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 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.

Pros:

~ MILES
~ MILESSSSS
~ In case you couldn’t tell, Miles
~ Also Austin. what a GOOD PLOTLINE OMG I wanted more. Make that a con. More
time with Austin and Miles
~ The writing is so good and readable even when it’s boring omg
~ Alicia existed (not all that much on page but she did)
~ Okay so Ms. Blaufuss was apparently Jason Reynolds’s actual English teacher
and if THAT DOESN’T MAKE YOU JUST GET A LITTLE TEARY
~ BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
~ ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Cons:

~ The pacing meandered sometimes
~ The humor could be very ... male
~ NoMoreGrossOutHumor2017
~ Alicia could’ve been fleshed a teeny bit more and given more of a role
~ We need more Alicia!!!
~ You thought I forgot about Austin?? Well I DIDN’T
~ *chanting* MORE AUSTIN
~ It ended, tbh

#PROTECTMILESMORALES2017

Hands up if you’re part of the Miles Morales Protection Squad. Hands up? Everybody’s hands up? GOOD. It’s a pact, right here, right now. YA BETTER PROTECT MILES MORALES WITH EVERY FIBER OF YOUR BEING.

What a good boy. What a precious boy!!! Half-black, half-Puerto Rican, Miles is a Brooklyn kid at heart who juggles attending a prestigious school on scholarship and being the one and only (in my comic and movie-ignorant heart) Spider-Man. This boy is the best!!! The best boy!!!!

He doesn’t have much but he kisses his mother on the cheek and uses his money to buy her dinner and flowers. (WHAT A GOOD BOY) He works so hard. He takes punishments and even after they’re over, sees them through. He tries to be good and do good even though he thinks he can’t or isn’t. He looks out for his friends, and especially his family, and he’s just. a. good. boy.

See, the thing is, I am not a superhero fan. I’ve never seen the Avengers. If pressed, I like DC much more than Marvel, and honestly, if it weren’t for Miles himself and Jason Reynolds’s name attached, I never would have wished for this on NetGalley. That’s the thing about this book: for me, it balanced out much more to the heart and realism side of Miles than the superhero.

That might be something others take issue with; there’s less fighting crime and more day-to-day life. Don’t get me wrong, Miles is pretty damn kickass, but the majority of this book addresses Miles’s internal and external struggles, from asking out the girl he likes, to the risk of losing his scholarship, to the blatant racism he faces on a daily basis from one of his teachers. Jason Reynolds, in my opinion, balances all of these subjects extremely well and with real grace. He writes funny conversations and emotional heart-to-hearts (spilling the salsa was the cutest thing), but if you came here for on-page action all day, all the time, you’ll probably be disappointed.

Pretty much everything about this book was handled impeccably. My biggest complaint was that the story ran slow and some scenes tended to blur together. But the subjects are powerful and wow, the way the racist villainy was written was amazing. Full of finesse, impact, and infuriating realism, you are devastated for Miles, Austin, the students of the high school . . . hell, students everywhere, but you have to commend the writing. This book, especially for a book about freaking superheroes, has not only compelling words but resonance, heart, and heartbreak.

If you like Spider-Man, or are into all these new superhero book adaptions coming out, definitely give this one a go. Seriously, if you read any of them, it’d better be this one... or I’ll know. (I’ll know.) Even if you’re not interested in superhero books, like me, give Miles a chance!!

For a more in-depth review watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAB11...

I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miles Morales life has become very difficult. Miles is dealing with his family's financial issues, issues at his boarding school, and he just happens to be Spiderman. Now Miles has to decide if he will relive his family's past mistakes or live his own life.

This book was surprising. Reynolds wrote a surprisingly realistic story about a teen trying to figure his place in the world who just happens to have super powers. This is an interesting take on the Spiderman story that will engage readers new to the franchise.

***Additionally, I included this book in a presentation at the Ohio Library Council Conference about must read books for young teens.***

The best superpower is fantastic storytelling. I highly recommend Miles Morales by Jason Reynolds.

This is everything that I want a super hero story to be. Adventurous, mysterious, full of the conflict of good vs evil, and also unafraid to delve into the reality of our world. This book took the story of Spider Man and melded it with the societal and racial tensions of today's world and created a nuanced look at what it is you can be when everyone has a certain expectation of what your options are.

Miles Morales is a sko-low scholarship kid at BVA, a private school. Recently he's had some trouble and even got suspended for skipping out on class. Of course, he said he had to go the bathroom, but he was really out trying to figure out what was setting off his spidey-sense. It's been buzzing more and more in Mr. Chamberlain's class and Miles doesn't know what exactly is setting it off. As he struggles with whether or not he even wants the great responsibility that comes with his power, he is also reeling from the death of his uncle and this discovery of an unknown cousin who is in jail. Miles knows that either ending could easily be what happens to him. And he doesn't know how to stop it, especially since no matter how hard he tries, it still seems like trouble is following him.

Highly recommend. This book is great for fans of Marvel and super hero stories. It is also wonderful for students who want to read about societal conflicts and tensions. Appropriate for grades 7 and up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for providing an advance copy for review. All opinions are my own.

I really wanted to like this book as a big fan of Jason Reynolds' other books, but this one fell flat for me. I struggled to finish it.

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. 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 inside

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.

This book is phenomenal. Not only do we get an awesome hero but we get an amazing person trying to find their place in the world. I can't wait for this book to be released so I can suggest it to everyone.

I do not gravitate naturally towards superhero books, but oh my gosh, I loved the depth and layers Jason Reynolds infused into Miles Morales: A Spider-Man Novel. Reynolds utilises evils such as racism, microaggression, poverty, unjust incarceration and gentrification as the motivating factors of Miles'' enemies. I loved depth of the characters from smart, poetic Alicia to sweet, hilarious Ganke and Miles' parents. I think this book will be an excellent first purchase for YA collection.

I really do like Jason Reynolds and the writing he does. I think that was the saving grace of this book. Unfortunately for me, this book just didn't totally work out for me. I was excited to give it a try because of this author, but Spider Man is always a tough one for me. I think MIles Morales is a fresh take, but still a struggle for me for some reason. I can definitely see where others will love this and I hope my not so stellar experience does not make anyone less enthused to pick it up. A diverse Super Hero book! It's pretty exciting!

At this point, I don't think it's possible for Jason Reynolds to disappoint me. So, obviously I loved this. I personally don't think there is a writer out there right now who writes characters better than Jason. He's phenomenal at it.

I have only read volume 1 of the Miles Morales comics, and it was a while ago that I read it, so I'm not super familiar with the character. This didn't stop me from falling for him in this book. Miles has the struggles of a poor black/hispanic kid on top of being a superhero ON TOP of trying to succeed at a fancy science school. Jason did an excellent job of fleshing out how Miles deals with this, and the struggle he goes through. Also, how much he loves his parents, and his best friend. It's just really good, okay? Plus, the villain was hella scary. I mean, legit. I now HAVE to go read all the Miles comics because Jason Reynolds made me fall in love with him!

COYER Summer Vacation
Reynolds delves deep into the world of Miles home life in this great read. This is not an action packed read, but its a page turner about striving for more in life and the forces that stand in our way. I was surprised at the main foe in this story, its not a simple evil, its more like a way of thought, made concrete .

So perfect for my graphic novel collection. Representation matters! :)

I entered into the world of Jason Reynold's Miles Morales (I understand they are based on other comics) without any background about the character or story other than a general understanding of the Peter Parker Spiderman story. The writing was solid. Good middle grade, but I didn't really feel that it was Young Adult, as advertised. This is not a bad thing, as I think this is a great book for a wide swath of young readers without delving into the very heavy (and heavy petting) world of YA. However, I felt that I wanted/needed a bit more about the origin story. It's in there, but how does this relate to the Peter Parker canon and how did he figure out the powers, etc. Overall, a pick for me and would recommend to children as young as 10 or 12 easily (which I cannot say for much YA). I would absolutely pick up more books that take place in this world as well as other books by this author.

I received an advanced copy of this book through the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!

This novel was a revelation, from the black superhero on the cover that drew me in, to the epic world-building with historical elements to illustrate systemic oppression, everyone should read this!

Wooooooow, with the surplus of superhero movies out lately, I'm glad books are following. Because if this is any indication, they're bound to be as amazing as the movies! Reynolds has outdone himself with this novel!

Continuing in the Spider Man series, Jason Reynolds presents a new chapter in Miles Morales's story. Miles's spidey sense is on the blink and he is getting into serious trouble everywhere he turns. Will Miles become a criminal like his Uncle Aaron, or is there something more going on?

This novel adds a deeper layer to the spider-man story, by integrating historical issues alongside villains. It is action-packed for any great superhero lover and offers a deeper substance for those who do not typically read superhero books.

Love this book!! I am definitely buying this book for my library. In fact, because I was able to read the ARC, I have already had students request to read this. Super excited!

Over the past year or so, Marvel has made it a point to put out young adult novels centered on some of their biggest heroes – Black Widow, Squirrel Girl, and soon Captain Marvel – and while I’ve enjoyed those books, Miles Morales is something else. It’s not just a great read, it feels like so much more.
This isn’t merely a novel adaption of a Mile Morales comic book. It’s a story with so much to tell; with so much heart inside of its pages. And it finishes on what is easily the best and biggest closer I’ve read in a young adult novel in quite some time. Reynolds took a superhero story and made it so much more than just another story about a web-slinger.
Ever since his Marvel Comics debut in 2011, Miles Morales has quickly become just as notable as his predecessor, Peter Parker. So much so that fans campaigned for the character to take on the moniker in the next Spider-Man film. While we won’t get the chance to see that anytime soon, we can at least appreciate that Marvel has begun to branch out with the character, taking him from characters to the small screen and now young adult novels. While the Black Widow novels have seen their fair share of criticism of Natasha not truly being the lead in those stories, the publishing giant’s latest efforts have done an excellent job at showcasing these young heroes and the difficulties they experience along their journey to heroism. Miles Morales fits into the category of the latter.
We do get to see the web-slinger be heroic and go on adventures as Spider-Man throughout the novel, but this book is very much about Miles and his struggles to retain a normal life while trying to do good with his powers. Along the way the book touches on topics such as racism and profiling, topics that are sadly still far too relevant in our society today. Thankfully, though, the story doesn’t just casually brush upon those topics. It full on tackles them with one of the most powerful closing scenes I’ve read in a book lately.
All in all: If you like Miles Morales, this book is for you. If you’re not familiar with Miles? This book is still well worth picking up.
If there isn’t a sequel, I’ll be incredibly disappointed because I’m already eager to go on an adventure with these characters again.

Although I am a Marvel fan, I am not acquainted with Miles Morales. It was a pleasure to be introduced by Jason Reynolds.

More than a super-hero book, this is the story of a sixteen-year-old navigating the complex world of adolescence. The weight of his father's and uncle's past underlies much of Miles' thinking and action. His father's wisdom and practical real-world council help guide his choices. Ganke, his best friend and roommate is hysterical. Dispensing teenage advise on love, schoolwork and earning money, he keeps Miles' character rooted in the reality of their teenage world. The story has a creepy villain and just enough action scenes and fantasy to keep you in the comic-book world. Spider-Man heroics were used with restraint, which was appropriate considering Miles' inner conflict about his role.

I look forward to reading more Miles Morales!