Captain Nobody

by Dean Pitchford Narrated by Dean Pitchford

Overview

Newt Newman never thought he could be a hero. Growing up in the shadow of his football-star brother, Chris, Newt has a hard time even getting noticed by his own family. So when Chris is knocked into a coma during the biggest game of the season, as usual Newt becomes lost in the whirlwind of concern for his brother.

To get his mind off the accident, Newt's best friends, JJ and Cecil, dress him up for Halloween in some of Chris's old clothes, and in doing so create an unexpected new identity for Newt-Captain Nobody, defender of the little guy! His new alter ego brings Newt so much confidence that he steps into the role of the hero almost instantly. But when it comes to his brother's recovery, will Captain Nobody come to the rescue in time?

With humor and penetrating insight, Dean Pitchford has crafted a lovably quirky cast of characters for the adventurous and touching story of a most unlikely champion. For anyone who's ever felt like “the little guy,” Captain Nobody is the hero for you!

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Tired of being ignored by classmates, Newt and his two best friends decide to create Halloween costumes that will make them stand out and let them discover their “inner other.... who we would be if we didn't have to be us.” But before Halloween arrives, 10-year-old Newt's world shatters: his football star brother, Chris, is knocked unconscious in the season's final game and lies comatose in the hospital. At the last minute, Newt fashions a superhero Halloween costume from Chris's old clothes and dubs himself Captain Nobody. Wearing this outfit during the ensuing days, Newt ushers home a lost man with dementia, foils a jewelry-store robbery and inadvertently brings traffic to a standstill, clearing the freeway just in time for a plane's emergency landing. Despite his spotlight-grabbing heroics, the frustrated boy laments, “I can't even save my own brother.” Though Pitchford (The Big One-Oh) builds suspense adeptly, the novel takes some improbable turns. Yet the young narrator's earnest voice—and his raw sense of helplessness—are real and affecting. Ages 8–12. (July)

School Library Journal

Gr 3–6—Ten-year-old Newt Newman is used to fading into the background: his parents are workaholics; his brother, Chris, is a high school football star; and he and his best buddies, JJ and Cecil, are ignored at school. Determined to get noticed this Halloween, the three friends vow to come up with original costumes. But then Chris takes a hit and is knocked into a coma during the Big Game. Worried about his brother, and with his parent camped out at the hospital, Newt has no interest in creating a costume. When JJ and Cecil arrive at his house for trick-or-treating, they help him transform an assortment of Chris's outgrown clothes into a get-up for a new superhero: Captain Nobody! Enjoying the newfound confidence he experiences behind his mask, Newt continues to wear the costume, and opportunities start cropping up for him to save the day—whether helping a confused old man find his way home or stopping a jewelry store robbery, Captain Nobody gets the job done. But when it comes to his brother's coma, even Captain Nobody is powerless…or is he? Newt is a likable individual, albeit quite mature for 10. Secondary characters are somewhat stereotypical, but they don't get in the way of the story's fast pace and charm. Pitchford's screenwriting background is apparent: the book reads like a summertime feel-good movie. Kids who have longed for their own superhero powers will eat this up.—Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA

Kirkus Reviews

Ten-year-old Newton Newman's big brother Chris is the town football star, and Newt tends to be forgotten in the glare of the spotlights on his beloved brother. After Chris is badly injured at the most important game of the season, Newt is left to deal with his fear and worry for Chris. He gets by with the help of his best friends JJ (a fantastic fiction fan) and Cecil (a wannabe drummer), who talk him into going trick-or-treating, challenging each to dress as their hero. Out of desperation and a bit of luck, Newt dresses as "Captain Nobody." He decides to wear the outfit all the time and begins to be noticed. After inadvertently foiling a robbery attempt, saving the class ferret and averting an airplane tragedy, Newt is able to hang up the superhero suit. Opening with a cliffhanger, this novel will speak to those kids who feel left out, not part of the "in-crowd." The whole premise is entirely implausible, but the humor and compassion are sure to appeal to reluctant readers. (Fiction. 9-12)

SEPTEMBER 2009 - AudioFile

Author Dean Pitchford is certainly an impressive narrator. With masterful characterization he introduces us to Newt—aka Captain Nobody—a mild-mannered boy who becomes a hometown hero. Pitchford captures the delicious pathos of Newt the underdog. Listeners will hear humor, disgruntlement, and even fidgeting—thanks to skilled vocalizations. Judicious use of pacing and varied volume also contribute to a dramatic reading. Pitchford even throws in sound effects and onomatopoeia. Secondary characters, such as Newt’s friend Cecil, have distinct voices. Pitchford shows us the boy behind the mask in this unexpectedly poignant laugh-out-loud tale. C.A. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169384024
Publisher:	Penguin Random House
Publication date:	07/14/2009
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

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