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Lightning Girl #1
Lightning Girl
Ten-year-old Aurora Beam feels utterly unremarkable, until the day she sees her little sister being picked on and suddenly, beams of light shoot out of her fingertips!
A brand-new series with all the classic tensions of superhero versus super villain! This high-voltage adventure series has relatable family and friendship dynamics, laughs on every page and fantastically funny art throughout.
A brand-new series with all the classic tensions of superhero versus super villain! This high-voltage adventure series has relatable family and friendship dynamics, laughs on every page and fantastically funny art throughout.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2018
47 people are currently reading
289 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 26, 2018
Lots of fun with some lovely messages about friends, family and separation.
June 25, 2018
That was absolutely adorable!
I can see it done as a Disney Channel Movie 🎥 which I will most definitely watch!
Great job, Alesha.
I can see it done as a Disney Channel Movie 🎥 which I will most definitely watch!
Great job, Alesha.
February 16, 2021
I like this book because it is like a two sided story. We have Aroura getting superpowers, then we have the b-story that is all the emotional stuff with her family. It is very enjoyable and you can really connect with the charactersi recommend this book, especially if you like superheroes and Alesha Dixon.
September 11, 2022
This is an superhero laugh out loud book lighting girl by Alisha Dixon. It explores the story of a 11 year old girl called aurora and she is just a normal school girl. Until one day she finds her little sister Clara being bullied and sparks shoot out of her hands. Then she discovers her mum Kiana has superpowers too and her mum teaches her how to use her superpowers properly. My favourite part was when aurora and her dad are at parents evening and out of nowhere her aunt turns up with her pet ostrich Alfred. Then her mum arrives with a ice block on her head and she doesn't know it is on her head. I found this book very enjoyable to read. It had lots of funny parts in it.
November 30, 2018
Books like this grate me. When will people stop supporting celebrity authors?
January 9, 2019
Amazing! A superhero girl in a regular school, fighting against her science teacher? How odd.
February 23, 2020
A brilliant first in a series book about girl power!
February 22, 2021
It is a very good book and it has lots of pictures. I like the imagination and I’m glad I can read the rest of the series.
October 1, 2022
me ha encantado, de verdad!
La cantidad justa de magia, superpoderes, secretos y amistades!
Ha sido un libro fantástico y genial. Lo recomiendo un montón. :D
La cantidad justa de magia, superpoderes, secretos y amistades!
Ha sido un libro fantástico y genial. Lo recomiendo un montón. :D
April 6, 2021
It is an absolutely amaZing book I love it
October 2, 2018
Keshia Davids kom met 'n groot skok agter dat sy ligstrale by haar vingerpunte kan uitskiet, maar hoe kan sy 'n superheroe wees as sy nie eers wawiele kan maak nie?
Keshia Davids, superheld is 'n oulike vertaalde boek wat oorspronklik uitgegee is as Lightning Girl.
Dit is lekker lig en beslis geskik vir die ouderdomsgroep. Dit pak gematige onderwerpe aan soos die van familie, vriende, keuses en aanvaarding. Dis ook 'n baie oulike eerste boek wat mooitjies die volgende boek opstel.
Ek was net teleurgesteld dat die boek nie sy oorsprong van 'n Suid-Afrikaanse skrywer het nie, want ons kinders kort meer stories soos dié.
Keshia Davids, superheld is 'n oulike vertaalde boek wat oorspronklik uitgegee is as Lightning Girl.
Dit is lekker lig en beslis geskik vir die ouderdomsgroep. Dit pak gematige onderwerpe aan soos die van familie, vriende, keuses en aanvaarding. Dis ook 'n baie oulike eerste boek wat mooitjies die volgende boek opstel.
Ek was net teleurgesteld dat die boek nie sy oorsprong van 'n Suid-Afrikaanse skrywer het nie, want ons kinders kort meer stories soos dié.
April 12, 2018
To start with it felt a bit confusing because some of the characters’ names were similar so we had to keep going back to check if Kimmy was the dog or the best friend Kizzy but once that became concrete in our minds the book became interesting and exciting. It is an easy read for an 8 year old who was thoroughly gripped by the plot and couldn’t put it down. Meeting the author at a booking signing event and discussing the characters with her was an added bonus. Can’t wait for the next lightning girl book.
November 26, 2023
This story is so cool because it has many parts like we have lightning girl, her family, friends and her dog. After I watched the movie called 'Minnal Murali', I was bursting to see what lightning girl has for us!
If I were a super hero, I would be very stressed if my mum told me that I am a super hero 😀 . But eventually I will figure it out just like Aurora.
If I were a super hero, I would be very stressed if my mum told me that I am a super hero 😀 . But eventually I will figure it out just like Aurora.
December 25, 2019
Lightning Girl tells the story of Aurora Beam, she’s the middle child with one older brother and one younger sister, as well as a dog called Kimmy. Her father is a professor who works at the Natural History Museum, and her mother works in an office. She’s just your average school girl, until she’s not. One day Aurora discovers that she has superpowers and her mother doesn’t work in an office, she actually fights crimes using superpower she also has!
At about halfway through this book I was dreading have to write this review. To give a little context to that statement let me explain having read the premise of this book it sounded like a book eight year old Sarah would have loved to get her hands on… Not only is the lead character mixed race, with big hair, someone who looks like I did, she has superpowers! Who didn’t want to have amazing superpowers as a child! As a result I was excited to pick this one up and read it, but for the first half something just didn’t click with me, it was too easy to put down. It was disappointing to me. For the reasons I’ve mentioned just now, I wanted to absolutely adore this from beginning to end and for the first half I just didn’t.
Now I will be the first to admit that this book is not written for current Sarah, it’s written for primary school Sarah, who I left behind somewhat longer ago that I care to admit, however other middle grade books recently have captured my attention and refused to let up, I’m thinking of books like Rumblestar and Cogheart. Lightning Girl just didn’t capture me in the same way for the first half of the book and I’m not sure why. The action certainly picked in up the final third of the book and once I reached that point I did find it much harder to put down. I understand the need to introduce characters and idea, especially in a book like this, the first in a series where the characters are unknown but it felt a little unbalanced for me, too much time on the introductions and not enough on the action and adventure.
On the other hand I did find the characters delightful. Aurora is a lovely girl struggling to come to terms with her new abilities. Aurora’s parents and siblings were also a joy to read. I have to admit a special fondness for Aurora’s Aunt Lucinda, her mother’s twin who has a tendency to use her powers for less noble reasons, and her pet ostrich Alfred. Alfred is one well accessorised ostrich! A final mention to the Bright Sparks, I certainly felt the book improved once that little gang was involved!
Finally I should give a special mention to James Lancett and Steve Simpson whose wonderful illustrations fill the pages, they truly are delightful!
Final Thoughts
I wanted to absolutely adore this book, and while I didn’t the ending picked up enough for me to want to pick up the second book in the series and see how that plays out. There’s less in this one for any parents that may be reading aloud to their little ones than some other middle grade books, but I think those towards the lower end of the middle grade age range will enjoy this one.
At about halfway through this book I was dreading have to write this review. To give a little context to that statement let me explain having read the premise of this book it sounded like a book eight year old Sarah would have loved to get her hands on… Not only is the lead character mixed race, with big hair, someone who looks like I did, she has superpowers! Who didn’t want to have amazing superpowers as a child! As a result I was excited to pick this one up and read it, but for the first half something just didn’t click with me, it was too easy to put down. It was disappointing to me. For the reasons I’ve mentioned just now, I wanted to absolutely adore this from beginning to end and for the first half I just didn’t.
Now I will be the first to admit that this book is not written for current Sarah, it’s written for primary school Sarah, who I left behind somewhat longer ago that I care to admit, however other middle grade books recently have captured my attention and refused to let up, I’m thinking of books like Rumblestar and Cogheart. Lightning Girl just didn’t capture me in the same way for the first half of the book and I’m not sure why. The action certainly picked in up the final third of the book and once I reached that point I did find it much harder to put down. I understand the need to introduce characters and idea, especially in a book like this, the first in a series where the characters are unknown but it felt a little unbalanced for me, too much time on the introductions and not enough on the action and adventure.
On the other hand I did find the characters delightful. Aurora is a lovely girl struggling to come to terms with her new abilities. Aurora’s parents and siblings were also a joy to read. I have to admit a special fondness for Aurora’s Aunt Lucinda, her mother’s twin who has a tendency to use her powers for less noble reasons, and her pet ostrich Alfred. Alfred is one well accessorised ostrich! A final mention to the Bright Sparks, I certainly felt the book improved once that little gang was involved!
Finally I should give a special mention to James Lancett and Steve Simpson whose wonderful illustrations fill the pages, they truly are delightful!
Final Thoughts
I wanted to absolutely adore this book, and while I didn’t the ending picked up enough for me to want to pick up the second book in the series and see how that plays out. There’s less in this one for any parents that may be reading aloud to their little ones than some other middle grade books, but I think those towards the lower end of the middle grade age range will enjoy this one.
April 3, 2023
Before I give my review I should say that my daughter (5) loved this book. The following review is from the perspective of a dad who has to read along. I know this books wasn’t written for me, but I still have to read it.
.
.
.
This book is utter tripe. I didn’t write this review until I’d read some of the later volumes. I thought maybe Dixon would get into her stride as a writer. The other books are tripe too. Don’t start the series if you can avoid it, there are loads of them.
Firstly, they are very badly written. The writing is bad. It makes you realise how little time and budget there is for editing in children’s literature. Get used to entire paragraphs that are just one long run-on sentence with twelves clauses. Every time someone speaks you will be told, in mid-phrase, something else that is happening at the same time (“I’ve been thinking” he said, as he fought the urge to claw at his eyeballs “that this is fine once in a while, but it does get tiresome”). Good children’s writers know how to write to engage children; Dixon at one point shoehorns in a reference to (and I quote) “Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited”.
The story itself is unoriginal but also makes very little sense if you think about it beyond a surface level. The central premise is a girl with superpowers which let her shoot light beams from her hands. A one point she knocks over a birdhouse, but mostly it seems that she just kind of has torch hands. She ‘blasts’ people with light beams and “they stumble back, shielding their eyes”. Having your heroine be a mobile disco leads to the main bad guy being “the blackout burglar”, who switches all the lights off in rooms so he can steal things. If your master plan can be foiled by someone having a torch then you should probably get a better plan, but the book contrives situations where Lightning Girl is the only available torch so she can save the day. There’s a subplot about her parents splitting up but, don’t worry, they get back together by the end of the first book.
Each book is annoying in its own way. Try not to start down the road if you can avoid it.
I gave an extra star because the ostrich is funny (and about the only original element in the book)
.
.
.
This book is utter tripe. I didn’t write this review until I’d read some of the later volumes. I thought maybe Dixon would get into her stride as a writer. The other books are tripe too. Don’t start the series if you can avoid it, there are loads of them.
Firstly, they are very badly written. The writing is bad. It makes you realise how little time and budget there is for editing in children’s literature. Get used to entire paragraphs that are just one long run-on sentence with twelves clauses. Every time someone speaks you will be told, in mid-phrase, something else that is happening at the same time (“I’ve been thinking” he said, as he fought the urge to claw at his eyeballs “that this is fine once in a while, but it does get tiresome”). Good children’s writers know how to write to engage children; Dixon at one point shoehorns in a reference to (and I quote) “Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited”.
The story itself is unoriginal but also makes very little sense if you think about it beyond a surface level. The central premise is a girl with superpowers which let her shoot light beams from her hands. A one point she knocks over a birdhouse, but mostly it seems that she just kind of has torch hands. She ‘blasts’ people with light beams and “they stumble back, shielding their eyes”. Having your heroine be a mobile disco leads to the main bad guy being “the blackout burglar”, who switches all the lights off in rooms so he can steal things. If your master plan can be foiled by someone having a torch then you should probably get a better plan, but the book contrives situations where Lightning Girl is the only available torch so she can save the day. There’s a subplot about her parents splitting up but, don’t worry, they get back together by the end of the first book.
Each book is annoying in its own way. Try not to start down the road if you can avoid it.
I gave an extra star because the ostrich is funny (and about the only original element in the book)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2019
Aurora at school one day notices she sparks lightning from her hand and has to cover it up with an excuse and begins to act odly her friend Kizzy notices
Shocked and thrown, her parents later tell her she's partly named after the Northern Lights which helped set off their families superpowers in the girlsyet her sister Clara and brother Alexis hae no powers same as her museum worker dad. Her mum however does like her.
Only when her aunt and her pet ostrich arrive, her parents announce they're splitting and suddenly the powers are hard to control and train luckily Kimmy her German shepherd is always on hand for some comfort.
Especially when their science teacher acts shifty and then Aurora accidentally reveals her powers to some students, including the school bullies, things get crazy...
Obviously this book mentioned Britain's Got Talent in it as it's natural to Alesha! I enjoyed the aspect of a female superhero who's an every day girl appear from her powers anyway! The crazy parts of the book with beautiful diamonds and pet ostriches added to the wackiness that made this book an unforgettable read and will keep kids reading on for sure.
Shocked and thrown, her parents later tell her she's partly named after the Northern Lights which helped set off their families superpowers in the girlsyet her sister Clara and brother Alexis hae no powers same as her museum worker dad. Her mum however does like her.
Only when her aunt and her pet ostrich arrive, her parents announce they're splitting and suddenly the powers are hard to control and train luckily Kimmy her German shepherd is always on hand for some comfort.
Especially when their science teacher acts shifty and then Aurora accidentally reveals her powers to some students, including the school bullies, things get crazy...
Obviously this book mentioned Britain's Got Talent in it as it's natural to Alesha! I enjoyed the aspect of a female superhero who's an every day girl appear from her powers anyway! The crazy parts of the book with beautiful diamonds and pet ostriches added to the wackiness that made this book an unforgettable read and will keep kids reading on for sure.
October 13, 2025
I picked these books at my local bookstore. They looked cute and funny. Didn't think I'd actually love this book as much as I did. It was a nice brain break, but I enjoyed the overall story. Aurora is such a fun character to read about. Her finding out about her powers, her mom, and all the other things an 11 year old stresses over made her endearing. She dealt with so much in a short period of time yet handled it better than I would have as an adult. I love Kizzy and the rest of the group. How they all got together and became friends was so funny. Unexpected friends and so different too. I loved this book! Not only was it full of laughs and fun but it was exciting and easy to read
June 9, 2019
I am a huge fan of Alesha Dixon. Only not shes just talented she is smart too. Kind generous I watched every video you have been in no lie. Absolutley amazing book im looking forward to reading the next one. Love you huge fan
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2019
Bought this for my daughter but I was intrigued to give it a go myself. I liked the concept of it but it was really all about Aurora Beam discovering she had superpowers and nothing really happened until the end but I have a feeling that subsequent books could be more promising.
January 12, 2020
For 8 years and up. Such a fun, unique story! The characters were well thought out, the plot was exciting, and it gave me warm fuzzies at the end. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series!
October 25, 2020
Now that I'm reading YA fiction again along with my 3rd grader, I'm really enjoying how many strong female characters have developed since I was a kid, and this was no exception! Aurora is relatable, fun, and I'm happy that these are the girls my daughters are reading about!
June 3, 2018
Review to follow
April 28, 2019
I think this book is absolutely Amazing! A very good story plot along with wonderful description and entertaining characters. 10/10
August 14, 2019
The best book I've read!
May 12, 2020
excelent book loved it recomend it to people who like action,mystery and a bit of comedy.
June 10, 2020
Read with my 8 year old who has adored it. Great main character, lots of humour and an empowering message.
August 4, 2020
This book is really good. I was like when u start reading u can't read. Really good book
October 8, 2020
Hilarious MG adventure with a great protagonist and supporting cast.
January 9, 2021
It is a very highly recommended book for children!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews