Biographical Note:
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Jamar Nicholas is an award-winning artist and educator who has dedicated his career to helping young people realize the power of cartooning. Jamar aims to promote anti-bullying, healing, and kindness in his work. He enjoys the 1980s, podcasting, video games, and spending time with his family and pets.
Review Quotes:
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"This action-packed graphic novel is inclusive, relatable, and heartwarming... Both protagonists experience personal growth and discover strategies to become their best selves. The illustrations vividly capture the adventures and tone of each scene." -- School Library Journal
"An appealing blend of action and personal growth that will set readers up to anticipate the next series entry." -- Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Leon the Extraordinary:
"Leon is a superhero whose powers are kindness and common sense. It's a really good book about a really good kid!" -- Jerry Craft, author and illustrator of New Kid
"A heartfelt and hilarious hero's journey. LEON is super!" -- Lincoln Peirce, author and illustrator of Big Nate
★ "Nicholas's innovative tale, brimming with fully fleshed out characters and bombastic battle sequences, is one to revisit again and again." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This is a silly and fun-filled story with a heartwarming throughline about not needing special abilities to have an impact on one's community... A solid, action-filled comedy with a crucial message." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Jamar Nicholas delivers an engaging story about finding your own power... an uplifting read." -- Book Riot
"It's a refreshing change of pace to have a kid hero who's Black at the center of the story. Supersize panels with bold coloring truly make the stylized character designs pop and the action sequences come to life with plenty of classic superhero action. The various body types and skin tones represented in the artwork underscore the narrative that anyone can be a hero." -- Booklist
"Nicholas crafts a heartfelt story highlighting the power of doing the right thing and the strength of mothers... The range of diverse characters and relatable situations, such as bullying, jealousy, and personal growth, will provide readers with recognizable characters and feelings... Belonging on library shelves, this book will leave readers wanting more from Leon and his crew." -- School Library Journal
"Hand this to your graphic novel loving readers who need to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, or who just want a fun, well-written, well-drawn superheroes vs. villains story. The text also celebrates a young Black main character, the love of a mother, the strength of community, and the friends surrounding Leon every day." -- School Library Connection
Publisher Marketing:
Leon struggles with a super ego -- and a super secret! -- in the second graphic novel in Jamar Nicholas's action-packed, heartfelt, and joyously funny series.
After saving his classmates from The Monocle, and now that he has access to tons of cool crime-fighting gadgets, Leon is the superhero his school needs. Or at least... he thinks he is. Leon's vigil-antics make Mom and Principal Principle angry, but even worse, they cause a conflict with his best friend, Carlos, who starts to draw mean comics about Leon. Meanwhile, Leon struggles to keep his mom's superhero identity a secret.
Can Leon dig deep and rediscover his heart and common sense? Or will his bad behavior reach a point of no return?