is key, but can be hard in times of grief.

This novel also spreads a message about feelings, self-worth, and believing in yourself. A great book to read with your kids and discuss afterwards, especially when the truth about the shadow is revealed.

We give this book 5 paws up.

[MiddleGrade YA Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining read for me! First of all, the writing is crisp and readable; the storyline is easy to comprehend and follow; and the nostalgic vibes were just marvelous! It brought back the superheroes of my childhood like Superman and HeMan. The cover art is so magnetic and perfect, like in the vein of Archie and Friends comics!
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I highly recommend this book to all of my acquaintances who love MG Fiction on here. This is a must-read and satisfaction is guaranteed!
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I want to personally thank author @ChristopherBodmannAuthor for my copy. I am hooked and am now eagerly anticipating future episodes to delve in and marvel at. Cheers!

[Ameliessa Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the very first page. Kid Comet and the Sixth Grade Shadow is more than a superhero story, it’s a real, emotional journey through fear, anger, and finding your inner strength. Josh is such a relatable main character, and I loved how his biggest battle wasn't just with the villain, but with himself. Perfect for readers who love action with heart, and for any kid who’s ever felt overwhelmed by big feelings. A thoughtful and exciting read!

[Cristy (Quinnbook) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kid Comet and the Sixth Grade Shadow was phenomenal. It had so much heart and wonder, I especially loved the parts with Josh’s grandpa and how much they bonded. The story is full of real life problems kids face everyday and how they manage to deal with them.

Josh and his mom move back to their hometown to be near his grandad. After Josh’s dad passed away things were tough for the both of them. Josh spends time in his grandad antique store helping him and all of a sudden finds an ultra rare superhero toy he really wants. After that things get a little weird and weird stuff start to happen. Josh finds adjusting to his new school a bit difficult with the occasional bully always trying to make them uncomfortable. Until he notices that he develops superpowers (my favorite is shooting rays out of his eyes) and now has to stop a formidable entity trying to make havoc in town. Definitely pick this book up if you love superhero stories and comic books as well.

[L. Hues · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of loss and grief and growth and learning to get back up all rolled into a fast-paced superhero story.