"Author Anna Humphrey has done a wonderful job of telling a story that many children will be able to identify with: things happen that we have no control over and we need to learn how to cope. This book is sprinkled with adorable illustrations that depict Clara's comic strip and how she sees the world around her. This book will help students know they are not alone in how they feel and what they are dealing with. Recommended."
—School Library Connection
"Humphrey succeeds in establishing a likable heroine, a spunky comic book fan with a wild imagination... A solid start to a new series. Clara Humble proves she doesn't need superpowers to win over young readers."
—School Library Journal
"Subtly thought-provoking... Humphrey - and Clara - have staked out their own comic territory."
—Quill & Quire
"A good antidote to the feeling most kids (and adults!) will find familiar: that the world is out of their control... A promising beginning to a new series about a spirited character who is discovering her real strengths."
—Kirkus Reviews
“Spunky Clara Humble and her clever cartoon drawings about her feline heroine @Cat are bound to delight kids who love a school story filled with mischief, mystery and real-life problems. Kids who have graduated from the Just Grace series and are looking for more will love following Clara’s misadventures as she battles her nemesis, Bossy Becky, and deals with all kinds of challenges in her life. Can’t wait for book two!”
— Phyllis Simon, Vancouver Kidsbooks
“You'll love Clara Humble. She has a vibrant imagination, a wild spirit, and a tender heart. Fans of the Ramona Quimby books and Ivy and Bean series will delight in Clara's passionate yet hare-brained plans to save her school from the mean kids, to stop her best friend from moving away, and to bring super hero-style justice to her elementary school.”
— Erica Nikolaus, Words Worth Books
"Ramona Quimby meets Timmy Failure."
— Lindsey Ferrante, Collection Development, Baker & Taylor
"Clever and creative—this book has the perfect mix of 'comic' relief and expert storytelling that tugs on all the right heart strings."
— Arthur Slade, author, The Hunchback Assignments series
“You’re going to fall in love with Clara’s zest and energy and amazingly fun approach to life. Add a memorable story to a memorable character, and you have the perfect ingredients for a wonderful read.”
— Sigmund Brouwer, author, Justine McKeen series and Seven series contributor
“Whether defending her school from bitter rivals or scheming up ways to keep her friends happy, I couldn’t help rooting for Clara. Her imagination, adventurous spirit, and all-around charm drew me right in.”
— Kristen Ciccarelli, bookseller for Words Worth Books
“Spirited and imaginative, Clara Humble’s true superpowers are found in her creative ability, the love and support of her family and friends, and her everlasting determination to right the wrongs of her fourth-grader life. Her memorable comic adventures show true heart.”
— Amy Mathers, Amy’s Marathon of Books
10/01/2016
Gr 3–5—Gledhill Elementary School student Clara Humble is convinced she has superpowers; unfortunately, these capabilities, ranging from the ability to spill liquids to being able to wake up every morning at exactly 7:14 a.m. without an alarm clock, are not exactly extraordinary. When Clara's favorite neighbor Momo plans to move to a retirement home and the students from a rival school that has been temporarily closed because of mold start attending Gledhill, the title character and her friend Bradley devise a plan to use Clara's supposed newfound powers to try to stop both from happening. Humphrey succeeds in establishing a likable heroine, a spunky comic book fan with a wild imagination. Cinar's comical drawings featuring @Cat, a superhero created by Clara, work well with the book's motif. Some children may be disappointed to learn that Clara doesn't really have any superpowers, but most will appreciate the story's humor and fast-paced writing, both of which make this an appealing choice for reluctant readers. Although Clara doesn't achieve either of her goals by the end of the novel (Momo is still moving, and the rival students remain at Gledhill), she does learn that true heroism comes from good deeds rather than special abilities. VERDICT A solid start to a new series. Clara Humble proves she doesn't need superpowers to win over young readers.—Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY
2016-07-02
Clara's superpowers include being able to spill things, communicate telepathically with her chinchilla, and wake up at 7:14 every morning, but will they be enough to stop her life from being ruined?When the track team from a rival school causes mayhem at a meet, Clara and her teammates are angry. When the rival school discovers mold in its walls and the students must join them at Gledhill Elementary, they're even angrier. To make matters worse, Clara discovers that her neighbor and best friend, Momo, is moving to a retirement community. Luckily, Clara has the solution. She and her other best friend, Bradley, get to work strengthening Clara's superpowers in order to drive their rivals from their school and keep Momo's house from being sold. But is it working? Humphrey introduces a new series with an energetic romp through the trials and tribulations of this 9-year-old and her friends. (Clara seems to depict herself and Bradley as white in her pictures; ethnicity is indicated with surnames.) Her characters are funny and flawed and a good antidote to the feeling most kids (and adults!) will find familiar: that the world is out of their control. Illustrations of Clara's comic-book alter ego, @Cat, give the book an extra entertaining element. A promising beginning to a new series about a spirited character who is discovering her real strengths. (Fiction. 7-11)
