Nikki Powergloves- A Hero is Born by David Estes ★★★☆☆

Even heroes make mistakes.

Fiction – Juvenile – Urban Fantasy

170 pages

Ages 7-10

Publication Date:  2012 

Nikki Powergloves #1

Nine-year-old Nikki Nickerson’s boring summer turns into the adventure of a lifetime when she is given gloves of power.  With her trusty dog, Mr. Miyagi, and best friend Spencer, she has to figure out to become a superhero in order to stop her very own villain, Jimmy.

This is the kind of adventure all kids dream about (okay probably not all kids, but they should).  Mr. Estes breezy writing sets the stage for fun escapes with Nikki from page one.  Nikki is imaginative, teachable, and could be a real nine-year-old kid.  She makes mistakes while getting a handle on her powers which leads to consequences that affect others, but she does take responsibility for them and tries to fix them.  I see this as the big difference between her and the villain Jimmy.  Life lesson for everyone to learn no matter their age.  Though Mr. Estes doesn’t leave Jimmy as a flat character; he provides the reader some understanding of how Jimmy came to be.  Mr. Estes also shows that even our best intentions can be misconstrued by others.

I loved the chapter titles and think Mr. Miyagi is the best dog’s name ever!  I really like Spencer – everyone needs a best friend that fits them – and everything he added to Nikki’s journey.  Also, this book is completely age appropriate – something as a mother I cherish.