Almost Super summary

The Bailey Family's Superpowers

In Almost Super by Marion Jensen, we are introduced to the Bailey family, a family of superheroes. Each member of the family, upon turning twelve, is gifted with a superpower. The protagonist, Rafter Bailey, and his little brother Benny are eagerly awaiting their twelfth birthdays, hoping for powerful abilities that will help them join the ranks of their family's superheroes. However, when the big day arrives, things don't go as planned.

Rather than receiving impressive superpowers, Rafter and Benny are given seemingly useless abilities. Rafter can light matches on polyester, and Benny can turn his belly button inside out. Disheartened, the brothers are now considered part of the "League of Almost Superheroes," a group of underwhelming powered individuals.

The League of Almost Superheroes

As part of the League, Rafter and Benny befriend fellow members, each with their own equally ridiculous superpowers. The group includes Juanita Johnson, Rafter's arch-nemesis from school, who can create a high-pitched sound that shatters glass, and Violet, a girl who can levitate two inches off the ground. Together, the group decides to make the most of their abilities and to prove themselves as superheroes.

However, their first attempts at heroism end in disaster. Rafter accidentally sets the mayor's car on fire, and Benny's attempt to save a cat from a tree results in the cat escaping and Benny getting stuck himself. Their failures attract the attention of the Johnson family, their arch-enemies, who are a family of supervillains. The Baileys learn that the Johnsons have been behind their family's powers all along.

The Truth Behind the Superpowers

The Johnsons reveal that the Baileys' powers were intentionally sabotaged by their ancestors, who were convinced that the world needed more superheroes. As a result, the Baileys have been given useless powers for generations, while the Johnsons have been blessed with powerful abilities. The Johnsons propose a competition to decide which family will get to keep their powers, and the Baileys accept the challenge.

The competition includes various tasks, such as a race through a maze and a game of dodgeball. Despite their seemingly useless powers, the Baileys and their friends manage to outsmart and outplay the Johnsons in every challenge, thanks to their creativity and teamwork. As the competition progresses, the Baileys start to realize that their powers might not be as useless as they initially thought.

Embracing Their Unique Abilities

In the final challenge, a battle between the two families, Rafter and Benny come up with a clever plan that combines their unique powers to defeat the Johnsons. Rafter lights matches on a polyester costume, creating a smokescreen, and Benny uses his belly button to distract the Johnsons. The Baileys emerge victorious and prove that they are indeed superheroes, regardless of their seemingly useless powers.

In the end, the Baileys and the Johnsons make a truce, and the Baileys decide to embrace their unique abilities. They realize that their powers, no matter how insignificant they may seem, can be useful in unexpected ways. The book concludes with the Baileys and their friends, now proud members of the League of Almost Superheroes, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.