Book Review: Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds
Miles Morales
by Jason Reynolds
Blurb: Miles Morales is just your average teenager. Dinner every Sunday with his parents, chilling out playing old-school video games with his best friend, Ganke, crushing on brainy, beautiful poet Alicia. He's even got a scholarship spot at the prestigious Brooklyn Visions Academy. Oh yeah, and he's Spider Man.
But lately, Miles's spidey-sense has been on the fritz. When a misunderstanding leads to his suspension from school, Miles begins to question his abilities. After all, his dad and uncle were Brooklyn jack-boys with criminal records. Maybe kids like Miles aren't meant to be superheroes. Maybe Miles should take his dad's advice and focus on saving himself.
As Miles tries to get his school life back on track, he can't shake the vivid nightmares that continue to haunt him. Nor can he avoid the relentless buzz of his spidey-sense every day in history class, amidst his teacher's lectures on the historical "benefits" of slavery and the importance of the modern-day prison system. But after his scholarship is threatened, Miles uncovers a chilling plot, one that puts his friends, his neighborhood, and himself at risk.
It's time for Miles to suit up.
Cover Review: This cover really gives you an idea of what goes on inside the book. On the cover, Miles is on top of bus, dressed normally, with his mask on top of his head like a beanie. Less Spider-Man, more normal. That's very fitting for this book.
Plot: This book isn't about Miles being Spider-Man. It's about his struggle with between being a hero and his family history of crime. While I wanted more Spider-Maning (totally a word), I feel like the story was more powerful this way. The story was engaging and I could relate a lot to Miles.
Not to say there weren't a few problems. Most of them involving the villain. The main antagonist I would say is Mile's own self, but the physical villain that he fought at the end was a bit vague. I didn't understand why he was doing what he was or where the heck he came from. At least he did tie in well to the theme.
Characters: Miles Morales is the main character, if you couldn't guess. For those of you who don't know, he's another version of Spider-Man, only he's African American (I think) and has a different personality. I loved the way he came to life on the page. He was smart, adorably awkward, and a good kid.
The other characters were also good. His dad and mom are some of the best parents I've read in a YA book in a while. They felt so real. Sometimes strict, sometimes teasing, and just normal.
Ganke is his best friend and knows his secret, which I think is great. He's the sort of character that looks tough, but is actually a big softy. He cheers Miles on and helps him as much as he can.
World: The whole story takes place in Brooklyn, but in a variety of locations. From his prestigious school to his home in the less good parts of town. The setting had great significance in the story, something authors should use more often. I especially loved how Miles neighborhood came to life.
Other: The whole Spider-Man part was fun to read. I do love me a good superhero novel. The author brought in his powers in very subtle, normal-for-Miles ways. Like his camouflage feature (which I didn't know Miles had). Or using webshooters to turn on the TV. The fight at the end was a little confusing, but superhero action sequences do have a hard time translating to the page.
Rating: 4 stars
On a side note, I realized this was the third or so book I've read featuring a person with a different ethnicity than me in about a month. And I have several more I'd like to read soon. Branching out is important, especially when it comes to understanding other people.
Let's talk! Have you read this book? Do you like superhero novels? What's your most recent read featuring someone of a different race? Tell me in the comments.
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