Superhero Smart: Real-World Facts behind Comic Book Characters Paul Volponi 9781538167847

A fascinating exploration of the science, history, literature, and culture behind comic book superheroes' powers and origins.

How does Superman's strength allow him to squeeze a chunk of coal into a diamond? What's the connection between Wonder Woman's golden Lasso of Truth and a lie detector? Why does the Black Panther speak so many different languages? What does Natasha Romanova, a.k.a. Black Widow, teach us about the Cold War?

All this and more is explored in Superhero Smart: Real-World Facts Behind Comic Book Characters, written by award-winning author Paul Volponi. In a fast-paced, free-flowing narrative, Volponi reveals that there is so much more to spandex-clad superheroes than meets the eye. To truly understand their origins and powers, one must also understand science, history, literature, and the incredible diversity of people and cultures around us.

The exploits and powers of almost every comic book superhero or villain have a basis in reality, opening the door to learning about so many things from the past and present. And in learning more about these heroes and our world, we can help prepare for and create a better future, just as superheroes strive to do every day in the pages of our comic books.

Paul Volponi is an author, journalist and educator. His twelve novels for young adults have been the recipients of a dozen American Library Association honors and his novel Black and White was a winner of the International Reading Association Children's Book Award. Volponi is also the author of three nonfiction books for young adults: That's My Team: The History, Science, and Fun Behind Sports Teams' Names; Streetball is Life: Lessons Earned on the Asphalt; and The Great G.O.A.T. Debate: The Best of the Best in Everything from Sports to Science. He lives in Flushing, NY.