An Extra-Ordinary Girl

Ellie Ultra

by Gina Bellisario, Jessika von Innerebner (Illustrator)

Ellie is super excited for first day at Winkopolis Elementary School. After spending her whole life being homeschooled by super-genius inventor parents, she can't wait to hang out with normal kids and learn normal things. But Ellie soon learns that her super powers make her stand out in a not-so-super way. Can she save the world and fit in with her new friends? Or is blending in the one thing this superhero can't do?

Genres: Childrens, Chapter Books, Fantasy, Superheroes

128 pages, Library Binding

Published August 1, 2016

About the author

Gina Bellisario is the author of many super books for kids, including Give Back, Camp Grandma and Grandpa, and the early chapter book series Ellie Ultra, which is about a third-grade superhero! Her first book, The Twelve Days of Christmas in Illinois, was recognized by the Illinois Office of Tourism, and most recently, Give Back was selected for the 2026 Illinois Reads program.

When Gina isn't crafting a story, she is visiting schools to share her books and celebrate young readers and writers. She also mentors budding authors who want to learn more about writing for children. For writing tips and news about her forthcoming books, visit www.ginabellisario.com.

Reviews

[Beenee Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book amused me to no end! The names of things made me laugh and the plot itself was an oldie but definitely a goody!

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story starring Ellie Ultra, a little girl of color (!) that has trouble fitting in. Who can't relate to that? (Aside - I considered naming my daughter Ellie - my grandmother's name is Eleanor and Ellie would be a cute way to shorten it.)

This would be a great book for the young superhero-loving kid in your life. I’m thinking it’s about a first to second grade read?

(Also, I wish I had an Ultra Flavor Booster. It makes broccoli taste like chocolate cake.)

Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for a copy in return for an honest review.

[Amyahbennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is that good

[Christine Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a little girl of color and a super hero story! We were especially amused by the very creative baddies. Will definitely read the rest.

[Allison Hite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible book for struggling 2nd and 3rd graders. This graphic novel adds lots of fun pictures to each page without neglecting the actual words in the book. This book also looks like a chapter book without an overwhelming amount of words per page. This book is also excellent for classes of black students. A black female superhero is a step in a wonderful direction.

[Tamara Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, empowering story for any child worried about fitting in with others. Ellie Ultra has been homeschooled by her parents until the second grade and is excited to be finally attending Winkopolis Elementary School with ordinary kids.

Ellie wants to make a good impression on her first day of school and wears her favorite outfit and a cape. Upon arriving at school, Ellie is shocked to find that she is the only kid at school with superpowers. Ellie attempts to make friends but drives her classmates away by using her superpowers to excel in math and sports. After her first day of class, Ellie decides she has to hide her superpowers in order to have her classmates like her.

When Ellie comes home from school, she finds her genius scientists parents working on their latest project, the ultra remote, and Ellie sees the remote as the perfect tool to help her go from extraordinary to ordinary. Although the remote helps her appear ordinary and gets her friends, Ellie begins to not like herself because she has to diminish parts of herself to make others happy.

In the end, a situation occurs which forces Ellie to use her superpowers at school. Ellie uses her superpowers to save her class (and the world) but is ashamed and is certain she has lost the new friend she made in class. Unbeknownst to her, after she save her class then ran away, her teacher and classmates are very appreciative to her and accept regardless of whether or not she has superpowers.

This was a cute book and I like the underlying message that you shouldn’t change who you are to be accepted by others. Ellie shows that it is possible to strike a balance between being a superhero as well as a great classmate and friend.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie Ultra is a super-hero girl with super powers. In third grade, she tries to be herself by showing her powers but she feels shunned. She does not think she will make any friends. When her parents invent the Ultra Remote that lets you control everything, Ellie takes it to school with her so she will be able to control her super powers. It works, she becomes an ordinary girl and the others like her. She makes friends and even gets invited to a friends house. When the school is attacked by super villians, Ellie needs to decide if she will turn her powers back on and save her classmates.

This is a good book to teach about self-confidence and being true to yourself. It is an early chapter book and would be good for late primary, early junior grades. There are some discussion questions and activities at the end of the book to help promote the concepts. The illustrations are colourful and cute. This would be a great addition to school and classroom libraries.

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellie Ultra, Museum Mysteries: The Case of the Missing Museum Archives, and Dear Molly, Dear Olive: Molly Meets Trouble are all 125 pages or less, short chapter books aimed at third to fifth grade readers, all published by divisions of Capstone. Ellie Ultra is the first in a series of short chapter books about a third-grade girl who has super powers, but finds she has to suppress them in order to fit into an ordinary school. In The Case of the Missing Museum Archives, Amal and her friends must try to find the missing plans for a prototype of a failed flying machine before Amal's father is blamed for the loss. Molly Meets Trouble is the story of Molly who just can't seem to get along with someone at school. It really makes Molly miss her friend Olive. All three stories feature diverse characters.

[Chiara SS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 8 and I just finished reading Ellie Ultra. Ellie Ultra is a book about a girl who is a superhero and has always been home schooled. She is excited to start at a regular school but when she is there nobody likes her superpowers. She uses an ultra remote to stop her powers and everyone likes her. When there is a problem, Ellie needs to decide if she should use her powers and be herself or continue hiding who she really is.

I really liked Ellie Ultra. I think it was interesting the way she used the remote to make herself an average kid. I've read a lot of books and never found one like this about a superhero girl. It's a fun book with descriptive writing. I recommend this book to someone who is interested in superheros or stories about friendship.

[Chiara SS · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 8 and I just finished reading Ellie Ultra. Ellie Ultra is a book about a girl who is a superhero and has always been home schooled. She is excited to start at a regular school but when she is there nobody likes her superpowers. She uses an ultra remote to stop her powers and everyone likes her. When there is a problem, Ellie needs to decide if she should use her powers and be herself or continue hiding who she really is.

I really liked Ellie Ultra. I think it was interesting the way she used to remote to make herself an average kid. I've read a lot of books and never found one like this about a superhero girl. It's a fun book with descriptive writing. I recommend this book to someone who is interested in superheros or stories about friendship.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...

What a fun new early chapter book! I am so happy to see that group of books expanding to include so many diverse types of stories, diverse genres, and diverse characters. Ellie Ultra is just one of a few early readers with POC as protagonists that I’ve read recently (Juana & Medina and Bea Garcia are the others). And, especially right now, it is so important to have a diverse selection of characters for readers to relate to! Ellie is also different because it is sci-fi! It is a wonderful intro to the world of superheroes mixed with the widely understood topic of starting new things. This, and its sequels!, are going to be a book that many young readers are going to enjoy!

[Katie Zebrowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley to provide an honest review.
Ellie Ultra is not your ordinary third grade student. She is a super hero with lots of powers. She wants to make friends, but the other kids in her class get upset when she uses her powers wrong, like when she used her x-ray vision to see what was in the classroom mystery box,. She yells out the answer before other students had a chance to guess! This a great book for primary grades, and would be a cute read aloud. I would put this book in the library in my second grade classroom. Illustrations are great, and the book overall has a few themes that young readers would understand.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Ellie Ultra is a superhero! She has spent her first eight years training in supervillain identification, combat skills, flying, and more, but now her parents think it is finally time for Ellie to start regular school. Ellie is thrilled--until she realizes that none of the other kids have superpowers. If Ellie wants to blend in, she is going to have to become a little less super. But is fitting in the best choice for Ellie?

Ellie is a cute, spunky young superhero. I prefer Mia Mayhem's everyday adventures to this series, but, reading level wise, this is a good step up from the Mia Mayhem books. Lots of kid appeal, and I appreciate any diverse young superheroes.

[Jordan Coffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie ultra the book I choose for Graphic Novel. The grade level would be from 1st to 5th. The curriculum I would say is social skills because it's about a little girl who is home schooled and then is put into public school. I don't feel like there is any content concerns for this book. Ellie is starting "normal" school for the very first time, after being homeschooled from her two super smart scientific parents. Can Ellie learn to be "normal" and fit in. It also save the day.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie is an ultra relatable character, even though she is a superhero. She can fly, read minds, has x-ray vision and more! Her superpowers make her extra special, but all she wants is to fit in with her new classmates after being homeschooled. I imagine the rest of this series will take Ellie on journeys that will engage and entertain the reader, while still helping them learn great lessons about life.

[Jenny Mock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is sure to please lower elementary students who love superhero stories and/or stories about fitting in at school. Can't wait to add it to the library collection and see how well it launches. I can seeing it drawing more girls in at first, but I think a good book talk will intrigue the boys as well.

[Linda George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little book for the younger set.

[T.J. Burns]

Review to come shortly. :D

I received a copy of this book from Capstone via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are sweet, the message is sweet, Ellie is a sweet superhero -- it's all very sweet. I'm not the intended audience (being quite advanced in years). I think the intended audience will love this series just as much if not more than the dreaded Rainbow Fairies. Which is to say it is a perfectly delightful book in an age range that needs more diversity, and that thrives on gentle school dramas and repetition in order to support learning to read. I heartily endorse this book, even as I hope I never have to read one again. That's exactly how I feel about the Rainbow Fairies, too.

[Scarlet Ahumada · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Extra-Ordinary Girl (Ellie Ultra) by Gina Bellisario is an inspiring story about this girl with special abilities who struggles to fit in. Ellie's challenges at school and home make her easy to relate to especially for readers who feel different. The author emphasizes self-acceptance and shows how being unique can be a strength. Overall, this book sends a positive message and is enjoyable for middle-grade readers who like superhero stories like me.

[Margaret Boling · Rating 2 out of 5]

9/15/2019 ~ I gave it half the book & half of another in the series. Frenetic pace, rules of science/magic that aren't consistent and don't make sense, and little to no characterization (cardboard cutouts).

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75