Sorry, Cap. I have a new favorite superhero, and her name is Squirrel Girl — and she’s ready to meet a legion of new fans in The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, in the first novelized story featuring the beloved Marvel comic book character.
WHO RUNS THE WORLD? SQUIRRELS!
Fourteen-year-old Doreen Green moved from sunny California to the suburbs of New Jersey. She must start at a new school, make new friends, and continue to hide her tail. Yep, Doreen has the powers of . . . a squirrel!
After failing at several attempts to find her new BFF, Doreen feels lonely and trapped, liked a caged animal. Then one day Doreen uses her extraordinary powers to stop a group of troublemakers from causing mischief in the neighborhood, and her whole life changes. Everyone at school is talking about it! Doreen contemplates becoming a full-fledged Super Hero. And thus, Squirrel Girl is born!
She saves cats from trees, keeps the sidewalks clean, and dissuades vandalism. All is well until a real-life Super Villain steps out of the shadows and declares Squirrel Girl his archenemy. Can Doreen balance being a teenager and a Super Hero? Or will she go . . . NUTS?
I can’t say enough good things about this book; it’s perfection and I adored every second of it. But I suppose you need something more than, “Just buy this book & thank me later,” for a proper book review, so let me count just a few of the reasons Squirrel Meets World is worthy of a spot on your bookshelf.
1. A new lady superhero to adore. It’s no secret that the superhero world is lacking in the ladies, but Doreen definitely helps fill that void in a bubbly, unique, and furry way. Doreen is spunky, determined, and wildly optimistic. I love her.
2. Avengers cameos. Appearances and references to beloved Avengers and other more well-known Marvel characters abound within the pages of Squirrel Meets World, and it not only makes the book all the more entertaining (some of the funniest scenes occur thanks to these cameos), but it also helps tie-in Doreen’s story to the broader Marvel Universe.
3. Squirrels. From Doreen’s furry BFF Tippy Toe to a cadre of other squirrel friends, these little critters — whom I’m usually screaming at to stop digging up my flowers and chasing off my husband’s bird feeder — become much more charming and endearing within the pages of Squirrel Meets World. Who knew? Also: three full pages of squirrel names. Trust me. They’re spectacular.
4. Ridiculous and heartfelt, all at once. Doreen is a goofball, and that’s part of what makes her story so charming and entertaining. Many of the situations are just outrageous — and yet, Doreen is so determined and well-meaning, that the end result is a book that just feels genuine. There’s nothing cartoonish about it.
Squirrel Meets World is a nutty story about one determined young woman and her journey towards superhero status, and the friends — both squirrel and human — who help her find her way. This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, so do yourself a favor and take the squirrel-approved flying leap into the pages of Squirrel Meets World. It’s in stores now.
Novel Novice 
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