Status
Available
Call number
Call number
F Rey
Collection
Publication
Marvel Press (2017), 272 pages
Description
Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. "Everyone gets mad at hustlers, especially if you're on the victim side of the hustle. And Miles knew hustling was in his veins." Miles Morales is just your average teenager. Dinner every Sunday with his parents, chilling out playing old-school video games with his best friend, Ganke, crushing on brainy, beautiful poet Alicia. He's even got a scholarship spot at the prestigious Brooklyn Visions Academy. Oh yeah, and he's Spider Man. But lately, Miles's spidey-sense has been on the fritz. When a misunderstanding leads to his suspension from school, Miles begins to question his abilities. After all, his dad and uncle were Brooklyn jack-boys with criminal records. Maybe kids like Miles aren't meant to be superheroes. Maybe Miles should take his dad's advice and focus on saving himself. As Miles tries to get his school life back on track, he can't shake the vivid nightmares that continue to haunt him. Nor can he avoid the relentless buzz of his spidey-sense every day in history class, amidst his teacher's lectures on the historical "benefits" of slavery and the importance of the modern-day prison system. But after his scholarship is threatened, Miles uncovers a chilling plot, one that puts his friends, his neighborhood, and himself at risk. It's time for Miles to suit up.… (more)
Original publication date
2017-08
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User reviews
LibraryThing member oddandbookish
I loved this! Even though it was about a superhero it felt very real. Miles’s situation is one that many people are in and I feel like a lot of people could relate to his story. I also liked how this book touches upon the prison system and the effects it has. Overall, this book is a perfect blend
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of Spidey fun and real world issues. Show Less
LibraryThing member acanuckreader
Received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
I started reading this book because it was Spider-Man. I kept reading this book because it is awesome.
Miles Morales is a good kid. A good superhero. He's got a good heart and is written out in a very human way. He isn't perfect.
A teacher is meant to teach you, and help you become a better person, but some aren't there to do that. Some people are just not meant to teach and this novel shows you how.
This novel also shows you how to stick to what you think is right, and stand up for what you believe in, in the best possible way.
I would recommend this to not only any fans of Spider-Man, and Marvel, but to anyone who wants to read a YA novel filled with a lot of heart. If you want that then this is the book for you.
I started reading this book because it was Spider-Man. I kept reading this book because it is awesome.
Miles Morales is a good kid. A good superhero. He's got a good heart and is written out in a very human way. He isn't perfect.
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He's filled with guilt and teenage angst. He's not infallible which makes him better, more interesting. He is all the best parts of being a teenager, and some of the worst as well, as he fumbles in talking to girls, sometimes doesn't communicate the best with his family and bottles everything up insideA teacher is meant to teach you, and help you become a better person, but some aren't there to do that. Some people are just not meant to teach and this novel shows you how.
This novel also shows you how to stick to what you think is right, and stand up for what you believe in, in the best possible way.
I would recommend this to not only any fans of Spider-Man, and Marvel, but to anyone who wants to read a YA novel filled with a lot of heart. If you want that then this is the book for you.
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LibraryThing member DanieXJ
I've read some of Bendis' stuff about Miles Morales in graphic novel form, but, I didn't know a ton about him or his supporting characters, so this book was a cool intro into the winder world of Miles.
I was also a little concerned because while I've read some good Marvel YA books, I've read some
I shouldn't have been worried though. While this was quite intense in some places, for the most part it was also a fun read.
We have Miles and his BFF and roommate Ganke at the Visions Academy. Something seems to be wrong with Miles' spidey sense. It's causing him much pain in school and even ruining his trying to get to know his classmate Alicia as well.
He does finally figure out why it's doing what it's doing and that drags him into a doozy of an adventure/problem.
He also goes through some stuff with his family as well as school becoming hell for him, or at least one of his classes being hell.
It was a cool book and one thing that I really appreciated was that the story was just the story. And even though it's definitely a YA novel, it's not the super over the top angsty that some YA novels wind up being.
I hope that we get another Miles YA novel in the future (but hopefully the oft promised Captain Marvel one first?? Heh) Novel Miles was awesome!
I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Disney Book Group.
I was also a little concerned because while I've read some good Marvel YA books, I've read some
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duds as well.I shouldn't have been worried though. While this was quite intense in some places, for the most part it was also a fun read.
We have Miles and his BFF and roommate Ganke at the Visions Academy. Something seems to be wrong with Miles' spidey sense. It's causing him much pain in school and even ruining his trying to get to know his classmate Alicia as well.
He does finally figure out why it's doing what it's doing and that drags him into a doozy of an adventure/problem.
He also goes through some stuff with his family as well as school becoming hell for him, or at least one of his classes being hell.
It was a cool book and one thing that I really appreciated was that the story was just the story. And even though it's definitely a YA novel, it's not the super over the top angsty that some YA novels wind up being.
I hope that we get another Miles YA novel in the future (but hopefully the oft promised Captain Marvel one first?? Heh) Novel Miles was awesome!
I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of Disney Book Group.
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LibraryThing member Birdo82
Having an authentic black voice behind Miles lends the character a vantage point often lacking from the comics, and it is almost enough to compensate for the thin plot.
LibraryThing member ShellyPYA
Brooklyn Visions Academy student Miles Morales may not always want to be a super hero, but he must come to terms with his identity--and deal with a villainous teacher--as the new Spider Man.
LibraryThing member acargile
This novel is one of the superhero novels famous YA authors are writing, and it’s a Lone Star 2018 novel.
Miles attends a private school as a work student, but he also has the Spider Man powers. Miles comes from a good family, but money isn’t something they have a lot of. He feels the weight of
Miles has a good support system. Both Ganke, who is his best friend, and his father know that he has his spider abilities. Because Ganke and Miles room together, Ganke knows everything about him, giving Miles a good person to talk to. Ganke also hangs out at Miles’ family home. His family life and his spider life clash as he starts to figure out what is truly going on. Not only are his “senses” off, but he keeps have nightmares about his dead uncle saying, “You’re just like me.” This phrase is not good--his uncle had problems that kept Miles’s father from seeing him. Miles has to figure out what’s going on before he loses everything--his school, his sense of self, and his girl.
Jason Reynolds works wonders with words and phrases. It’s a good book, but I really wanted a book about Spider Man with action scenes, etc. This novel is just about Miles’s life. I think many of you will still enjoy the novel, just don’t expect action scenes--the end is where the action occurs.
Miles attends a private school as a work student, but he also has the Spider Man powers. Miles comes from a good family, but money isn’t something they have a lot of. He feels the weight of
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having to do well to deserve his schooling. Things are weird this year, making stress his companion. He has a history teacher who shouldn’t be teaching, for he obviously doesn’t like any students of color. In fact, he references slavery almost every class period. Miles also likes a girl who’s in this class and his English class, Alicia. Miles’s biggest problem, besides learning to write sijo poems to impress Alicia, is that his spidey sense is messing up. His senses go crazy, so he’ll leave to “rescue” someone, but there isn’t anything happening. To add to this stressful year, he learns about a cousin who’s in jail whom he’s never met. Miles has a good support system. Both Ganke, who is his best friend, and his father know that he has his spider abilities. Because Ganke and Miles room together, Ganke knows everything about him, giving Miles a good person to talk to. Ganke also hangs out at Miles’ family home. His family life and his spider life clash as he starts to figure out what is truly going on. Not only are his “senses” off, but he keeps have nightmares about his dead uncle saying, “You’re just like me.” This phrase is not good--his uncle had problems that kept Miles’s father from seeing him. Miles has to figure out what’s going on before he loses everything--his school, his sense of self, and his girl.
Jason Reynolds works wonders with words and phrases. It’s a good book, but I really wanted a book about Spider Man with action scenes, etc. This novel is just about Miles’s life. I think many of you will still enjoy the novel, just don’t expect action scenes--the end is where the action occurs.
Show Less
LibraryThing member norabelle414
Miles Morales is a typical Brooklyn teenager - black and Puerto Rican, with superpowers bestowed by the bite of a radioactive spider. He studies to keep his scholarship at a fancy private school, has a crush on a girl, and dismantles a centuries-old secret society. All in a day's work.
A great book!
A great book!
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It's not very superhero-y, but I didn't mind at all. It's a really good YA book and reminded me a lot of the latest Spider-Man movie, "Spider-Man: Homecoming" combined with recent popular YA books about the modern experiences of teens of color, like The Hate U Give. Reynolds does a great job of showing that even super powers are not enough break the cycle of poverty and imprisonment in communities of color, because they still exist within a racist society. That racist society is the real antagonist of this book, because it allows villains to take advantage of the system and use disadvantaged populations however they want. It's simply GENIUS and adds an extra interesting layer to a somewhat overexposed superhero. The book is very funny, and fun to read, and Miles is a great main character (and all the other characters are great too.) I hope Reynolds writes more Spider-Man books, and I definitely plan to check out more of his work AND more Marvel YA novels. Highly recommended, especially if you enjoy YA books about racial issues, even if superheroes don't interest you. Show Less
LibraryThing member DarthDeverell
Jason Reynolds’ Miles Morales: Spider-Man is the first solo Miles Morales story written by someone other than character creator Brian Michael Bendis and it easily surpasses expectations. Reynolds grounds his story in Miles’ relationship with his parents and friends, really focusing on their
As much as Miles struggles to balance his personal life with his life as Spider-Man, he struggles far more to live up to the expectations of his parents and his community. Things take a turn as Miles begins clashing with a teacher who seems to have a grudge against him. This same teacher, Mr. Chamberlain, acts as a Southern apologist, arguing in favor of the Confederacy during the Civil War, suggesting that slavery was a net positive for the country, and citing the punishment clause of the Thirteenth Amendment to argue that slavery continues to benefit the United States. This, coupled with Miles’ strange dreams about a cabal of men who secretly negate the hopes of young people like Miles—ensuring that their victims will eventually end up in the prison industrial complex—tap into current events such as the recent clashes over memorials to the treasonous acts of the Civil War South and Ava DuVernay’s documentary, 13th. These dreams offer clues to the climactic battle, which, though Reynolds assures his readers is real, still rings with the weight of allegory and metaphor. As exciting as the battle is, Reynolds’ focus on the world around Miles elevates this novel beyond a basic super hero story.
In focusing on Miles’ relationships and his experience with his community, Reynolds tells a story with which any reader can relate. Miles’ sudden discovery of a cousin, the son of his Uncle Aaron (once the supervillain known as the Prowler), offers a mirror through which Miles can see the effects of a system designed to limit opportunities for people of color or those who lack wealth. This real-world commentary makes this one of the strongest Miles Morales stories, particularly in light of the controversy around 2016’s Spider-Man #2 trying to simultaneously engage with and avoid the issue of race. It also sets a high bar for Bryan Edward Hill, who will pen the first solo Miles Morales comics story in August 2018’s Spider-Man Annual #1. Though Marvel Press intends this young adult novel for grades 7 and up, it should be accessible to readers as young as 10 and as old as the oldest comic book fans.
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role in shaping him as well as the role of his home of Brooklyn (a location that Reynolds focuses on in his other books as well). The recurring themes of family, the long shadows of the past, and the precarious nature of opportunity shape the trajectory of the story.As much as Miles struggles to balance his personal life with his life as Spider-Man, he struggles far more to live up to the expectations of his parents and his community. Things take a turn as Miles begins clashing with a teacher who seems to have a grudge against him. This same teacher, Mr. Chamberlain, acts as a Southern apologist, arguing in favor of the Confederacy during the Civil War, suggesting that slavery was a net positive for the country, and citing the punishment clause of the Thirteenth Amendment to argue that slavery continues to benefit the United States. This, coupled with Miles’ strange dreams about a cabal of men who secretly negate the hopes of young people like Miles—ensuring that their victims will eventually end up in the prison industrial complex—tap into current events such as the recent clashes over memorials to the treasonous acts of the Civil War South and Ava DuVernay’s documentary, 13th. These dreams offer clues to the climactic battle, which, though Reynolds assures his readers is real, still rings with the weight of allegory and metaphor. As exciting as the battle is, Reynolds’ focus on the world around Miles elevates this novel beyond a basic super hero story.
In focusing on Miles’ relationships and his experience with his community, Reynolds tells a story with which any reader can relate. Miles’ sudden discovery of a cousin, the son of his Uncle Aaron (once the supervillain known as the Prowler), offers a mirror through which Miles can see the effects of a system designed to limit opportunities for people of color or those who lack wealth. This real-world commentary makes this one of the strongest Miles Morales stories, particularly in light of the controversy around 2016’s Spider-Man #2 trying to simultaneously engage with and avoid the issue of race. It also sets a high bar for Bryan Edward Hill, who will pen the first solo Miles Morales comics story in August 2018’s Spider-Man Annual #1. Though Marvel Press intends this young adult novel for grades 7 and up, it should be accessible to readers as young as 10 and as old as the oldest comic book fans.
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LibraryThing member bookwren
I read this because it is by Jason Reynolds. His writing is wonderful. That said, I found the novel slow in parts, but it kept me reading for the wonderful parts. Most of the Spider-Man action is toward the end. I liked learning about Miles as a teen - his friendship with Ganke, first love, his
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excellent relationship with his parents. All the main characters were well-developed. I loved the Librarian, Mrs. Tripley, and learned from her, too. I was fascinated by the fact that the expression "knock on wood" came from the belief that when you knocked on a tree you were asking the tree spirits to protect you. Reynolds' descriptions of Miles "flying" as Spider-Man make you feel like you're there. A Spider-Man story for all ages (except perhaps the very young). Show Less
LibraryThing member mjspear
This is the backstory of the Miles Morales Spider-man. Miles is a smart, hardworking Puerto Rican kid going to a magnet school (where he boards with a South Korean funny guy). His parents work hard and long to pay for his education. and infuse his childhood with Puerto Rican culture. Miles
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struggles to keep his "eyes on the prize" and not be like his drug-dealing, now deceased, father. His Spidey-sense has been on the fritz, of late, so Miles decides to give up his Spidey-ways . He focuses on school and via a classmate, Alicia, discovers his softer, poetry-writing side. He has a run-in with a narrow-minded teacher. He receives a letter from a cousin, in jail, he didn't know he had. Miles is used to being the Good Guy and to being able to spot --and fight-- the Bad Guys. What happens when the Bad Guys are not that easy to spot? Miles learns to fight back (without his cape). Those looking for comic book adventure, will be disappointed. Those seeking a look at the urban lifestyle from a unique teen perspective will be rewarded. Show Less
LibraryThing member ecataldi
This is a superhero book, that doesn't focus on the special powers or saving people. Miles is a student at Brooklyn Vision Academy and he's got a lot on his plate; he doesn't have a ton of time for the whole superhero thing. He has to be on his best behavior after getting a suspension, but it's
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getting increasingly harder to do with his dreaded history professor, Mr. Chamberlain. Plus he's got some family issues at home, grades to worry about, a girl to crush on and so much more. He does get the spiderman suit on a few times, but this is more the day to day life of a teenage superhero (think Ms. Marvel - with less action). Racism, growing up poor, family issues, poetry, and making a stand for what you believe in are all prominent themes. The ending wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't awful by any stretch of the imagination. A great book for all teens, not just those who love Marvel Comics. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated as well if that's a selling point for some of you. Show Less
LibraryThing member MickyFine
Miles has just returned to his private school after a suspension and with his Spidey-senses apparently on the fritz he's questioning whether he should even be Spider-Man. His racist history teacher who obviously has it in for Miles isn't helping things either. As Miles grapples with injustice both
A very timely read. Reynolds does a great job of raising issues confronting Miles as a young Black man, while also crafting a compelling superhero narrative. I was a bit underwhelmed by the final showdown between Miles and the villain (it may have felt more epic in graphic format) but the metaphors at play are powerful. Recommended for teens who enjoy superhero narratives but want a more diverse perspective.
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as himself and as Spider-Man, he confronts the challenges of a system that does everything it can to keep him down.A very timely read. Reynolds does a great job of raising issues confronting Miles as a young Black man, while also crafting a compelling superhero narrative. I was a bit underwhelmed by the final showdown between Miles and the villain (it may have felt more epic in graphic format) but the metaphors at play are powerful. Recommended for teens who enjoy superhero narratives but want a more diverse perspective.
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LibraryThing member Briars_Reviews
I came into this book expecting an exciting Spider-Man filled adventure, but I got way more Miles Morales high school student with extra human abilities instead.
I expected so much more from this book, which makes me feel kinda sour. The writing is incredible, Miles Morales is a fun narrator and the
Jason Reynolds is a crazy good writer and made Miles feel like the boy next store. I enjoyed the shenanigans and the story itself. I highly recommend Jason Reynolds as a writer!
Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough plot to keep me interested. Part of me wonders if it's because I'm an adult reading a book that's for a middle grade or YA reader, but at the same time I should still get some fun out of it. It's just unfortunate.
Two out of five stars.
I expected so much more from this book, which makes me feel kinda sour. The writing is incredible, Miles Morales is a fun narrator and the
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cover is WOW. But this was way more just a Miles Morales story than a Spider-Man story. I expected (and wanted) Lots of action, Spidey bad guys and thrilling fight scenes. There were a bit, but not enough to make this feel like a Spider-Man book at all.Jason Reynolds is a crazy good writer and made Miles feel like the boy next store. I enjoyed the shenanigans and the story itself. I highly recommend Jason Reynolds as a writer!
Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough plot to keep me interested. Part of me wonders if it's because I'm an adult reading a book that's for a middle grade or YA reader, but at the same time I should still get some fun out of it. It's just unfortunate.
Two out of five stars.
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LibraryThing member sweetiegherkin
Miles Morales is just your average student, working hard in school, crushing on a girl in his class, and trying to get his parents to understand him. Except Miles isn't average. He's also Spider-Man. But lately, his spidey sense hasn't been working correctly. Is the radioactive spider venom slowly
This is a really interesting book. It isn't an origin story per se as Miles is already Spider-Man at the start of it. We see a lot of familiar faces (such as Ganke, Rio, and Jeff) from other media where Miles appears, but this seems to be its own take and not a continuation of any other particular Miles Morales/Spider-Man story. There are new characters in the various teachers and classmates at Miles's school, including Alicia, the poetry-loving girl that he likes.
While I've had several titles by Jason Reynolds on my to-be-read list for a while, this is the first one I've actually picked up. He is an author that lives up to the hype. His prose here is lyrical with so many beautiful turns of phrases. But he's also colloquial, especially in the dialogue, which makes this book accessible -- particularly for teens who are reluctant readers and/or don't want to read something that feels like schoolwork.
The book is a lot about building the setting so we *feel* Miles's neighborhood and developing characters for interpersonal drama. However, it certainly has plot points that are compelling and build tension as the story progresses. These come to a head in a big fight scene that will appeal to readers who enjoy that part of the stereotypical superhero story.
The book addresses issues of systematic racism, including the school-to-prison pipeline, as an overarching theme. The only thing that I didn't like about this book was how the warden's backstory/powers weren't fully explained. I also would have liked it if Miles could have exposed that villainy in a bigger way for more than just Ganke to see. That being said, I know there is a sequel to this book so it's possible Reynolds left things wrapped up enough but with room to keep exploring this universe he created.
For the audiobook version, Guy Lockhard knocked it out of the park. He was so animated and brought the story to life with the appropriate emotions for each scene. He also had an array of distinct voices for each character. I highly recommend checking out the audiobook!
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wearing off? Is it because he never should have been Spider-Man if both his uncle and his dad have a criminal past? Or, is it because his history teacher is a racist, pro-slavery advocate who targets Black teens in the classroom? Miles has a lot to juggle -- can he and his web shooters handle it all?This is a really interesting book. It isn't an origin story per se as Miles is already Spider-Man at the start of it. We see a lot of familiar faces (such as Ganke, Rio, and Jeff) from other media where Miles appears, but this seems to be its own take and not a continuation of any other particular Miles Morales/Spider-Man story. There are new characters in the various teachers and classmates at Miles's school, including Alicia, the poetry-loving girl that he likes.
While I've had several titles by Jason Reynolds on my to-be-read list for a while, this is the first one I've actually picked up. He is an author that lives up to the hype. His prose here is lyrical with so many beautiful turns of phrases. But he's also colloquial, especially in the dialogue, which makes this book accessible -- particularly for teens who are reluctant readers and/or don't want to read something that feels like schoolwork.
The book is a lot about building the setting so we *feel* Miles's neighborhood and developing characters for interpersonal drama. However, it certainly has plot points that are compelling and build tension as the story progresses. These come to a head in a big fight scene that will appeal to readers who enjoy that part of the stereotypical superhero story.
The book addresses issues of systematic racism, including the school-to-prison pipeline, as an overarching theme. The only thing that I didn't like about this book was how the warden's backstory/powers weren't fully explained. I also would have liked it if Miles could have exposed that villainy in a bigger way for more than just Ganke to see. That being said, I know there is a sequel to this book so it's possible Reynolds left things wrapped up enough but with room to keep exploring this universe he created.
For the audiobook version, Guy Lockhard knocked it out of the park. He was so animated and brought the story to life with the appropriate emotions for each scene. He also had an array of distinct voices for each character. I highly recommend checking out the audiobook!
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Pages
272