Dull Boy by Sarah Cross

From the Publisher

What do you do if you can deadlift a car, and you spend your nights flying to get away from it all? If you're fifteen-year-old Avery Pirzwick, you keep that information to yourself. When you're a former jock turned freak, you can't afford to let the secret slip.

But then Avery makes some friends who are as extraordinary as he is. He realizes they're more than just freaks—together, maybe they have a chance to be heroes. First, though, they have to decide whether to trust the mysterious Cherchette, a powerful wouldbe mentor whose remarkable generosity may come at a terrible price.

Publishers Weekly

In her engrossing first novel, Cross introduces Avery Pirzwick, a misunderstood teenager with mysterious superpowers he keeps secret. Avery tries to use his super-strength and flying ability to help others, but mostly they just cause him grief ("the only 'super' I've been to my friends lately is super lame"). He quit the wrestling team after accidentally breaking another wrestler's arm, and after additional mishaps his parents send him to an alternative school. There, he meets other misfit kids with secret abilities, like Sophie, who can stick to walls, and Catherine, who has razor-sharp claws (and a temper). Unfortunately, Avery is also being dogged by Cherchette, a superpowered adult who aims to recruit Avery and his friends for her own purposes. Like the best superhero stories, Cross's novel has crisp action sequences and a good sense of humor, but also gets deep into the fears and struggles of teenagers who simply don't fit in. "Every single one of us has secrets," Avery reflects as the group grows more close-knit. "Only now we have them together." Ages 12-up. (May)

Children's Literature

This work of easy-to-read fiction follows the anything-but-dull life of a pubescent boy named Avery. When he injures his friend Henry and discovers his seemingly endless strength, Avery feels like a freak. He distances himself from his family and friends. Although he claims to be doing homework, he really wanders around his community looking for people he can use his strength to help. One such attempt becomes the last straw for his parents, who enroll Avery in an alternative school because they believe he is a danger to himself and those around him. In the meantime, Avery discovers he has the capacity to fly (as if his superhuman strength were not enough). A visit from ice queen Churchette helps Avery on his journey, causing him to realize there are others out there like him—but where? His senses are keen as he takes in the characteristics of others, finally finding a group of teens with whom he can relate. Follow this group, whose powers include being a matter-consuming vortex, stickiness, catlike dexterity, dropping temperatures to arctic conditions, and being a robot scientist (the brains of the operation), as they work on honing their powers, overthrowing evil and saving the world. Reviewer: K. Meghan Robertson

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up—Avery Pirzwick is not at all dull. He pretends to be, since being different can be dangerous. He keeps his superpowers (he is incredibly strong and able to fly) secret from everyone, even his parents. Convinced that with great power comes great responsibility, he patrols his town, trying to right wrongs. After a few "strength malfunctions," he's sent to an alternative school for troubled youth and eventually meets some other teens who are equally extraordinary (e.g., Darla is a super genius, Catherine has razor-sharp fingernails, and Nicholas has a dangerous vortex raging in his chest). Together, Avery and his pals realize that they are not freaks; they even become heroes when they catch a mugger and rescue a lost scout troop. Meanwhile, the icy, mysterious Cherchette—an adult with superpowers—promises to help them reach their full potential if they will live with her. The kids eventually learn the truth about her nefarious plans, and a sequel is obvious at the book's end. Avery's narration, generously peppered with swear words, is hip, witty, funny, and sarcastic. His voice is the major strength of the novel. The secondary characters are less well drawn. Teens who enjoy science fiction/fantasy will chuckle over Avery and also be attracted to the characters' unique abilities.—Connie Tyrrell Burns, Mahoney Middle School, South Portland, ME

Kirkus Reviews

Teenager Avery Pirzwick flies around town each night looking for crimes to stop and people to help with his super strength. He wants to do good with these secret powers that have so messed up his life. He's had to quit wrestling to keep from hurting his opponents, and his parents' checkbook has taken a hit for damages incurred. When Cherchette Morozov, an odd European woman with powers of her own, offers to help, Avery wonders if she's his savior. That's thrown into doubt when he befriends Darla, Sophie and Nicholas, who have their own secrets, and super-intelligent Darla is certain Cherchette is no Charles Xavier of X-Men fame. Soul searching, teen angst and super-battles (with humor) ensue. Cross's first is a funny teen-super-team origin story . . . without an awful lot of action. Avery's sarcastic, self-deprecating narration is a highlight, as is the strange array of superpowers. The characters' normal, goofy interactions are the focus until the page-turning finale. A good bet for all teen sections-just not all superhero fans. (Fantasy. 10-14)

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