Dan Unmasked

by Chris Negron

This heartfelt middle grade debut about grief, creativity, and the healing power of friendship shows that n ot all heroes wear capes and   is perfect for fans of John David Anderson and Ali Benjamin. Whether they’re on the baseball field or in Nate’s basement devouring the newest issue of their favorite comic book, Dan and Nate are always talking. Until they’re not. After an accident at baseball practice, Nate’s fallen into a coma. And if Dan ever wants to talk to Nate again, he’s got to take a page out of his hero Captain Nexus’s book, and do whatever it takes to save the day. But heroes have powers—and without Nate, all Dan has is a closet stuffed with comics and a best-friend-shaped hole in his heart. There’s no way a regular kid can save the day all on his own. Right?

Genres: Sports, Middle Grade, Friendship, Comic Book, Baseball, Childrens, Family

384 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2020

About the author

Chris Negron grew up outside Buffalo, New York, where he spent a huge chunk of his childhood collecting comic books and loving sports. But it was the hours of playing Dungeons and Dragons in friends' basements that first gave him the dream of one day writing his own stories. That dream kept him company through college at Yale University and years of programming computers for big companies. DAN UNMASKED is his debut novel, and he now lives outside Atlanta with his wife, Mary. Visit him at www.chrisnegron.com.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really surprised me in the best possible way. I was interested in reading it based on the description, but I didn't expect to love it as much as I did.

Dan and Nate are best friends. They share a love of baseball and comics and they even have a form of telepathy where they can know what the other is thinking. But then after a baseball accident, Nate falls into a coma and the book then follows Dan as he tries to find a way to help Nate wake up.

This is a beautiful story depicting the power and strength of family and friends, as well as all of the ups and downs of life. It's emotional and heartfelt, and I definitely cried at parts.

I did struggle a little with Dan in the beginning, but I think it's because I saw some of myself in him (not necessarily me now but me when I was closer to his age) and it wasn't necessarily the good parts or parts that I'm proud of. That being said, his growth throughout the book, is so good, and I loved seeing how he grew from everything that happened. He learned so much, and I thought it was so well done.

I definitely recommend this book, and I think it's a really good example of how books can be enjoyed at any age.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins for providing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[J.M. Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Superpowers, real-life & pizza!

The plot keeps the reader on his toes & keeps him guessing. From an adult's perspective, the book handles big issues such as guilt, grief, & other big challenges that life brings.

Also the main character, Dan, has multiple hobbies including comic books & baseball (what kid doesn't). But the author does such a good job of exploring each of Dan's hobbies rather than leaving them as a sidebar item. It will keep your young reader interested - a page-turner for all ages, and teach her all sorts of life lessons.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Animated bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7d9tlMAJ...

Sometimes friends finish each other’s sentences, but thirteen-year-old best friends, Dan and Nate, sometimes need no words at all. They’re so in sync on and off the baseball field that a certain look or gesture speak volumes, but when Nate falls into a coma, Dan would do anything to hear his voice again. Chris Negron’s moving debut, DAN UNMASKED (7/28/20), is an exploration of guilt, grief, anxiety, determination, and hope through a devastating accident. Paired with the baseball theme, this riveting story also uses comics to drive the plot and spotlight the incredible bond between friends. As Dan narrates in his candid, relatable voice, you’ll feel for him and Nate’s little brother, Ollie, as they cope with missing their superhero—Nate is the friend everyone wishes they had. While I teared up a few times (alright, and maybe sobbed once), @negron.ca’s book isn’t weighed down with sadness. In fact, there is plenty of exciting action, some mystery, and a bit of comic relief among all of the endearing characters. While it is an unique and imaginative way of dealing with sorrow, it all felt very real and touched my heart immensely. Impossible to forget, DAN UNMASKED should fly high on your radar because it has something for everyone to bring out the superhero in all of us.

[Emily Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional, heartfelt and utterly original story of friendship and the possibility we all feel as kids and adults when it comes to just how powerful we can be. The baseball scenes shine and the depiction of the sometime confusion and hopefulness of childhood is spot-on. I adored this book. A classic.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Sumner, 13, and Nate Templeton, 12, have been best friends since elementary school and their two favorite things in the world are playing baseball for the Mira Giants and comic books, but not just any comic books. They are devoted readers of Captain Nexus. In fact, each month, on the day the newest issue hits the stands, Dan, Nate, and the rest of their team gather in the Templeton basement along with Nate's younger brother Ollie and Ollie's new friend Courtney, the only girl.

But one afternoon, when Nate takes a fly ball to the head during a game, he suffers a traumatic brain injury, and ends up being put into a medically induced coma. Dan and Ollie are suddenly at odds ends with themselves and each other, sharing a sense of helplessness that at times feels overwhelming. Dan blames himself for what happened to Nate. They had been talking about how Captain Nexus might escape the Nexus Zone where he was stuck with his arch enemy the Hollow and get back to his family in New Mexico when the ball hit Nate.

Then Dan discovers that Ollie and Courtney are working on a fan-fiction Captain Nexus comic to surprise Nate for his upcoming birthday, hoping he'll be awake by then. Dan has been invited to join them because of his excellent printing skills. Ollie isn't athletic like his brother but he is already an accomplished artist, and Courtney is the talent behind the storyline. Dan begins to really get into the comic's creation, impressed by Ollie's art. Soon, though, Dan convinces himself that if Captain Nexus can escape the Nexus Zone, it would show him the way to help Nate come back from his coma. It may be magical thinking, but it's all he has and Dan is desperate for answers. When he hears about a fan art contest sponsored by Tall Ship Comics, publisher of Captain Nexus, Dan talks Courtney into submitting Ollie's work, sure it will lead them to a meeting with comic's creator George Sanderson and the answer to Captain Nexus's escape.

As if Captain Nexus magical thinking weren't enough, Dan is convinced that if the Mira Giants win the championship that will also help bring Nate back. And he actually manages to convince the team that winning is the thing to do.

No one is more surprised that Ollie when he wins the fan art contest and George Sanderson, who was blown away by Ollie's art, delivers the news in person. But as they get to know him and he gets to know them, some very painful secrets and truths are revealed. In addition, old relationships are renewed and new ones begin. But will any of this help Nate?

The combination of baseball and comic books in Dan Unmasked is sure to please young readers. And Dan, Ollie, Courtney, and even George Sanderson are very individualized and fleshed out characters, but I found the other characters are somewhat nebulous, including Nate, the reason everyone is pulling together, though we do learn more about him as the story goes on. I have to admit it did take me a while to warm up to Dan. In the beginning, I found him to be obnoxious and selfish, so it was nice to see him change over the course of the novel. I did think it was interesting that Sanderson only planned on publishing 16 Captain Nexus issues and stuck to that. Usually, a comic needs a little more that one and a half years to catch on. And I did like the way he incorporated his own life story in his comic, producing an exciting work, but without much cathartic benefit for him.

I'm not a baseball fan, and there was a lot of baseball talk in Dan Unmasked, but I suspect I'm in the minority on this point. Also, I took a hard ball on a fly hit by a grown man when I was ten and it left me with permanent damage to the right side of my head and ear. As a result, I have a real fear of speeding baseballs. Naturally, I could feel Nate's pain and wondered he would have baseballphobia, too, when he woke up. I am more of a fan of comics, having grown up on a diet of Archie, Superman, and Little Lulu, so I did like that aspect of Dan's story.

Dan Unmasked is an excellent story about hope, friendship, family, and learning to come to terms with the things we cannot change. Ultimately, what really got me was the strength of Dan's magical thinking, which was as strong as his feelings for his best friend.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was gratefully received from Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't into superheroes growing up, only occasionally read comic books, and played softball just that one summer for the YMCA, but Dan Unmasked sounded like such a unique book and so I was excited to be able to read it. Plus a bonus, that cover is gorgeous. There are a lot of pieces to this story and I really liked how Negron blended the comic books with baseball, two things that instantly grab at your attention. I did feel quite sorry for Dan when Nate is injured, he takes all the blame on himself. He's convinced that his friend is somehow stuck in an alternative world after entering this sort of portal (the Nexus from his favorite comic book) and he needs to help him find his way back home. Dan's continuously searching for answers, be it getting in contact with George Sanderson to discuss the Nexus to developing his own comic book with Ollie and Courtney. Then Dan learns about Familiar Auditory Sensory Training or (FAST) a neurorehabilitation approach that uses stories told by those familiar to Nate as auditory stimulations and Dan is again convinced that this will be the answer to reaching his friend. I was surprised though that Dan didn't spend more time telling his friend stories throughout rather than waiting until the very end of the book, but it's really a small quibble. Given my background in speech pathology and TBI, I think it boils down to that I was looking at the medical pieces of a TBI, the coma stimulation, physical and occupational therapies, and the story was more about the emotional and friendship aspects, Dan searching for answers, the comic book, Dan's relationship with his mom and father and even the upcoming championship game to name a few. How those things changed while Nate was in the hospital and how Dan felt about his role in Nate being injured. There's even the side story of George Sanderson which reminded me of James O' Barr writing the Crow to deal with his own personal tragedy. This is Negron's debut novel and it's a very strong one, I've seen it compared to John David Anderson's work and totally can see this. I'm looking forward to seeing what he writes next.

** A huge thank you to Blue Slip Media and Harper Collins for the ARC **

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baseball isn't a subject that I usually enjoy reading about, but Negron has done such a fabulous job with his debut novel that I found myself really enjoying it. Baseball, comics, and friendship make this an appealing, well-written book that I can highly recommend.
The story revolves around Dan and his best friend, Nate, who love to play baseball and read comics together. With Nate as their pitcher the Giants have a great shot at winning the championship. And Dan and Nate and their friends love to get together to read each new issue of the Captain Nexus comic series. Life is good, until Nate is injured in an accident at baseball practice and ends up in a coma. And Dan blames himself for the accident and desperately wants to find a way to help his friend. When a doctor tells him that telling stories can help a person in a coma, Dan decides that with the help of Ollie, Nate's younger brother, and Courtney, a new friend, they can write an ending for the Captain Nexus series that includes a way for Nate to escape the "Nexus Zone".

But Dan, Courtney, and Ollie struggle to combine their talents to create a comic that works. Meanwhile, Dan and Courtney enter Ollie's artwork in a contest to meet the author of the Captain Nexus comics. They don't expect it to change their work as well as the work of the author. In addition, Dan and his Giants teammates want to do well in the baseball championship in honor of their injured teammate, but can they combine their efforts to make up for their lost player?

Great baseball scenes combine with the Captain Nexus story as well as Dan's story to make for an intriguing tale of friendship, guilt, and overcoming challenges. I appreciated the depth that took the story far beyond just an entertaining tale of comic book superheroes and baseball. Dan's feelings of guilt, his longing to spend time with his overworked father, his desperate need to help his friend, allow him to connect with George Sanderson, the author/illustrator of the Captain Nexus series, leading to some rather unexpected events. Overall, a great combination of story lines and characters that makes for a great read.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot to like in Dan unmasked: a popular and too rare combination of graphic novel geekdom and sports prowess, a mix of childish fantastic thinking and serious issues, a pleasant cast of secondary characters and a mom with a great comic-relief job of restaurant health-code inspection. But there are some serious downsides. The Captain Nexus comic book is a huge part of the plot and there is lots of description devoted to describing the world. Perhaps avid superhero fans will eat it up but I think the story would have been much better served by this being a hybrid novel like Wink or Max and the Midknights or several others whose titles I will look up later. If we could just see the comic panels and read the story that so inspires Dan it would have been a lot more entertaining than reading him drone on about it. That however is a structural problem, my bigger issues are the hero worship Dan has for his best friend, Nate. I would be fine if Dan were actually in love with Nate but the story never heads in that direction. Left platonic it just seems irritating and slightly off. Also annoying to me was a belabored theme about a dad who is too busy and doesn’t care. Guess what, he cares a ton, more than any dad in the history of the world. I have never, in all my life, seen any dad who remotely came close to caring this much. Added to the over-valuing of love objects is a final scene that made my skin crawl and sank my heart. Too perfect, too much.

[Brenda Kahn]

I think kids will enjoy this. I mostly did - great baseball action, interesting comic book interludes, nice friendship story. The medical bits? A tad soap opera-ish.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. Thank you to the publisher and blue_slip_media for the free review copy of this book to share with Kid Lit Exchange. All opinions are my own.

This is a story about comic books, superheroes, baseball, grief and most of all the power of friendship. Dan, his best friend, Nate and their baseball team are on their way to winning the championship. There are several games yet to go in the tournament, but with the team’s great playing, Nate’s amazing pitching and Nate and Dan’s uncanny ability to always know what each other is thinking (they know they’re on the same page when each lays a finger next to his nose) it seems they can’t miss.

Not only does the team share the love of baseball, but they also share the love of comics, especially the Captain Nexus series. In fact when a new issue comes out, they all gather in Nate’s basement, along with his brother Ollie to read it together. Each issue ends with a cliffhanger, which gives everyone lots to theorize about what will happen next.

The next day at practice that’s exactly what Dan and Nate are doing; brainstorming about the next issue when they should really be watching the ball; the ball that changes everyone’s lives.
Nate is suddenly in a coma and Dan is certain it’s all his fault. Dan is convinced the only way Nate will wake up, is if he, Ollie and Ollie’s friend, Courtney, write a comic starring Nate.

This story had me on the edge of my seat, as it also brought tears to my eyes. Dan’s determination to find a way to save his friend was inspiring, but the fear and loneliness he felt as he faced the real possibility of losing Nate, broke my heart. At the same time, the supportive friendships and the kindness which surrounded Dan and his friends filled me with warmth as I read.

DAN UNMASKED needs to be on every library shelf! It’s for the baseball lover, the comic book geek and especially for anyone who wants to read a story which fills them with hope. Grades 4+. You need to order it now! It’s out July 20.

[Scott Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find that MG grade books are often too simple or too predictable. Sure, they are for MG readers, but I don't think authors give these kids enough credit. They want a good story and want to be challenged. After the initial predicament of Dan Unmasked is introduced, I thought, oh great, another feel-good story. I thought I knew how everything would be resolved. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Chris Negron takes the reader on an unexpected journey. He weaves together a number of distinct story elements—any one of which could have fulfilled the MG box—and creates a heartfelt, emotional rollercoaster. I've heard it said that a story should be inevitable and surprising. At first glance, these seem to be a contradiction, but they are not. The reader shouldn't be able to guess the ending, but once they get there, they should be able to look back and know that this was the only ending possible.

In Dan Unmasked, Negron has given the reader both—and a whole lot more. The characters read like real kids. Although readers will love Dan, there are a host of other characters, each with their own strengths and problems. Negron doesn't sugarcoat the issue at hand, as most MG authors might. We see Dan's struggles and his grief, and we can't help but feel empathy for him and the rest of the team.

This is the easiest five-star review I've ever given. Get the book. You (and your MG) won't be disappointed.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes friends finish each other’s sentences, but thirteen-year-old best friends, Dan and Nate, sometimes need no words at all. They’re so in sync on and off the baseball field that a certain look or gesture speak volumes, but when Nate falls into a coma, Dan would do anything to hear his voice again. Chris Negron’s moving debut, DAN UNMASKED (7/28/20), is an exploration of guilt, grief, anxiety, determination, and hope through a devastating accident. Paired with the baseball theme, this riveting story also uses comics to drive the plot and spotlight the incredible bond between friends. As Dan narrates in his candid, relatable voice, you’ll feel for him and Nate’s little brother, Ollie, as they cope with missing their superhero—Nate is the friend everyone wishes they had. While I teared up a few times (alright, maybe sobbed), but this book isn’t weighed down with sadness. In fact, there is plenty of exciting action, some mystery, and a bit of comic relief among all of the endearing characters. While it is an unique and imaginative way of dealing with sorrow, it all felt very real and touched my heart immensely. Impossible to forget, DAN UNMASKED should fly high on your radar because it has something for everyone to bring out the superhero in all of us.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of superheroes and comics will love this heart-warming story of friendship and bravery.
--
Dan and Nate are best friends and massive comic-book fans, as well as team-mates on a baseball team bound for the championship. Their telepathic friendship makes them a force on the field, and their passion for Captain Nexus comics fills their time off the field. But when a wayward baseball strikes Nate’s head and sends him into a coma, Dan is bereft and looking for solace and solutions. What ensues is a quest inspired by their beloved Captain Nexus, that leads Dan and his sidekicks into situations that require bravery and compassion, as well as a great deal of imagination. I very much enjoyed the depiction of friendships among middle school boys that this book showcased. The author very successfully illuminated the boys’ vulnerability and depth of feeling, which I feel is often not given its due in books for this age group; I really loved that. I am not a comics or superhero person, but I thought the premise of this book was very clever and well-executed, and the writing was top-notch. I would recommend it for any baseball, comic book, or superhero fans, and would suggest it for adults looking to recommend books about friendship to young readers.

[Risa Nyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Unmasked hits a home run (I couldn’t resist writing that). It is amazing how Chris Negron is able to pull the reader into his story and put us on the edge of our seat at a crucial baseball game or as we travel through a portal in a comic book.

As Dan Summers, the main character, tries to figure out his place with his friends, teammates and as a son, he encounters some difficult challenges that fill him with guilt and despair. He must search for a way to save his best friend Nate, and he partners with Ollie, Courtney and George Sanderson, the author and illustrator of a comic book series, to use his two passions of baseball and comic books to create an unusual solution.

Mr. Negron has found a way to interconnect baseball and superheroes in an intriguing way while always allowing the reader into the rich human emotions which are layered throughout this book.

Dan Unmasked is all a middle grade novel should be: it is full of heart, courage and growth.

[storymamas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfect for fans of all things comics, super heroes, baseball and friendship stories. But really it’s so much more than that. At first as I started to read I was thinking it would be a fun story about all those things but as I got more into the book it got deep. I started to feel for the characters, to route for them, to connect with them. The cover art has the perfect mix of fun and seriousness in the eyes of the main character Dan who learns so much about himself, friendship and the true meaning of life after his best friend Nate ends up in a coma. This heartfelt book made me smile, made my mouth drop open a few times in astonishment (especially at the ending) and even made me tear up. It’s a wonderful, debut middle grade book! I can't wait to share it with students and my own children when they get a little bit older!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan's friendship with Nate is the powerful, all-consuming bond that many kids experience with a best friend. They are teammates on a baseball team and share a passion for comic books, especially Captain Nexus. Early in the book, Nate suffers a baseball injury and is placed in a coma. Dan grieves for his friend and suffers guilt for his part in the accident that landed Nate in the hospital.
What follows is a beautiful story about friendship, teamwork, and healing wounds through art and creativity. Dan's conversations with Nate are relived in his mind as he works to solve problems. Through these memories, the reader experiences Nate as a wise, loving, friend and brother. We feel the pain of his absence as deeply as Dan. The ending is deeply touching. A must read.

[Kevin Costner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The main character was so sweet, and my heart broke watching him deal with the grief of his actions that resulted in his best friend going into a coma. The writing was smooth and kept me turning pages. The relationships he develops with his friends while it was in a coma were very sweet and realistic. I especially loved the ending! Hand this to kids who love baseball, comics, and pizza!

[Leo Penha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a boy overcoming adversities when his best friend is taken away from him. It brought a tear to my eye more than a few times. Despite my busy schedule, I couldn't put this book down. It's also packed with comic book references and I geeked out in every one of them. Definitely a must read.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My best friend in college adored Wednesdays. There was always a frenzy about comics, pull boxes, plastic wrap and special editions. These were the lifeblood of a comic book lover, and they’re woven in layered detail in this loving debut by Chris Negron. A story of guilt, grief, and ultimately, love, it’s a wonderful read at the center of comics, baseball and friendship.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The storyline in this new release by debut author Chris Negron drew me in as layer upon layer of emotional complexity was added. It was one of those amazing reading experiences where you live in the tension of racing to finish the story while fearing it is coming to an end all too quickly.

Kids. Will. Love. This. Book. And I mean all kids. But I am actually feeling giddy as I think about my reluctant male readers, who I suspect will gobble it up!

Middle-grade readers will have several opportunities to see themselves reflected in Dan Unmasked. The author nailed the voice of the main character right from the start (pulling me into Dan's highly engaging character) but also had me fully invested in the multi-dimensional secondary characters he built with such skill.

While I don't have a huge interest in baseball, I was riveted by the baseball aspect of the story. Riveted.

I did grow up reading comic books - but the Archie variety, not superheroes - yet the superhero comic book pieces had me glued to the pages like the remnants of last night's dinner stuck to the bottom of an unattended pan. Not that I have experience with that kind of thing - it's just a hunch.

And the wisdom throughout the books as characters grew and changed was inspirational and real, with advice like:
* lighting up your brain with activities you enjoy helps when times are dark
* stories giving us ways to figure things out in our own lives
* pushing back on feeling afraid of something new, because a life lived right is full of the new
*sometimes we are our own worst enemies, and
*it isn't powers that make someone a superhero, it's the things they do every day

My favorite paragraph in the book seems to tie into the title: "One of the best parts of a comic, though, is when someone close to the hero finds out how she really is, the powers he has, all the great stuff she can do. In that moment they remember the amazing battles, the incredible feats, the rescued people, realizing that all this time the hero has been right next to them, but they never even guessed it."

Dan Unmasked is a touch-them-all, homerun of a story! I will be watching for Chris Negron's next release with great anticipation and highly recommend teachers and parents get this book into the hands of middle-graders!
Dan Unmasked

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You can't keep things the same no matter how perfect they started out."

Chris Negron definitely hit it out of the park with his debut book (pun definitely intended, b/c I am a nerd). I picked up this book based on the description, but the book was even better than I thought it was going to be. Such a happy surprise when that happens.

Dan Unmasked is like a feel good sports movie, but it's even better b/c it's a book. This middle grade fiction has the highs and lows of a sports movie as well as all the emotions that come with tragedy, friendship, and the power of community. It's a moving read, and it'd make a great classroom or family read aloud.

Rating: 4/5 stars
Best For: 10 and up, 4th-7th graders and fans of sports (especially baseball), comics, and fans of feel good sports movies.
# of Pages: 368
Clean Read: Yes.
Worth a Check Out: Yes. It'd make a great read aloud as well.

Some fav quotes:
"You can't keep things the same no matter how perfect they started out."

"Stories gives us a way to figure things out."

[Kerry Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this selection in a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks, Goodreads!

Dan’s best friend is injured and put into a medically induced coma. Dan feels responsible for the injury and is realizing there’s a lot of uncertainty in his life - but he has always found escape, solace, and answers in comic books. This time, however, comics seem to be failing him. He has to stop hiding in the shadows and become the hero of his own story, rather than looking to his best friend. He struggles, he loses his way and finds it again, but ultimately begins to grow up, and to view the world and the current events he’s dealing with from a different perspective. At times hard to read emotionally, that is a testament to how well-written and gripping the story is. I held my breath for him. I cried with him. And I celebrated with him. A middle grade story that is well worth the investment for any reader. Excellent debut novel - I can’t wait to see new selections from the author in the future.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend this book to any middle schooler who loves comics, drawing, and baseball. Also, if a middle schooler is going through a parental divorce and/or another traumatic event (such as experience an event that causes a friend to be injured), then this book of for them as well.

The story is about Dan who witnesses his best friend, Nate, be injured in a baseball game. Nate becomes comatose and Dan sets out to be the one who saves him. You don’t need to wear a mask in order to be a hero.

I enjoyed this book. It was a short listen (about 6-7 hours). I loved the friendship element this story had—which was the heart of the plot. I also really enjoyed how imaginative the characters could be, especially during a time when hope seems lost.

There were some tropes on this book that I also enjoyed—finding comic book writer hero (and realizing that he isn’t all what they imagined$). Loved that aspect of this story.

Overall, really great, powerful middle school read!

[Melissa Pinto · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I went in to this book expecting to like it because of the reviews and if I’m being honest, I struggled with it at first because of all the characters and things going on. But then, it just clicked and I never turned back! The character development is so dynamic and the way Dan explores so many things (grief, friendship, others perspectives, etc.) and is reflective in a way that produces so much growth was unexpected in all the best ways! I love how this was done with a male protagonist who enjoys comics and baseball and how the things he was learning often came through his experiences with both. His hobbies make him interesting and relatable and there were so many ways to invest in the story, you couldn’t help but be drawn in. It was emotional, fun, inspiring…what a great book for kids to read!! I would highly recommend this one for upper elementary and middle grade readers!!

[I Trump · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise drew me in. It took me a while to keep track of the characters and to warm up to the main character, Dan. But I go swept up in the story as I went on and read most of it in a day. Dan, along with others, had good character growth. I really liked Ollie.

The adults weren't as well drawn as the children. Mom's job as a restaurant inspector is supposed to provide comic relief, but she seems shocked by her job even though she should be used to it. Dad works too much. The coach keeps trying to use superhero analogies to relate to his players, but he gets the name wrong. Even somehow Spiderman?

It was a clever premise, though at times outlandish (like comics) and coincidental. I enjoyed how everything tied up. The themes resonated.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan, Unmasked lives up to its title. Dan's obvious love for his friends and family shine throughout the book. His emotional distress leads him to band with his enemy, his best friend Nate's little brother, Ollie, who he usually battled for Nate's attention. In this story about the love of comics and how closely art imitates life, we get to see boys portraying emotions without jokes as they try to find a way to rescue their Nate.

[Sam Subity · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads like a love letter to comic books, baseball, and the joys and fears of being a kid navigating the middle school years. I loved how the main character slowly grows and emerges from the shadow of his best friend throughout the book and realizes by the end that not all heroes wear capes.

[Kathy Forbus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story for boys! As a literature teacher, the search for boy books can be daunting. This covers it all...superheroes, sports and camaraderie 😀 with a bit of mystery just around the corner. However, don’t count the girls out! This story intrigues girls and all ages with an eventful storyline and charismatic characters. Loved it !!♥️

[Joyce Dusterhus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The book is well written and the characters stand out. I felt as I read the book I knew each character personally. The ending was unexpected and heart felt. Every age reader will enjoy this book. The young reader will especially enjoy the the knowledge the writer showes about baseball and comic books.

[Checkthebook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! A book for us. Read it quick! Lovely and powerful story with awesome functional parents. Main character is a boy, but girls would enjoy this book too. Language: suck (p.65). Also: YouTube (p. 72), Christmas (p.85).