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Awards & Honours
A Resource Links Year’s Best of 2013
I haven’t laughed so hard since I read Vicki Grant’s books! Nothing Man and the Purple Zero by Richard Scarsbrook is larger-than-life and imaginative, but at its heart it carries an important message for teens: that anyone can be a hero. I loved it because in Scarsbrook’s book, being a superhero is all a matter of perspective. In reality, Bill and Marty stopping the bank robbers in their tracks was the result of a series of very fortunate coincidences, but in the video created by Elizabeth, it appears as though they both have super powers. Scarsbrook pulls off humour and heart in a story that is well-paced with a satisfying ending. After some of the books I’ve been reading it was quite refreshing that Bill and Elizabeth were great role models for a positive romantic relationship.
— Amy Mathers
of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre,
for Amy’s Marathon of Books (June 2014)
Richard Scarsbrook has written an amusing, fast-paced novel for teens. He pokes fun at harsh and unforgiving high school life, with its emphasis on athletics and the ever-present bullying factor … Each of (the) characters is a unique individual with interesting perspectives. Scarsbrook does not shy away from difficult topics such as drugs, bullying and sexuality … he also uses the plays of William Shakespeare … (and) amusing references to history and pop culture such as Star Trek, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Andy Griffith Show. Teenage readers will definitely enjoy this amusing novel, which pokes fun at high school life while revealing what is really important in life!
— Resource Links Magazine
(January 2014)
CanLit liked this book a lot. Our review staff are former teachers/teacher librarians and recognize the fact that this book would certainly appeal to a large group of students. Thank you Richard Scarsbrook for the great read!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
— CanLit, Books for Kids and Teens
(Winter 2013 – 2014)
Three new superehroes are exactly what’s needed to trigger a time full of shift, acceptance, and heroism. This unusual novel pulls togther a series of thematic topics and puts a small-town, undeniably Canadian spin on them … plenty of humorous moments an choice bits of dialogue … (suggests) that, though greatness is thrust upon some, everyone is capable of it.
RECOMMENDED
— Canadian Children’s Book News
(Winter 2014)