My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord

My Brother is a Superhero #2

by David Solomons

Zack and Lara have superpowers. Luke has new school shoes and a burning sense of resentment. He KNOWS that aliens disguised as gym teachers are about to attack Earth but will anyone listen? No. So one dodgy pact with a self-styled supervillain later, and Luke is ready to save the world. He just needs to find his trainers…

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Fantasy, Humor

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2016

About the author

David Solomons has been writing screenplays for many years. His first feature film was an adaptation of ‘Five Children and It’ (starring Kenneth Branagh and Eddie Izzard, with gala screenings at the Toronto and Tribeca Film Festivals). His latest film is a romantic comedy set in the world of publishing, ‘Not Another Happy Ending’ (Karen Gillan, Iain de Caestecker), which closed the Edinburgh International Film Festival. My Brother is a Superhero is his first novel for children. He was born in Glasgow and now lives in Dorset with his wife (and novelist) Natasha, and son, Luke.

Reviews

[Siddharth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was fun, entertaining and really enjoyable but i still prefer the first book in this series.

[Miss Lynham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and think children will to! I have recently been supply teaching rather than full-time with a contract (still working on that), and I am lucky enough to have a couple of schools that have me back throughout the year. In one such school I did 2 weeks cover in a year 5 class in the early summer term. I am enthusiastic about reading and good quality book talk and so we had a session sharing books we've enjoyed and recommending books to others. Between the class they recommended a list, I had not yet read, that filled a post-it and accompanied me on my next book shop visit. One of the boys in the class was reading and highly recommended 'My Brother Is A Super hero' by David Solomons. When I spotted this in the buy 1 get 1 1/2 price, how could I resist.

I loved the book and expressed this on twitter... The author saw my tweet and suggested the sequel (this book), he even sent me a copy - which is awesome!! Being on a reading spree just now I had another book on the go when this arrived, however it wasn't long before I could no longer resist its call. I got stuck in and read the book in 2 days (well evenings as work also called).

Just like the first book this one was full of humour, heroes and of course imminent destruction of Earth. I especially love the way David Solomon has linked the books together. At the end of the first book we saw Zorbon the decider return to earth and gift Lara super powers (Luke had missed out again due to a badly timed wee). At the end of this book there is another lead in to I assume the newest of David Solomons’ novels. I can't wait to pick up a copy and continue the adventure with Luke, Lara, Zack and Serge!!

As teachers we often come across reluctant readers (more frequently boys), those who've just not got the reading bug - yet! A few years a go it was David Walliams who opened a gateway for many of these readers. I firmly believe these books will also appeal to boys and girls who are yet to be gripped by that reading bug, and invite them into the world inside a book.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved MY BROTHER IS A SUPERHERO. It managed to tread that wonderfully fine line where adults and children can enjoy a book in equal measure. This follow-up does not disappoint. It builds upon the characters introduced in the first story and actually does some nice character development. Again there is some really funny writing and some great lines of dialogue. The references are still there, from Superman’s bald head in THE REIGN OF THE SUPERMAN (1933 short story by Siegel and Shuster) to ARM-FALL-OFF-BOY (yes this character REALLY DOES exist) and some clever re-appropriation of classic lines. Another hit from David Solomons, looking forward to the next book already. highly highly recommended. up up and awaaaay :)

[John Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mentioned when I read the first book in the series that I needed to read the sequels. This first sequel didn't disappoint.

The comedy is just as good, the references even better and the plot has more peril. It is the kind of book I wish existed when I was 12. I would have loved it just as much then.

It does feel slightly more grown up in places which is good in a continuing series. The author added some adult references which children won't know are references. I am always fine with this.

I definitely recommend this series. It has superheroes, aliens and moles. That is as far as spoilers in my review go. I will read book 3 as soon as I can.

[Mark Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

My name is Luke, and I was angry and lonely before I screwed everything up. Don't tell anyone, but my brother Zack is Star Guy, and my neighbor Lara is Dark Flutter. They're too busy saving the world to spend time with me, and I can't hang out with my best friend Serge since his parents say I'm a bad influence. So... that's how I came to play the new Puny Earthlings! video game and showed aliens how to defeat Star Guy. I can't convince my brother of the alien invasion, so it looks like it's S.C.A.R.F.'s time to shine. However, my teammates aren't talking to me, and I'm asking for help from Christopher Talbot, the comic book store owner who once tried to take over the world. You know your plans to save the planet are shaky when you need to trust a supervillain.

As you may have sensed, this book tells a silly, corny story of good versus evil. The alien plot concerns an intergalactic reality show, and it uses Luke's thoughts to frighten him. The spaceship looks like his school, and all of the aliens appear as his PE teacher. Luke is annoyed that a guy from another dimension gave Zack and Lara superpowers, while he's the lover of comics who most wants to be a superhero. To be fair, Zorbon couldn't give Luke powers in book one, since Luke was taking a bathroom break. Luke's conflicted, since it's hard for a hero without powers to defeat supervillains and aliens. His intelligence and imagination are keys to resolving the conflicts, but he doesn't get any public recognition. The entertainment in this book comes from the wacky situations, characters, and goofy jokes. Heck, TV remote controls are alien weapons. The last page drops a huge surprise that leads right into a sequel. Overall, you need to have a high tolerance for goofiness to enjoy this book. I do, and I did.

[Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. A little better than the first one probably. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the rest of the books will come out in US editions. Normally, I wouldn't care, but there are some noticeable differences between the UK and US editions. Star Guy (US) is Star Lad (UK). That's the most notable difference, besides all the Britishisms being translated into American. Instead of taking place in London, it seems to take place in some anonymous American city. I don't really know why they thought they had to make distinct US editions in the first place. It's good for kids to experience other cultures, albeit one that is only slightly different.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun sequel to My Brother is a Superhero! Very fun book; it was interesting to see the characters from the first novel develop a little more. I enjoyed this so much I decided to buy the last three novels in this series so I can read them (since none of my accessible libraries have copies of the last three)!

There were a couple of times when I was a little lost in the plot due to author-decided time jumps; but they were all explained later. The initial confusion is the only reason I gave this a 4 * rating.

[Åsmund Ådnøy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ikke like sprudlende overbevisende som den første boka i serien - mer formelpreget. Anslaget er best, klimakset hvor jorden skal reddes fra utslettelse (hva ellers?) varer og varer, til det ikke er spenning, bare irritasjon igjen hos meg som leser.

Likevel en solid oppfølger hvor persongalleriet får mer kjøtt på beina, og jeg gleder meg til neste bok. Passelig referanse-tungt, men ikke så mye at det virker ekskluderende.

[Sølvi My · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sjov bog i 1. person. Den er et stykke tid om rigtigt at komme i gang, men den er ret spændende, når den først er kommet i gang. Den handler om drengen Luke, der ved et uheld giver en invasionsstyrke af rumvæsner nøglen til at overvinde Stjernefyr og invadere jorden. Det er nu op til et skrøbeligt hold af venner og fjender at redde jorden. For Stjernefyr, Lukes bror, vil ikke lytte. Da stjernefyr bliver sat ud af spillet, bliver det kun sværere at forhindre dommedagsrealityporammet.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Solomons mi aveva conquistata per la sua semplicità e ironia, arricchita di quel pizzico di cliché fumettistici che tanto amo e trasformandoli in un romanzo dinamico, dove l’imprevedibile è all’ordine del giorno. Ritrovare la stessa freschezza e spensieratezza è stato un po’ come ritornare a casa e rendersi conto che non c’è posto più bello di quello.

[Seawood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly agree with the reviewer that said it's hard to do junior fiction that's funny without being cruel. This series is the antidote to the mean kid humour I dislike so much. Funny, thoughtful and endlessly inventive, these are going to go down very well in the library. I love the villain arc in this one, it's fab.

[Ruby Ridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Solomons shows us again that Brits can be funny (or is he the exception that proves the rule)
;Lara is becoming a greater character than Zack and Cara finally comes into her own
Good second book in the series (a rare feat)

[Jan Kjellin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inte alls lika underhållande som första boken, men den har väl sina ljusa stunder och poänger. 8-åringen gillade den i alla fall, och det är ändå det som betyder mest i det här läget. ;)

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book.

[Jonas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and entertaining! Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I highly recommend this book!

[Jack Kavanagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very funny, and made me want to keep reading. Sometimes I would have to be told to put it down!

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read after reading book 1 to kids...not as good but still entertaining

[Michelle Sonnier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the series, read to my son chapter by chapter as bedtime stories. He really liked it and is excited to start the next one in the series.

[Nicola lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because it was funny and exciting
I date it 5/5 because it was so good and humorous

[Séan Brazier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing, excitable plot twists says Elsie

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying listening to this series, I love all the comic book references and humor in these books.

I know they are aimed for younger people but a good fun source of escapism for any age.

[Joelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel that does not disappoint.

[Jane Thomsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.... one I will definitely be reading with my kiddos when school is back.

[Rebeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte foarte interesanta! Chiar daca nu am citit primul volum ( aceasta carte fiind volumul 2 ) chiar am înțeles acțiunea și mi a plăcut. Voi citi cu siguranță volumul 1 și volumul 3! O recomand!

[Danjela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehh

[Elizabeth Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this series for my little cousins and we read them together. We LOVED them.

[Daisy May Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's very hard to do funny in the world of children's and young adult literature. It's even harder to do funny that doesn't shift over to being cruel. Louise Rennison was the queen at this, balancing her delicious and hysterical prose with a genuine love for the world. My Gym Teacher is An Alien Overlord, the second book in the My Brother is A Superhero (these titles!) series, reminds me a lot of Rennison at her best. Though it's written for a younger audience, My Gym Teacher has that similar sense of heart. It revels in its space and it's bright, swift and deeply, genuinely, funny.

Luke's brother, Zack, has superpowers. Luke's friend, Lara, has superpowers (and a gift for delicious malapropisms). Luke has resentment and a side order of 'knowing exactly what is happening with the aliens about to invade Earth but nobody is listening to him let alone all the people with superpowers itis'. It is the second in a series and several of the references will definitely make more sense if you've read its predecessor, My Brother Is A Superhero. This shouldn't be too much of a trial though as both books are a deep delight to read.

There's a thing about children's books in that quite often they have to appeal to both child and adult; books don't arrive in children's hands like magic. They have to get there and in that process get past a whole host of gatekeepers. I'm one of them. You're another, that lady's nan is one, that guy down the road is another. What Solomons does, in his deeply satisfying and packed with in-joke prose, is that he ticks all the boxes necessary to open those gates without neglecting the quality of what he's writing. It's a difficult road to travel. You don't write for children whilst writing for adults. But - this series is rapidly developing into something that's for everyone regardless of age or literary leanings. And that's a great, great gift.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out a loud a few times at this, and loved the witty in-jokes and references, children will laugh and adults will join in.

A sequel to 'My Brother is a Superhero', you might be confused if you read this in isolation to Solomon's first. The superhero (brother to our protagonist) Star Lad, recently lauded for saving the world from a villain and an asteroid, has returned to his life at school, his maths books, his secret crush, while Luke still craves his own superpowers and emulates his own comic book idols. None of which are his older and comic-less brother Zack.

Can he and Serge muscle in on some superhero action? Luke thinks his gym teacher just might be the next villain that needs defeating, and surely every superhero needs sidekicks and a backup team? As well as a logo.

When the villains of the piece do show themselves, it's just brilliant in its reasoning and plot. I loved the storyline, so perfect for readers today, and they'll get the joke.

Good mix of genders in the lead roles, it's not just the boys who wear the capes (or who get to save a day or two).

I liked the references to Hamlet and Terminator as much as to comic book superheroes, it fleshed it all out nicely to make Luke a smart geek that you appreciated as a potential superhero ally.

Nicely paced, there are a few climaxes and lots of gadgets/costumes/weapons to give comic/action fans their fix, but plenty of humour, wisecracks and fast-moving adventure to keep everyone happy.

Nice open ending that leaves us wanting to know what precisely is going to happen next. Great set of characters set up now for a longer series.

With thanks to the publisher for the advance reading copy.

[Khadagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with my 12yo son. Was a very fun read for the both of us together, sparked a few conversations. Good book for his age.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one was a mixture of spotty comedy and surprisingly serious drama. This book is pretty much entirely comedy, but the humor is better and the tone more consistent, so I find that I enjoyed it more during a reread. The character work and themes are also better than I remember, even if the plot is kind of goofy.

Christopher Talbot (and his relationship with Luke) is one of the best parts of this book. I also really liked Cara, surprisingly, and the clever way that the Mattias issue is resolved.

I do have some complaints, though. For one, the aliens must have known that Star Guy was attracted to Cara if they programmed it into the game, so why did they need that whole scheme for their plan to work? No, I won't accept "stop overthinking it" as a valid answer. Also, early on, they mention in passing that Zack and Lara have been fighting actual supernatural threats...which is weird, because in the last book, the world was normal except for Zack himself. The off-screen supervillains turn out to be connected to the aliens, but still, it doesn't make sense that nobody acts like an evil JC Penny computer is weird, but three planes malfunctioning is.