Memory Superpowers!: An Adventurous Guide to Remembering What You Don't Want to Forget

by Nelson Dellis, Steph Stilwell (Illustrator)

A kid’s guide to amazing feats of memorization with “a variety of engaging memory exercises [and] methods for all different types of learners.” —Kirkus ReviewsNelson Dellis, the four-time USA Memory Champion, reveals the secrets to his phenomenal ability to remember almost anything. From presidents to state capitals, from mathematical theorems to the periodic table, kids have so much to remember for school!This incredibly helpful book is structured as an entertaining and fantastical narrative in which the author guides the reader as they attempt to climb Mount Foreverest. Up there, the goal is to defeat the Memory Thief, a villain plotting to steal everyone’s memories. On the journey, while encountering pirates, forest dwarves, and mummies, you’ll also find tools and tricks to remember the US presidents in order, foreign word meanings, countries and capitals, the periodic table, long numbers, and multiplication tables. These easily understandable exercises can help build skills to remember any kinds of words, lists, numbers, or concepts. Whether you’re trying to become a better student or just want to amaze friends and family, Memory Superpowers! is one unforgettable book.“[Steph] Stilwell’s bright illustrations accompany this book that’s full of useful tips that will help students enjoy learning to study better.” ?Booklist

Genres: Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2022

About the author

Nelson Charles Dellis is an American memory athlete, Grandmaster of Memory, mountaineer, published author, public speaker, and consultant. He is a four-time USA Memory Champion, tying the record for most wins of the national memory champion title. He is also one of the co-founders of Memory League

Reviews

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am new to the Memory Techniques presented in this book. I was gift this book by my Partner who is a memory enthusiast.
This was such a fun read, yes it is presented in a way for children, however it can be super fun for adults too.
I enjoyed it and had fun testing my memory. This book has opened a whole other world and I am excited to jump right in.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memory Tricks Presented in a Fun Way

This is a fun book to help children improve their memories. I imagine it's best suited for 9- to 12-year-olds. The author—a four-time memory champion—frames this information as a story. The child is trying to get to the top of Mt. Foreverist and avoid the Memory Thief. Along the way, in order to do this, they learn different memory hacks for things like learning names, remembering spelling and meanings of words, learning things in order like the periodic table, remembering numbers, and even recalling longer things like poems or speeches. As you can tell, much of this has to do with the type of memory needed to excel in academic topics. The author did this cleverly, I believe. If you have a middle school child, I highly suggest this book to help them improve their memories using techniques that will serve them throughout the rest of their academic career as well as in their adult life.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Anirudh Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think Mind Palace is a Sherlock thing, you better read this book, mate! Should be one's primer to some profound methods on mastering memory. The author is himself a four time Us memory championship winner, and his way of teaching is as enigmatic as his memory. An impossible seeming task like remembering hundreds of digits of Pi now seems achievable. Definitely one of the favourites of my readings of 2022. Totally recommended to anyone looking for enhancing memory in general, the book seemed like a whole new perspective on memorizing stuff. Loved it!

[Edward B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish that I had been taught these techniques as a child.
I think that almost anyone could benefit from learning this for the rest of their lives, especially school-age children.

Some of the examples are very U.S.-centric, but that's understandable. Certainly generations of American children being forced to learn the list of past Presidents and that of the States and their Capitals will benefit immediately.

[watermelonreads · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book achieved everything it set out too but I think it’s just a me thing? As an adult reader, I skimmed through a huge portion of the book cos it was too descriptive for my liking.

BUT it will work well for the age group intended! The descriptive way it’s written will be helpful with picturing how the adventure goes and the in-depth explanation will make it easy for ANYONE to understand.

Two stars for a Steph Stilwell, I bought this cos of her illustrations 🫶 SLAYED QUEEN

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through Net Galley. What a wonderful book! It gives great ideas for kids (and adults) to use to help them memorize. I even tried a few with great success. I love that it is written in such a humorous way with explanations that the kids can understand and are willing to try.

[Rubén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Está orientado más a un público juvenil por lo que hay partes que son un poco prescindibles para según qué edades. Pero los "trucos" que da el autor para memorizar cosas son muy buenos. Si alguien me los hubiera enseñado en mi época de estudiante mi vida habría sido mucho más sencilla.

[Andréa]

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

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun!

[Aneta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had that book at the "recommended" age. It is a great introduction to memory techniques.

[Olasubomi Oyediran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been able to memorize stuffs better after reading this book. Thank you

[JW · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tad simplistic, but a decent summation of proven memory tricks.