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Spider-Man's Social Dilemma #1
SpiderMan's Social Dilemma
The first in a three-book middle grade novel series by Spider-Man's number one fan and hilarious fiction writer, Preeti Chhibber! Peter Parker has been swinging and thwipping his way through New York City as Spider-Man for just a few months, and balancing his double life is complicated. He goes to school and tries not to embarrass himself in front of his crush, MJ; he takes photos for the Daily Bugle and tries not to embarrass himself in front of his boss, J. Jonah Jameson; and he fights crime in the evenings and . . . well, he's kind of always trying to not embarrass himself. Easier said than done when you're a teen with spider powers you're still getting used to. On top of all that, the notorious villain the Sandman is acting more strangely than ever, social media seems to be taking a toll on MJ, and someone keeps trying to steal an artifact that's supposedly powered by alien matter . . . which can't be good. Something eerie is going on, and Peter is determined to figure out what it is before things go from weird to dangerous. Told with Preeti Chhibber's incomparable voice, which balances wit and charm with teenage earnestness and vulnerability, this series is full of action-adventure, humor, friendship, and, of course, heroism. Complete the rest of your middle grade collection with these books from Marvel Far From Peter and Ned's Ultimate Travel Journal by Preeti Chhibber Black The Young Prince (Book 1 in the Young Prince series) by Ronald L. Smith Black Spellbound (Book 2 in the Young Prince series) by Ronald L. Smith The Unbeatable Squirrel Squirrel Meets World by Shannon and Dean Hale The Unbeatable Squirrel 2 Fuzzy, 2 Furious by Shannon and Dean Hale The Pirate Angel, The Talking Tree, and Captain Rabbit by Steve Behling Captain Starforce on the Rise by Steve Behling
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2022
29 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Preeti Chhibber
61 books167 followersPreeti Chhibber is a huge nerd. She usually spends her time reading a ridiculous amount of Young Adult, but is also ready to jump into most fandoms at a moment’s notice. You can follow her on Twitter @runwithskizzers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
November 8, 2024
4.0 Stars
I enjoyed this Spiderman middle grade novel that showed Peter Parker trying to balance the weight of being a superhero with the challenges of being a young adult.
I enjoyed this Spiderman middle grade novel that showed Peter Parker trying to balance the weight of being a superhero with the challenges of being a young adult.
June 7, 2023
WOW, so much fun! In this one we get Spiderman (Peter Parker), see him start dating MJ (after a long long time, LORD, just get on with it you two), see him figure out his powers and save people left and right and also try to get the Bugle (and then especially that dick) to be a bit kinder to Spidey. I loved how Peter and Spidey were the same, but yet also so different in how they reacted and acted. It was great to see Peter at school. I loved seeing various villains I know and get to meet a new one. The ending, OH YES. That sets a nice thing for the next book! I had a lot of fun reading this one. Happy it didn't go full out MCU on me, there is a reason why I don't read a lot of Marvel Universe stuff as it is just so tangled and messy. This was good to follow.
The only complaint I have is that I could have done without the villains POV. I am just not interested in that and it made for frustration, that is also why it is not a 5 star.
The only complaint I have is that I could have done without the villains POV. I am just not interested in that and it made for frustration, that is also why it is not a 5 star.
August 4, 2022
Every now and again, a story comes out that just makes you smile. This is an original story about a Spider-Man (respect the hyphen) that is still fairly new to his role. He's sixteen, has a crush on Mary Jane, and learning how to use social media to build his brand. There was so much heart in this story, a compelling mystery, and I'm very eager to check out the sequels when they're released.
July 6, 2024
3.5, rounded up
June 11, 2022
Spider-Man's Social Dilemma by Preeti Chhibber is a lot of fun.
In this tale, Peter Parker is a 16-year-old high school student who is night lighting as everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider-man and when the Sandman starts to look for an object from a local museum to increase his power and wealth Peter's life gets a lot more complicated.
Preeti Chhibber captures the feel and voice of these classic characters very well and the threat posed by the "unknown" enemy and the Sandman are interesting and keep the plot moving. The relationship between Peter and MJ is equally fun and engaging.
This is the first of three so it ends with a little of a cliffhanger but it was fun and I hope to be back for parts 2 and 3.
Thanks to #DisneyPublishing and #NetGalley for the ARC of #SpiderMansSocialDilemma.
In this tale, Peter Parker is a 16-year-old high school student who is night lighting as everyone's friendly neighborhood Spider-man and when the Sandman starts to look for an object from a local museum to increase his power and wealth Peter's life gets a lot more complicated.
Preeti Chhibber captures the feel and voice of these classic characters very well and the threat posed by the "unknown" enemy and the Sandman are interesting and keep the plot moving. The relationship between Peter and MJ is equally fun and engaging.
This is the first of three so it ends with a little of a cliffhanger but it was fun and I hope to be back for parts 2 and 3.
Thanks to #DisneyPublishing and #NetGalley for the ARC of #SpiderMansSocialDilemma.
May 29, 2024
What a blast from the past! This felt just like the 1994 animated series - the wit, the banter, the inner dialogue, everything - but with a few modern touches that amped up the queer and BIPOC representation. It was fun, adventurous, and the love connection between Peter and MJ felt so authentic. I feel like I just finished a Saturday morning cartoon binge and I loved it.
September 28, 2023
Teenage life is hard enough without being a superhero. Peter is trying to hold his grades together, and not fall asleep or lose focus in class and embarrass himself in front of his neighbor and crush MJ. It's hard when the superheroing thing eats into sleep time. He's also got a part time job now as a photographer for the Daily Bugle and he's trying to convince his boss that Spider-Man isn't a menace. But the superhero thing is getting serious these days. Someone keeps trying to steal a lamp that may have alien origins. And MJ thinks someone is using tech to hijack people's emotions. Can Peter keep it all together and get to the bottom of the weird stuff going on?
The mystery elements of this were not too hard to figure out but were laid out in a way that keep the pages turning. Chhibber has given Peter an engaging and likable voice, and he is fun to follow around. I like that Peter was also painted as a compassionate and understanding teen, he sees layers in the bad guys and wants to help out the person, not just stop their crime. And I like that MJ provides the brains to help him figure out how to stop the bad guy. I'm really torn as to whether to shelve this in middle grade or YA. All the main characters are teens or adults, but the drama and action and content are kept at a middle grade feel. The cover definitely feels aimed more at the MG crowd too.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond some boy/girl hand-holding that I remember (hazards of writing this 5 days later). There are some fight scenes but no one gets too seriously hurt. There's some mind manipulation going on with tech devices that may freak some kids out (emphasize alien fictional stuff involved). Mr Jameson is his typical gruff, rough, manipulative self but actually makes some positive steps in this book (a first in Marvel lit???).
The mystery elements of this were not too hard to figure out but were laid out in a way that keep the pages turning. Chhibber has given Peter an engaging and likable voice, and he is fun to follow around. I like that Peter was also painted as a compassionate and understanding teen, he sees layers in the bad guys and wants to help out the person, not just stop their crime. And I like that MJ provides the brains to help him figure out how to stop the bad guy. I'm really torn as to whether to shelve this in middle grade or YA. All the main characters are teens or adults, but the drama and action and content are kept at a middle grade feel. The cover definitely feels aimed more at the MG crowd too.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond some boy/girl hand-holding that I remember (hazards of writing this 5 days later). There are some fight scenes but no one gets too seriously hurt. There's some mind manipulation going on with tech devices that may freak some kids out (emphasize alien fictional stuff involved). Mr Jameson is his typical gruff, rough, manipulative self but actually makes some positive steps in this book (a first in Marvel lit???).
January 22, 2022
*Received an ARC through NetGalley*
As a fan of Spider-Man, I always love picking up books about his many adventures. (Though, this is not a MCU Spider-Man story so know that going into it. This is not a bad thing whatsoever, readers just need to go into it with a more Comic-based Spidey in mind or else they might become incredibly confused.)
This one was super compelling with a story that grips you pretty quickly. The mystery elements are well done, you can piece together some of the elements but you cant really see how they fit until the end. It also helps tie all of the various storylines present in the book together so none of them feel out of place or unnecessary. The romance is super cute and realistically done, and the use of the dual perspectives allows the reader insight that makes it all the more charming.
The ending does seem a bit rushed, I wanted the final confrontation/explanation to go on for about 20 more pages. There was a lot of buildup that I felt warranted a slightly longer ending. Maybe it was left open for a sequel, but personally, I wanted just a little more from this book.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars. Did exactly what you expect from a Spider-Man story, with an engaging story that can make it hard to put the book down once you get going.
As a fan of Spider-Man, I always love picking up books about his many adventures. (Though, this is not a MCU Spider-Man story so know that going into it. This is not a bad thing whatsoever, readers just need to go into it with a more Comic-based Spidey in mind or else they might become incredibly confused.)
This one was super compelling with a story that grips you pretty quickly. The mystery elements are well done, you can piece together some of the elements but you cant really see how they fit until the end. It also helps tie all of the various storylines present in the book together so none of them feel out of place or unnecessary. The romance is super cute and realistically done, and the use of the dual perspectives allows the reader insight that makes it all the more charming.
The ending does seem a bit rushed, I wanted the final confrontation/explanation to go on for about 20 more pages. There was a lot of buildup that I felt warranted a slightly longer ending. Maybe it was left open for a sequel, but personally, I wanted just a little more from this book.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars. Did exactly what you expect from a Spider-Man story, with an engaging story that can make it hard to put the book down once you get going.
February 5, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley & Marvel Press for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story follows Peter Parker as he navigates his life as a kid in school while also dealing with his growing feelings for next door neighbor Mary Jane Watson. Oh, he's also navigating a strange mystery going back decades and Sandman appears to be in the center of it all...
I really enjoyed this story--it's fast-paced with a really interesting mystery and fleshed-out characters. I liked seeing MJ in particular have a character and a life outside of Peter. Sandman was a fun antagonist and I liked seeing his chapters. Of course, I enjoyed the Daily Bugle sections and liked that even the staff wasn't a fan of JJJ's hatred of Spider-Man, it put a nice spin on it rather than everyone just accepting it.
Highly recommend for any young Spider-Fan!
This story follows Peter Parker as he navigates his life as a kid in school while also dealing with his growing feelings for next door neighbor Mary Jane Watson. Oh, he's also navigating a strange mystery going back decades and Sandman appears to be in the center of it all...
I really enjoyed this story--it's fast-paced with a really interesting mystery and fleshed-out characters. I liked seeing MJ in particular have a character and a life outside of Peter. Sandman was a fun antagonist and I liked seeing his chapters. Of course, I enjoyed the Daily Bugle sections and liked that even the staff wasn't a fan of JJJ's hatred of Spider-Man, it put a nice spin on it rather than everyone just accepting it.
Highly recommend for any young Spider-Fan!
April 30, 2024
This has become one of my Comfort Books. I love it so much.
July 12, 2022
The last few years have given us a wide variety of Spider-Mans (Spider-Men?) to get invested in and cheer for, from old faves coming back to the fight to newer iterations crossing the animated spider-verse and stealing the hearts of audiences everywhere. And now this summer, Preeti Chhibber’s take on Peter Parker becomes a worthy addition to that canon by getting right to the heart of what’s made Spidey so lovable over the last few decades.
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma is not an origin story, per se, as Peter already has his powers, his suit and a reputation for being the friendly neighborhood superhero. Instead of picking up the story from that familiar beat, Chhibber instead chooses to focus on other no less beloved parts of his life, namely his job taking pictures for the Daily Bugle and his romance with girl-next-door MJ Watson. But for all that it’s a coming of age story, there is also a thrilling mystery woven in, that is just spooky enough, and just otherworldly enough to keep readers of all ages invested.
Though it’s true there are elements of the supernatural in the story, the true strength of the story, and of Chhibber’s writing, is how the “friendly neighborhood” part of “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” never really gets lost in the larger-than-life events surrounding Peter and his friends. At the end of the day, they act and feel like teenagers — very intelligent teenagers, but teenagers all the same — who are just trying to do their best.
A pleasant surprise I found while reading is that Chhibber did not keep the points of view limited to just Peter and Flint Marko (aka Sandman), the novel’s antagonist. She also gives plenty of time to MJ’s internal monologue, both as someone getting embroiled in a superhero conflict that is larger than her, but also as a teenager struggling at once with feelings she does and doesn’t understand. Her MJ is fascinating, and showcases the kind of vulnerability that we often lose in (usually female) characters when trying to portray them as “strong.” MJ is intellectually intelligent and emotionally intelligent. She has a good heart and genuinely cares about her loved ones and wants to make the world a better place. But she’s human too, she makes mistakes, and isn’t condemned for them, but instead is given the space to learn and to grow from them.
Though I left high school behind quite some time ago, Chhibber taps into such relatability with Peter and MJ in particular that it gave me a nostalgic lens with which to look back at that time of my life, and will no doubt give the younger readers at whom this is aimed something to look forward to in high school (sorry kids, superhero or not, emotions at that age truly are that messy). This one is a must-read for Spidey fans young and old, and I cannot wait to see where Chhibber takes this story next!
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma is out July 26. Special thank you to Disney Books for an advance copy for review purposes.
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma is not an origin story, per se, as Peter already has his powers, his suit and a reputation for being the friendly neighborhood superhero. Instead of picking up the story from that familiar beat, Chhibber instead chooses to focus on other no less beloved parts of his life, namely his job taking pictures for the Daily Bugle and his romance with girl-next-door MJ Watson. But for all that it’s a coming of age story, there is also a thrilling mystery woven in, that is just spooky enough, and just otherworldly enough to keep readers of all ages invested.
Though it’s true there are elements of the supernatural in the story, the true strength of the story, and of Chhibber’s writing, is how the “friendly neighborhood” part of “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” never really gets lost in the larger-than-life events surrounding Peter and his friends. At the end of the day, they act and feel like teenagers — very intelligent teenagers, but teenagers all the same — who are just trying to do their best.
A pleasant surprise I found while reading is that Chhibber did not keep the points of view limited to just Peter and Flint Marko (aka Sandman), the novel’s antagonist. She also gives plenty of time to MJ’s internal monologue, both as someone getting embroiled in a superhero conflict that is larger than her, but also as a teenager struggling at once with feelings she does and doesn’t understand. Her MJ is fascinating, and showcases the kind of vulnerability that we often lose in (usually female) characters when trying to portray them as “strong.” MJ is intellectually intelligent and emotionally intelligent. She has a good heart and genuinely cares about her loved ones and wants to make the world a better place. But she’s human too, she makes mistakes, and isn’t condemned for them, but instead is given the space to learn and to grow from them.
Though I left high school behind quite some time ago, Chhibber taps into such relatability with Peter and MJ in particular that it gave me a nostalgic lens with which to look back at that time of my life, and will no doubt give the younger readers at whom this is aimed something to look forward to in high school (sorry kids, superhero or not, emotions at that age truly are that messy). This one is a must-read for Spidey fans young and old, and I cannot wait to see where Chhibber takes this story next!
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma is out July 26. Special thank you to Disney Books for an advance copy for review purposes.
September 10, 2022
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S SPIDER-MAN'S SOCIAL DILEMMA ABOUT?
So this is a Peter Parker in High School story—he's been Spider-Man for 6 months or so, he's fought some bigger villains, but he's still got a lot to learn. J. Jonah Jameson is campaigning against him. He's learning how to balance school and web-slinging. It's definitely set in 2022, and isn't in a comic timeline or one from any of the movie universes. It feels a little like the early Ultimate Spider-Man, but MJ is closer to the MCU version.
Sandman and Beetle have attempted to steal a 100+-year-old device that is powered by something alien (or so rumor has it). But both of them are acting a little strangely lately—Peter can't say what it is exactly, but they're more violent, more determined. He's still able to hold his own against them, but it's a little work.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SPIDER-MAN'S SOCIAL DILEMMA?
I really don't have a lot to say about this—it's a fun Spider-Man story. And who needs more than that? But let me try...
It's fun and fast-paced, with good action. Chhibber combined tried-and-true Spider-Foes with a new threat, I appreciate mixing the two rather than just giving us one more ride with the Green Goblin—or someone we're not at all familiar with. The action scenes are handled deftly and you can see them as clearly as if a Romita or a Bagley were bringing them to life.
Chhibber clearly knows this universe well and has a strong affection for the series—and that shines through. I may not have been able to keep up with the comics over the last decade or so, but Spider-Man has long* been my favorite, and to see him handled like this does my heart good.
* In this case, long = since 1980.
Yeah, this is targeted for an MG audience—but it didn't feel that way. It felt more All-Ages to me. A classic Spider-Man story—with requisite numbers of laughs, action, and optimism. If Marvel Press has Chhibber return (and the stage is set here for a sequel), I'll be first in line for this. It was a blast.
---
WHAT'S SPIDER-MAN'S SOCIAL DILEMMA ABOUT?
So this is a Peter Parker in High School story—he's been Spider-Man for 6 months or so, he's fought some bigger villains, but he's still got a lot to learn. J. Jonah Jameson is campaigning against him. He's learning how to balance school and web-slinging. It's definitely set in 2022, and isn't in a comic timeline or one from any of the movie universes. It feels a little like the early Ultimate Spider-Man, but MJ is closer to the MCU version.
Sandman and Beetle have attempted to steal a 100+-year-old device that is powered by something alien (or so rumor has it). But both of them are acting a little strangely lately—Peter can't say what it is exactly, but they're more violent, more determined. He's still able to hold his own against them, but it's a little work.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SPIDER-MAN'S SOCIAL DILEMMA?
I really don't have a lot to say about this—it's a fun Spider-Man story. And who needs more than that? But let me try...
It's fun and fast-paced, with good action. Chhibber combined tried-and-true Spider-Foes with a new threat, I appreciate mixing the two rather than just giving us one more ride with the Green Goblin—or someone we're not at all familiar with. The action scenes are handled deftly and you can see them as clearly as if a Romita or a Bagley were bringing them to life.
Chhibber clearly knows this universe well and has a strong affection for the series—and that shines through. I may not have been able to keep up with the comics over the last decade or so, but Spider-Man has long* been my favorite, and to see him handled like this does my heart good.
* In this case, long = since 1980.
Yeah, this is targeted for an MG audience—but it didn't feel that way. It felt more All-Ages to me. A classic Spider-Man story—with requisite numbers of laughs, action, and optimism. If Marvel Press has Chhibber return (and the stage is set here for a sequel), I'll be first in line for this. It was a blast.
July 22, 2022
Thanks to Disney Books Publishing and NetGalley for the digital arc!
Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is one of the most fun and heartwarming books I've read so far this year. Following a 16-year-old Peter Parker/Spider-Man, the middle-grade novel charts the teen's adventures both in and out of the Spidey suit - from the daily struggle of trying to make it to class on time and drumming up the courage to ask out MJ to swinging through New York City and stopping bad guys.
The main villain of the novel is Sandman/Flint Marko, but the true big baddie of this new series (this is book 1 of 3) is a mysterious, possibly alien entity who is just getting started in Spider-Man's Social Dilemma.
The book is an engaging, quick read and perfect for its younger target audience as well as older fans who love both classic comic Spider-Man and the MCU web-slinger.
The biggest highlights of this novel are Peter's naturally adorable awkwardness in most social situations and with MJ - and equally, her awkwardness because she has just as much of a crush on him - and the attention to detail author Preeti Chhibber pays to the world-building.
New York City and particularly the world of Spider-Man aren't new to readers, but Chhibber's writing feels fresh and tuned to the elements young readers would most want to see. Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is just as much about navigating the obligations of school, friendships, family, and the online world as it is about Spidey thwipping around Queens and stopping Sandman.
Overall, the book is an engaging story that mixes comic book action with an inspiring and heartfelt narrative that more than earns its place among the canon of Spider-Man stories. I'm excited to see what happens next!
Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is one of the most fun and heartwarming books I've read so far this year. Following a 16-year-old Peter Parker/Spider-Man, the middle-grade novel charts the teen's adventures both in and out of the Spidey suit - from the daily struggle of trying to make it to class on time and drumming up the courage to ask out MJ to swinging through New York City and stopping bad guys.
The main villain of the novel is Sandman/Flint Marko, but the true big baddie of this new series (this is book 1 of 3) is a mysterious, possibly alien entity who is just getting started in Spider-Man's Social Dilemma.
The book is an engaging, quick read and perfect for its younger target audience as well as older fans who love both classic comic Spider-Man and the MCU web-slinger.
The biggest highlights of this novel are Peter's naturally adorable awkwardness in most social situations and with MJ - and equally, her awkwardness because she has just as much of a crush on him - and the attention to detail author Preeti Chhibber pays to the world-building.
New York City and particularly the world of Spider-Man aren't new to readers, but Chhibber's writing feels fresh and tuned to the elements young readers would most want to see. Spider-Man's Social Dilemma is just as much about navigating the obligations of school, friendships, family, and the online world as it is about Spidey thwipping around Queens and stopping Sandman.
Overall, the book is an engaging story that mixes comic book action with an inspiring and heartfelt narrative that more than earns its place among the canon of Spider-Man stories. I'm excited to see what happens next!
September 27, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARCand audiobook.
Description from NetGalley:
Peter Parker has been swinging and thwipping his way through New York City as Spider-Man for just a few months, and balancing his double life is complicated. He goes to school and tries not to embarrass himself in front of his crush, MJ; he takes photos for the Daily Bugle and tries not to embarrass himself in front of his boss, J. Jonah Jameson; and he fights crime in the evenings and . . . well, he’s kind of always trying to not embarrass himself. Easier said than done when you’re a teen with spider powers you’re still getting used to.
On top of all that, the notorious villain the Sandman is acting more strangely than ever, social media seems to be taking a toll on MJ, and someone keeps trying to steal an artifact that’s supposedly powered by alien matter . . . which can’t be good. Something eerie is going on, and Peter is determined to figure out what it is before things go from weird to dangerous.
This is the first in a planned three book middle grade series, and I can’t wait for the next one. If you are a fan of Spider-man then I think you will enjoy this book. It feels very much like modern, teenage Peter Parker. The narrator does a great job with the voices. The multiple POV helps us to fill in the gaps and know something that Spidey doesn’t yet know. While Sandman is definitely the villain of this book, there is an unknown baddie pulling the strings that definitely gave me the same set up vibes as the recent Marvel movies. The book has a quick pace and will keep middle grade readers engaged.
Overall: 4/5
Description from NetGalley:
Peter Parker has been swinging and thwipping his way through New York City as Spider-Man for just a few months, and balancing his double life is complicated. He goes to school and tries not to embarrass himself in front of his crush, MJ; he takes photos for the Daily Bugle and tries not to embarrass himself in front of his boss, J. Jonah Jameson; and he fights crime in the evenings and . . . well, he’s kind of always trying to not embarrass himself. Easier said than done when you’re a teen with spider powers you’re still getting used to.
On top of all that, the notorious villain the Sandman is acting more strangely than ever, social media seems to be taking a toll on MJ, and someone keeps trying to steal an artifact that’s supposedly powered by alien matter . . . which can’t be good. Something eerie is going on, and Peter is determined to figure out what it is before things go from weird to dangerous.
This is the first in a planned three book middle grade series, and I can’t wait for the next one. If you are a fan of Spider-man then I think you will enjoy this book. It feels very much like modern, teenage Peter Parker. The narrator does a great job with the voices. The multiple POV helps us to fill in the gaps and know something that Spidey doesn’t yet know. While Sandman is definitely the villain of this book, there is an unknown baddie pulling the strings that definitely gave me the same set up vibes as the recent Marvel movies. The book has a quick pace and will keep middle grade readers engaged.
Overall: 4/5
January 22, 2023
Thank you Disney Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with this arc.
A middle grade superhero farce, we follow Peter Parker balancing life as both an average high school student and a crime fighting spider soaring over the streets of New York City. His double life is thrown for a loop when a strange lamp sets him off to solve a mystery affecting friend and foe alike.
I truly wanted to enjoy this book, but there was something that kept holding me back from loving it. Something I still can’t quite put my finger on. I’m not going to lie, it has been some time since I read a book below a YA level and that might have skewed my perspective. For a middle grade read, the story interweaves multiple points of view so we see both the heroes’ and villain’s perspective as the book chugs along.
But I wasn’t exactly drawn in by the plot to enjoy seeing more than the interactions between Peter/Spidey and MJ. It was nice to see a familiar face in the form of Sandman, but the overarching enemy felt much less threatening and tangible. Plus, the eventual resolution fell flat and in exciting despite the relatively higher stakes of the situation.
My favorite character ended up being the mouthy obnoxious newspaperman, J. Jonah Jameson, which was strange given I usually love every interpretation of Peter. He felt true to earlier iterations and provided brief interludes of comic relief.
I personally would rather stick to the comics and onscreen appearances for Spider-Man lore, but this would work for the little ones who are ready for chapter books and want to read about their favorite superhero!
A middle grade superhero farce, we follow Peter Parker balancing life as both an average high school student and a crime fighting spider soaring over the streets of New York City. His double life is thrown for a loop when a strange lamp sets him off to solve a mystery affecting friend and foe alike.
I truly wanted to enjoy this book, but there was something that kept holding me back from loving it. Something I still can’t quite put my finger on. I’m not going to lie, it has been some time since I read a book below a YA level and that might have skewed my perspective. For a middle grade read, the story interweaves multiple points of view so we see both the heroes’ and villain’s perspective as the book chugs along.
But I wasn’t exactly drawn in by the plot to enjoy seeing more than the interactions between Peter/Spidey and MJ. It was nice to see a familiar face in the form of Sandman, but the overarching enemy felt much less threatening and tangible. Plus, the eventual resolution fell flat and in exciting despite the relatively higher stakes of the situation.
My favorite character ended up being the mouthy obnoxious newspaperman, J. Jonah Jameson, which was strange given I usually love every interpretation of Peter. He felt true to earlier iterations and provided brief interludes of comic relief.
I personally would rather stick to the comics and onscreen appearances for Spider-Man lore, but this would work for the little ones who are ready for chapter books and want to read about their favorite superhero!
July 14, 2022
This book was so much fun! I have always been a sucker for Spider-Man stories, and as soon as I saw this one on Netgalley, I had to request it. I'm so glad that I did.
In this book, Peter deals with being Spider-Man for just a few months, first love, a group project, a new job, and a mystery of what is happening around New York City. I'm glad that this was not an origin story and the fact that Peter has been Spider-Man for a bit of time. The Spider-Man origin story has been done enough. It was great seeing him start at the Bugle in this book and all the interactions with J. Jonah Jameson. JJJ will always be a favorite Spider-Man character of mine, and his parts give a ton of laughs.
This book was hilarious and sweet. Loved the budding relationship between Peter and MJ. Preetri has given Peter a great voice that stands out throughout the book. Also, MJ was one of the best parts of this book, and I loved seeing how much she supported Peter and her feelings throughout the book. It's great not only having Peter's perspective on everything but also other characters such as MJ and Sandman. I'm interested to see where the next book will go, especially with the ending.
I will pick up the other books in this series when they come out. This book would be great for middle schoolers and anyone who loves a good Spider-Man story. Also, I want to say that this is not the MCU Spiderman, so you know that going in.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
In this book, Peter deals with being Spider-Man for just a few months, first love, a group project, a new job, and a mystery of what is happening around New York City. I'm glad that this was not an origin story and the fact that Peter has been Spider-Man for a bit of time. The Spider-Man origin story has been done enough. It was great seeing him start at the Bugle in this book and all the interactions with J. Jonah Jameson. JJJ will always be a favorite Spider-Man character of mine, and his parts give a ton of laughs.
This book was hilarious and sweet. Loved the budding relationship between Peter and MJ. Preetri has given Peter a great voice that stands out throughout the book. Also, MJ was one of the best parts of this book, and I loved seeing how much she supported Peter and her feelings throughout the book. It's great not only having Peter's perspective on everything but also other characters such as MJ and Sandman. I'm interested to see where the next book will go, especially with the ending.
I will pick up the other books in this series when they come out. This book would be great for middle schoolers and anyone who loves a good Spider-Man story. Also, I want to say that this is not the MCU Spiderman, so you know that going in.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
August 7, 2022
A thoroughgoing delight from the first page to the last. Chhibber's tale is zippy and fun, with just a little bit of underlying seriousness (about toxic relationships with social media). Peter Parker is both familiar and new here; we find him early in his heroing career, in high school, in the current day, and (no spoilers!) we get to witness a couple of major events that nudge this version Spidey closer to the dynamic of the classic continuity. There's a satisfying who-doin-it that doesn't tip its hand too early (with some well-laid red-herrings). Flint Marko, a.k.a. Sandman, plays a key role here. We see him first just getting out of jail, feeling hounded and put-upon by Spider-Man, maybe close to the having that memorable conversation with Ben Grimm that set him (for a while) on a different path. But the MacGuffin here instead reveals a new side of the classic mid-level villain (and, incidentally, takes full advantage of the prose format to include some action that might be very hard to translate into compelling visual storytelling). Chhibber gives us some very sweet interaction with Mary Jane Watson, a satisfyingly blustery J. Jonah Jameson, and a host of other minor players who make this Spidey's world less whitebread and male-centric than the original comics. I also really appreciated the vividly drawn Manhattan and environs, with scenes set in two museums.
August 10, 2022
This book was so good it stuck with me long after I finished reading it! For Spider-Man fans it was the fresh-but-true interpretation of Peter Parker/Spider-Man that we've been waiting for, and I feel that it was the celebration of Peter Parker/Spidey that Spider-Man: No Way Home wished it could have been. Chhibber updated these characters and made them feel fresh without ever compromising the integrity who they are and their roots through various interpretations. The story is incredibly well written with an engaging plot that is driven by these fascinating characters. While it's not an origin story, it could easily be an introduction to someone who knows nothing about Spider-Man or with a passing, casual knowledge of the Spidey world, but at the same time is a treat for devoted fans as well! Lastly, I have to mention who wonderfully the character of Mary Jane was written. I absolutely fell in love with this MJ as she was everything I want from and love about the different character interpretations while also bringing something new and fresh to the mythos. Chhibber's MJ is so much more than the 'bold, pretty party girl who wants to be an actress' and she never feels like a love interest; she's wise, flawed, compassionate, maybe a bit angsty, and truly compelled to try to do the right thing. I can't wait for the sequel and any other work by Chhibber as well!
September 3, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Disney Publishing for receiving a digital ARC copy of Spider-Man's Social Dilemma. I enjoyed reading this book. It's a typical Spider-Man story full of teen-age problems, job problems, school problems, Spidey problems. and more.
Like every Spidey story I've ever read, Peter Parker has constant problems he has to deal with. He has school problems, Spidey issues, problems trying to help Aunt May, and issues finding time for romance with his new love interest.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book. My only issue is I'm so used to reading Spider-Man comics that it was hard to get into reading a Spider-Man story that was not a Comic book full of detailed beautiful illustrations. I really missed not having beautiful artwork complimenting this fun Spider-Man story. That's one of the great things about superhero stories, most of them are comics with awesome artwork. That wonderful artwork usually compliments the story perfectly and gives the audience a front row seat for all the action. My suggestion would be to have a piece of artwork at the start of each chapter to give the audience a preview of what's coming next.
If you like Spider-Man and teenaged angst stories, then please give Spider-Man's Social Dilemma a chance. You'll really enjoy it!
Stay awesome and keep reading!
Like every Spidey story I've ever read, Peter Parker has constant problems he has to deal with. He has school problems, Spidey issues, problems trying to help Aunt May, and issues finding time for romance with his new love interest.
Overall I enjoyed reading this book. My only issue is I'm so used to reading Spider-Man comics that it was hard to get into reading a Spider-Man story that was not a Comic book full of detailed beautiful illustrations. I really missed not having beautiful artwork complimenting this fun Spider-Man story. That's one of the great things about superhero stories, most of them are comics with awesome artwork. That wonderful artwork usually compliments the story perfectly and gives the audience a front row seat for all the action. My suggestion would be to have a piece of artwork at the start of each chapter to give the audience a preview of what's coming next.
If you like Spider-Man and teenaged angst stories, then please give Spider-Man's Social Dilemma a chance. You'll really enjoy it!
Stay awesome and keep reading!
June 18, 2022
I can never say no to a Spider-Man novel. This one was great! It had all the classic ingredients of a Spider-Man novel: MJ, Aunt May, villains out to take over the world, and of course a web slinging coming of age Peter Parker. In this story, Peter is just 16 years old when he has to take on Sandman; however, Sandman isn't just Sandman and something shady is going down on a mind control kinda level. Peter has to crack the case, balance a school group project AND keep her with his internship with the Daily Bugle as a photographer. That's a lot for any kid to balance, but luckily Peter has the best support system: MJ and Aunt May (and a few other friends at school and work!).
Totally an accessible and high interest middle grade read. I loved the narrator and think the audiobook was well put together.
If you are into Marvel and Spider-Man, this one is a fun, action packed and fast paced read.
Bonus: some of the commentary on social media having mind controlling abilities would be a great conversation starter in the classroom!
Totally an accessible and high interest middle grade read. I loved the narrator and think the audiobook was well put together.
If you are into Marvel and Spider-Man, this one is a fun, action packed and fast paced read.
Bonus: some of the commentary on social media having mind controlling abilities would be a great conversation starter in the classroom!
September 1, 2022
Preeti Chhibber has been a life-long fan of Spider-Man and getting to hear her voice for him is such fun! We get a perfectly balanced quippy, socially awkward, nervous around the girl he likes, trying to earn some cash to help out Aunt May, trying to be a hero and help out the neighborhood dude.
The story and action are really well done and the humor is just A+. There's a recurring joke about a dog that still cracks me up. We get a well done Lord of the Rings reference. And there's some really great, unexpected queer representation!
You can feel the love that was put into this book. I've enjoyed reading Chhibber's short stories, comics and children's books before, but I feel like she really gets to shine in the long-form, novel format. Looking forward to reading more in this series and just more in general from her!
Also, thanks to this book, I finally know how to spell "dilemma" :p
The story and action are really well done and the humor is just A+. There's a recurring joke about a dog that still cracks me up. We get a well done Lord of the Rings reference. And there's some really great, unexpected queer representation!
You can feel the love that was put into this book. I've enjoyed reading Chhibber's short stories, comics and children's books before, but I feel like she really gets to shine in the long-form, novel format. Looking forward to reading more in this series and just more in general from her!
Also, thanks to this book, I finally know how to spell "dilemma" :p
September 19, 2022
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma by Preeti Chhibber was a fun filled Spider-Man adventure and I can’t wait for the next one!
It follows Peter Parker as he tries to juggle his Spider-Man responsibilities with his newfound social life and his ever growing feelings for Mary-Jane, as well as his new job at the Daily Bugle. He also learns that being the friendly neighbour Spider-Man means he’s not always that friendly.
While the characters were Mary-Jane and Randy instead of Michelle Jones and Ned, I felt the Peter Parker was very much Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. It definitely had the same feel as the newer movies.
This is a fun, light and fluffy Spider-Man story that I would recommend for upper middle grade readers, and Spider-Man fans.
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma is out now.
Thank you Scholastic Australia for the review copy.
It follows Peter Parker as he tries to juggle his Spider-Man responsibilities with his newfound social life and his ever growing feelings for Mary-Jane, as well as his new job at the Daily Bugle. He also learns that being the friendly neighbour Spider-Man means he’s not always that friendly.
While the characters were Mary-Jane and Randy instead of Michelle Jones and Ned, I felt the Peter Parker was very much Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. It definitely had the same feel as the newer movies.
This is a fun, light and fluffy Spider-Man story that I would recommend for upper middle grade readers, and Spider-Man fans.
4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma is out now.
Thank you Scholastic Australia for the review copy.
January 12, 2023
#bookreview Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma by Preeti Chhibber
🤔where did ya come from?🤷🏼♀️
- I received an eARC of this via NetGalley from the publishers 🤩
😍the good stuff😍
- This is an early Spider-Man that is still adjusting to his powers and responsibilities.
- MJ is right next door and Aunt May is very supportive 😂
- Sandman is a villain I’ve always enjoyed just cause his powers are cool.
- The story is pretty good. You get bad guys and sciencey stuff and alien-ish stuff and Spider-Man saving the day. Just what you want in a Spider-Man story.
- There’s not a cliffhanger but it does leave it open ended a little bit because it’s the first of three books, I believe.
🫢my complaints🤫
- The beginning felt long and slow moving.
⚠️the warnings⚠️
- Give the story time to get moving. This is a book geared towards middle grade.
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🤔where did ya come from?🤷🏼♀️
- I received an eARC of this via NetGalley from the publishers 🤩
😍the good stuff😍
- This is an early Spider-Man that is still adjusting to his powers and responsibilities.
- MJ is right next door and Aunt May is very supportive 😂
- Sandman is a villain I’ve always enjoyed just cause his powers are cool.
- The story is pretty good. You get bad guys and sciencey stuff and alien-ish stuff and Spider-Man saving the day. Just what you want in a Spider-Man story.
- There’s not a cliffhanger but it does leave it open ended a little bit because it’s the first of three books, I believe.
🫢my complaints🤫
- The beginning felt long and slow moving.
⚠️the warnings⚠️
- Give the story time to get moving. This is a book geared towards middle grade.
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 14, 2023
I. Loved. This. Book! This was such a fun Spider-Man story, and man, it was so nice to see something completely unrelated to the MCU/Avengers-era stuff that we are getting on film. Preeti Chhibber does a great job at writing Peter Parker & Spider-Man, and giving him his own identity separate from the other versions (I was getting 90's animated TV show vibes from him, which I am all about). I hope we continue to see more of MJ in the future, because I think Chhibber did her quite well too! I will be very curious to see how the plot continues to move and what other classic villains may make an appearance.
Also, special shoutout to the audiobook narrator, Dan Bittner. He was PHENOMENAL in his reading and the voices for all the characters were spot-on! I hope he is brought back for the rest of the series!
Also, special shoutout to the audiobook narrator, Dan Bittner. He was PHENOMENAL in his reading and the voices for all the characters were spot-on! I hope he is brought back for the rest of the series!
March 7, 2025
I was really excited to read this to my kid who's as obsessed with Spider-man as I am. It started off well, a mysterious lamp, run ins with villains and a budding romance with the girl next door Mary-Jane Watson. And then it started to drag on and on and on. So many random B-plots that go no where, overly described mundane daily chores explained in endless grinding detail. Near the end I desperately wanted to stop reading, but my son wanted me to keep going so we could find out what mysterious beings were behind the evil lamp. I won't spoil it, but don't get your hopes up. Terrible editing, terrible pacing, terrible book.
The only saving graces was the cute romance between Peter and Mary-Jane, Sandman and J. Jonah Jameson. Then again, all of those concepts have been around since the 60's so this adds absolutely nothing to the SM mythos.
The only saving graces was the cute romance between Peter and Mary-Jane, Sandman and J. Jonah Jameson. Then again, all of those concepts have been around since the 60's so this adds absolutely nothing to the SM mythos.
June 29, 2022
The world truly needed a fast, fun, original Spider-Man story right now, and I'm glad this one exists. It's a different but worthwhile experience to read a Spider-Man story written in prose as opposed to a comic. This isn't the first of Preeti Chhibber's stories I've read and I cannot wait for more. Spider-Man and the general framework of his story has been around for decades, but the fact that writers can continue to craft new and exciting narratives with him continues to impress and delight me. Great job, Preeti!
For the record, I'm not the target audience of this book and I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It's great for superhero fans of all kinds. Don't skip it!
For the record, I'm not the target audience of this book and I still thoroughly enjoyed it. It's great for superhero fans of all kinds. Don't skip it!
December 30, 2022
A sixteen year old Peter Parker fights bad guys, navigates a crush and a new job at the Bugle in this middle grade romp. Peter is earnest here and the Parker Luck is in full swing but a lot of the plot struggled to make sense as it hit the story beats, like a macguffin super lockpick device that was important as a lead in to Sandman and Spider-Man's conflict, until it wasn’t. The banter was also pretty standard and missing the fun zingers Peter could pull off. Otherwise it would entertain Spidey fans with the familiarity of it all. But warning, it does not act like a standalone. The epilogue clearly is giving a hook for the second story which hopefully can improve upon the first.
February 25, 2024
This one was such a fun read. I had a great time going through this story. One of the things that brought it down for me was when it would switch to the villains perspective. I was always dreading it every time it would be pages of the villains perspective. He wasn’t interesting enough for me to want to spend time with his character. It would also switch to the perspective of MJ every now and then which was also not for me. There is also a moment when they go far back in time to explain a gadget that the villain is after. Those were my only three issues with this book and what brought it down for me. Other than that I thought it was extremely fun following Peter/ Spider-Man. Great read
March 18, 2024
Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma By Preeti Chhibber
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I am a massive Spider-Man fan and this book was fun detailed and you could tell the author was a Spider-Man fan by the way it was written and the love showed to the characters.
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There was multiple POV’s in the book like Spider-Man’s (Peter Parker’s) and MJ’s (Mary Jane Watsons) which were really good and interesting but on the other hand the villains POV seemed very weak and sometimes boring.
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Overall the setting of Peter Parker’s early days as Spider-Man was a great idea very new to the superhero life whilst trying to balance his personal life with his relationships and his job at the daily bugle.
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I rate this 3/5 stars ⭐️
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I am a massive Spider-Man fan and this book was fun detailed and you could tell the author was a Spider-Man fan by the way it was written and the love showed to the characters.
.
There was multiple POV’s in the book like Spider-Man’s (Peter Parker’s) and MJ’s (Mary Jane Watsons) which were really good and interesting but on the other hand the villains POV seemed very weak and sometimes boring.
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Overall the setting of Peter Parker’s early days as Spider-Man was a great idea very new to the superhero life whilst trying to balance his personal life with his relationships and his job at the daily bugle.
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I rate this 3/5 stars ⭐️
July 13, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Marvel/Disney publishing for a review copy of this book.
I remember the first Spider-Man novel I ever read, the Film adaptation of the first Sam Raimi film. I read it SO many times, so needless to say, I love Spider-Man.
This book took me back to that time as a young teen reading the book and basically devouring it. But the fun thing with this is its updated to todays lingo and technology.
One thing to note, this is different from the MCU Spider-Man, so don’t go in expecting that!
I remember the first Spider-Man novel I ever read, the Film adaptation of the first Sam Raimi film. I read it SO many times, so needless to say, I love Spider-Man.
This book took me back to that time as a young teen reading the book and basically devouring it. But the fun thing with this is its updated to todays lingo and technology.
One thing to note, this is different from the MCU Spider-Man, so don’t go in expecting that!
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