Jude Banks, Superhero

by Ann Hood

New York Times best-selling author Ann Hood pens a poignant story of grief and resilience, perfect for readers of The Thing About Jellyfish .

"A testament to the power of human connection.” —Jack Cheng, award-winning author of See You in the Cosmos


Katie was Jude's favorite person in the world. And not many brothers say that about their sister and mean it. But to Jude, Katie was everything--the person who made him learn how to say "I love you" in every language, who performed dramatic readings of Romeo and Juliet , who obsessed over every item on the diner menu looking for the most authentic diner meal. The one who called him "Jude Banks, Superhero," because to her, Jude was the best.

She was also the person who died. Out of nowhere, and without a goodbye. And Jude believes he was the one who killed her.

Now, twelve-year-old Jude must figure out what life looks like without his favorite person. With Mom checked out, and Dad just trying to do his best, Jude enters a world of grief youth groups and dropped-off lasagnas. It's only when he meets a girl named Clementine, who also lost a sibling, that he begins to imagine a world where maybe things might be okay. But Clementine is also feeling a terrible guilt, and even though Katie called Jude a "superhero," he isn't sure he can save her.

In her signature prose, Hood crafts an extraordinary story of grief and resilience, asking the important How does a family begin to heal?

Praise for Jude Banks, Superhero :
"Hood is brilliant at showing the ordinary moments of a family’s heartbreak… There are many readers who are navigating guilt and sorrow right now — for them, this book is a must. And for those lucky enough to take the journey only in their imaginations, this is a story of resilience in the face of devastating pain.”— New York Times Book Review

"A tender story of grief and joy... a remarkable read."— School Library Connection (Starred Review)

"Hood’s careful gardening of emotions makes this a striking read... Fans of Ali Benjamin's The Thing about Jellyfish will appreciate Jude’s search for meaning and reason as he learns to live around the hole his sister has left."— Booklist (Starred Review)

“Ann Hood tells Jude’s story of grief without coating it in too much sugar; it’s real, and therein lies its power. Jude Banks is a mirror for anyone who’s experienced loss, and a testament to the power of human connection.”—Jack Cheng, award-winning author of See You in the Cosmos

"Jude Banks is warm and inviting, even as it balances the difficult topics of loss and healing—a powerful and compelling story for anyone who has known loss."—Rex Ogle, award winning author of Free Lunch

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Mental Health, Contemporary, Family, Grief, Realistic Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published May 18, 2021

About the author

Ann Hood is the editor of Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting and the bestselling author of The Book That Matters Most, The Knitting Circle, The Red Thread, Comfort, and An Italian Wife, among other works. She is the recipient of two Pushcart Prizes, a Best American Spiritual Writing Award, a Best American Food Writing Award, a Best American Travel Writing Award, and the Paul Bowles Prize for Short Fiction. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.

Reviews

[cay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was sweet. Emotional but not quite tear-jerking.

I've found that I've read a lot of books about loss recently. This theme has almost been becoming a little too common, and when I opened this book, I thought it might just be another book about loss (where the resolution is that the character is over it and everything is okay!) But I was pleasantly surprised.

Jude Banks lost his sister, Katie. Not only was Katie his sister, but she was also his best friend. At the ripe age of 12, he was going through something that most adults don't even know how to get through. This fact was proven by his mother; Sometimes she had really good days and sometimes she had really, really bad days. His parents forced him into support groups, and he was forced to see a psychiatrist, but nothing was helping Jude. Katie was still dead.

I don't usually include summaries in my reviews because anybody can read the back of a cover, or read the description on here. But something about this book that was so important to me is how it shows that even with all the resources, grieving still takes time. Grief is messy, grief is rude, and grief is the opposite of everything you want or need it to be. Jude was put in a support group and Jude was given a therapist, and even after all that, he still wasn't immediately better. None of these things seemed to help the fact that someone he loved was dead. And that is a real, scary feeling. Once upon a time, I was there too, and I thought nobody ever felt that way. If I had read this book during that time, it would've helped tremendously with that sinking feeling.

So, yes, part of the reason why I loved this book so much was the fact that it connected with me. But there are so many good things to say about this book that I don't think I could put it into one review. The writing style was beautiful, the humor, the characters, all of it was amazing. I enjoyed reading this book; more than I think I knew right after finishing it.

I'd recommend this to kids going through loss. No matter their age. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to cry or loves a good heartbreak, but most of all I recommend it to anybody who has a good sister. Because Jude knows what that's like too.

10/10

[Jill Ramig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jude's sister Katie dies in her sleep. Jude is trying to deal with his grief and an incredible feeling of guilt that he may be responsible for her death. Kids who've gone through this trauma will relate to Jude and his feelings. And kids who have not may use this book to understand. Tricky subject, beautifully written.

[Mika Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice book I was actually motivated to finish it because it had a lot of suspense and stuff. I do wish the talk and ending with clementine was a bit different because like even though Jude no longer had to carry any guilt clementine probably does or if she doesn’t we never got closure on it. I can see why people get really emotional over this like learning that a child can die from just a loud noise is really sad and it’s really easy to imagine how robbed the whole family feels, especially with how much Jude loved Katie, not to mention the whole premise of what Jude thought he did is extremely terrifying and it’s heartbreaking that something this has happen many times in real life. Finally, learning about the authors own personal experiences really shows how true and real the story is. I hope her and her family were able to heal and that her five year old is in a better place

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for this emotional book about grieving the sudden death of a sibling

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This middle grade novel about loss, grief, and guilt is a 3.5 for me. It is hard to imagine anyone who won't be touched by it, whether they've experienced something similar or not. Twelve-year-old Jude Banks is sure that he's to blame for his gifted younger sister Katie's unexpected death. The author withholds the reasons for his feelings of guilt until near the end of the book, building suspense, but also allowing readers to follow Jude's long journey through the grief process. Katie's death left a huge hole in the fabric of her family, and the narrator (Jude) describes the different ways each member copes. At some points there is progress in returning to a more normal existence, but at others, it's clear that this isn't a straightforward path to acceptance or happiness. Jude's mother can barely bring herself to eat or function, eventually throwing herself into various projects. The family also attends a support group for survivors known as City of Angels, and Jude spends time with a therapist. At first Jude is leery of all of this, but he connects with Clementine, an older girl whose sister died as the result of her peanut allergy. The two of them find comfort in their friendship, but it becomes clear to Jude that Clementine's guilt about her sister Halley's death leaves her at risk for self-harm. One of the most striking parts of this story is how Jude finds himself ever-vigilant to the risk of other youngsters who might be endangered by swimming in a pool, swinging on a playground. He sees himself as a superhero, ready to rescue them, and there are several chapters depicting these moments. There are also chapters interspersed through the story that describe what happens during his sessions with Dr. Botticelli and ruminations about the platitudes that well-meaning individuals express to those who are bereaved. Ultimately, Jude's story ends on a hopeful note, but readers will also be left with some uncertainty about mortality and the preciousness of life. Reading this book may promote healing and understanding on the part of many readers, but it will also tug at their heartstrings and bring back many of the emotions that may have repressed during their own journey through grief and loss.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jude Banks is going through grieving with his family, having lost his sister, Katie, to a cardiac arrest eight months prior. Katie was more than just his younger sister, she was his friend, they understood each other that no one else could understand. And with her gone, he feels his life is nothing. There's no one to play with, no one to challenge him, the other kids are avoiding him, and his parents are going through their own grieving to deal with him. Worse still, Jude keeps believing he killed Katie. He is also going to a therapist and grief counseling, his parents believing it will help him go through his own trauma, even though he refuse to open up to either. But it is clear, Jude is going through the motions: he has become moody, distracting himself to avoid socializing and getting caught up in his fantasy of being a superhero. He befriends a girl who also believes she killed her sibling, becoming more open to each other.

Throughout this story, Ann Hood shows the realistic process of how grieving goes. It is not easy for Jude to accept the fact that his life without Katie is very much different. He doesn't think he needs help, even when it shows that his parents are also learning how to deal with the trauma. And moving through the motions with Jude, is an emotional rollercoaster: there's times when he evokes sympathy, others when it's anger and disappointment that he doesn't realize he was not responsible for Katie's passing, nor when he refuses to open his mind to his therapist. It takes a long time and a lot of other experiences for Jude to finally realize that in order for him to move on, he needs to accept his loss and to continue living in the present rather than constantly looking back. Thus, making it a well-written story from a child's POV on how to to deal with losses and grief in a way that is relatable.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adore this book. Bring tissues.
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Ann Hood has written a beautiful, raw book about grief and loss. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t look away. Not everyone likes sad books, but I do and so do many of my students. Anyone else like reading tearjerkers?
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Jude is lost without his best friend and sister, Katie. She died and now his whole family feels like it’s falling apart. Even worse, Jude blames himself for her death. This book examines his grief process over the course of a year with great sensitivity.
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The author’s note explains her own experience losing her daughter at age five. 💔
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TW: childhood death, suicidal ideation
I recommend this book for grades 5+.
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[Heather Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is really hard to authentically write about grief in a middle grade book. So often the subject is suger coated and leaves the reader wanting. Hood does not do this. Nothing is neat or tidy. The characters are impacted by their grief and at times are at all loss as to what to do. Jude is positive that he is responsible for his sister's death in her sleep. Eventually Jude meets a girl who has also lost her sibling and the two try to help each other. However, it is not neat, it is messy and true to the grief process. The author's own experiences are evident in the story and this makes it even more authentic and real.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for an early copy in return for an honest review.

An emotional look at how families heal after absolutely horrific tragedies. Jude Banks sister dies unexpectedly and he's certain he killed her. With a look back at their relationship before Katie died and insight into their present day grief the author does a good job going back and forth between the past and present.

Due to the themes and content of the book I would recommend this book more for upper middle grade readers.

[Emily Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

.Jude Banks recently lost his sister Katie, who died in her sleep. They were very close and Jude is learning how to deal with his grief along with his parents. Through therapy, support groups & service projects, Jude wonders if his life will ever be the same. Jude makes new friends along the way and learns that what he is feeling is real and normal for his situation. If you are looking for a happy, uplifting story this is not necessarily it. But, this is one of the best books about grief that I have read. It will be a wonderful book for middle grade readers that need a book to help deal with the death of a loved one.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Gabriella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you imagine yourself standing in front of a judge, admitting to murder? Well, that is exactly what this young boy Jude did. Jude is 12 and his sister katie is less than a year younger. Before her death, the siblings were inseparable afterward, Jude, his mother and father are awash with grief. After a extencive amount of tharapy and a sibling loss group Jude is blaming himself for Katie’s death. At his sibling loss troupe he makes friends like this one girl named Clementine who also blames herself for the loss of her sister. Jude couldn’t deal with the grief and guilt of Katie’s death anymore so he turned himself in for murder. What would you do in a situation like Jude’s?

[Cheryl Mizerny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this arc from @penguinkids. Thank you! As expected from reading the back cover, this book is very sad. However, every year, I have students who request sad books. It seems to help them process other things going on in their lives even if they can’t directly relate to the characters. And this book would be perfect for children who have lost a loved one and are dealing with grief. I would recommend for upper middle grade children.

[Kendra Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute emotional powerhouse that will leave you reaching for the tissues. The writing is raw, poignant, and beautifully crafted, tugging at your heartstrings w/ every turn of the page. Jude’s journey is one that will stay w/ you long after you finish reading, and the themes of love, loss, and resilience are masterfully woven throughout the story. Jude Banks, Superhero is a truly unforgettable book that deserves a spot on everyone’s must-read list.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most intense, raw middle grade books about grief that I’ve ever read - and I cried numerous times while reading. But also… my heart felt heard and seen and not alone.

Kids who’ve experienced the loss of a sibling may truly be changed by this story of loss, mourning, fear, but - above all - hope.

[Elizabeth Swift · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing! You felt for each character and kept hoping it would turn out as okay as dealing with death can turn out. The quote on the cover really described the book for me. "A mirror for anyone who's experienced loss, and a testament to the power of human connection." - Jack Cheng
You j just need to be human to empathize with all the emotion.

[KATHRYNE STEVENS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. I loved the description of grief and Judes emotions following his sisters death. I love the use of therapy. The timeline confused me at times, but only briefly. I loved the split of chapters between the plot, things about Katie, and Jude being a superhero. I loved how each one acted as a window into Jude. A great mirror for anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one.

[Luna Hourani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book was an amazing book that is a little sad. Although this book mimics what would happen if someone in your family died. Although this book is a suburb book, it is also a really depressing book and some points in this story are really sad. There are also some really random things that just pop out of nowhere. Overall, this is a good book that is kind of sad.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

ude Banks best friend is his sister, Katie. When Katie suddenly dies in her sleep, Jude is convinced that he killed her. Hood describes the feelings of grief so eloquently and realistically and her writing, to me, is so comforting. This book gave me "all the feels". Highly recommend.

[LS Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good message in this book. I think it will appeal to an older reader because it is long, the parts where Jude lives in his grief is the majority of the story and it is very much a character study vs. being plot driven. But the messages are absolutely important.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC of this beautiful story.

A story of loss, Jude Banks is trying to figure out how to move on without the sister who was his true other half. His grief, and that of those around him was raw and real, and the book was an engaging and emotional read.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book to my niece to read as she teaches 7th grade language arts. She was deeply touched by the content of the book and highly recommended it for her students to read. The book is in her classroom library.

[Jami Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book. It had a lot of very emotional subjects that are hard for anyone to handle, but especially the child characters. I would recommend this book to anyone dealing with loss or trying to ork through grief.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. So much. It was very powerful and I feel for Jude. I have never lost a major family member, and this makes me wonder how much my life would have changed if I had lost my brother at such a young age.

For people looking for a sad book or character to relate too.

Ages 12+

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good editor would have trimmed 50 pages. I like the book and will resonate with people like me who lost a sibling as a teen, or anyone who has lost a loved one.
The cover looks like an eight year old instead of a 6th grader.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story about a young boy grappling with the death of his even younger sister. Love the way that their relationship is described...they fight and bicker but are best friends. So sad in very many ways. And this is a real situation for many families. A YA book but a very grown-up subject. Well done.

[Bexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book, but it was so hard to read as a parent. I basically sobbed through this whole book. The amount of guilt and grief and anxiety throughout this book was just so hard to read. It's definitely a worthwhile book to read, as long as you can see through your tears.

[Zazie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was not boring, or even bad, I did not enjoy it as much as other readers seem to have enjoyed it. I felt that this one has too much about the dead sister and not enough about Jude. Had it not been for that, this would have gotten a higher rating than I gave it today.

[Katie Sleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was really good. Very well written. It is just terribly sad! The boy's sister died and he blames himself. The whole book deals with grief and other sad subjects. I liked the book, but I don't think I'd recommend for anyone dealing with fresh grief.

[Karen Trier · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO sad!

[Karen Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad because of the topic, but it is handled well. Unfortunately, there is no Real comfort, because they have no faith.