The Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy, Book 1: The Hero Revealed



Last updated Monday, June 9, 2008

Author: William Boniface
Illustrator: Stephen Gilpin
Date of Publication: 2006
ISBN: 0060774649
Grade Level: 5th    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2008

Synopsis: Ordinary Boy is the only resident of Superopolis, a city of heroes, who doesn't have superpowers. He is part of the Junior Leaguers team that includes Halogen Boy, whose glowing ability depends on his consumption of apple juice; Plasma Girl, who can transform into a jellylike substance; and Stench, notable for passing overpowering gas. Ordinary Boy's personal hero is the Amazing Indestructo, the self-proclaimed greatest hero of Superopolis, who is the leader of the League of Ultimate Goodness. When the Junior Leaguers get the opportunity to help the Amazing Indestructo foil the sinister plans of villainous Professor Brain-Drain, Ordinary Boy realizes that even without superpowers, he can still do extraordinary things. Ordinary Boy's narrative is interspersed with pages from the Li'l Heroes Handbook, offering brief profiles on characters and places in the story. Fast-paced and silly, this first title in the Extraordinary Adventures of Ordinary Boy series will appeal to fans of Captain Underpants in search of new adventures.

Note to readers:
•  Try to read up to Chapters 5 or 6.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Who do you think the story is about?
•  Do you think the boy on the cover has super powers? (see the back cover)
•  Do you think that is the villain?
•  What makes someone a hero and someone a villain?
•  Can you say who is who by just looking at them?

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  What kind of superpower would you like to have? What would your superhero name be?
•  If you lived in a world of super people and did not have a super power, how would that make you feel?
•  What’s the difference between a superhero and a super villain?
•  Who is your favorite super hero? Why?
•  Who do you think is on the missing card?
•  Will OB and his friends be able to find the missing card?

Craft ideas:
•  Make your own entry in the Li’l Hero handbook with your super hero name and powers (follow template in the book).
•  Design the logo and costume for your superhero
•  Make a superhero costume–a mask for the face, a belt wristbands or headband.

Special activities:
•  Super hero game

1. Cut two sheets of construction paper into quarters (8 cards)

2. Write “PERSON” on three cards, “POWER/WEAPON” on three cards, and “PLACE” on two cards.

3. On the back, draw a superhero/villain/person on the PERSON cards, a power or weapon on the POWER/WEAPON cards, and a location on the PLACE cards. You can draw different things on each.

4. Combine everyone’s PERSON cards, POWER cards, and PLACE cards. There should be three decks with everyone’s cards.

The SUPER game: Make a story as you choose cards!

Example:

•  Choose a PLACE card: Billabong is under attack!
•  Choose a PERSON card: Shinkoku the Silliness is attacking Billabong!
•  Choose a POWER/WEAPON card: She is using the conch shell of darkness to cover billabong with darkness!
•  Choose another PERSON card: Detora the Devious is here to help!
•  Choose another POWER card: She uses the calculator to save the world!

Reshuffle the cards and go around the room so that each child gets to make up a story!


*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!