The Mad Mask (Archvillain Series #2)

by Barry Lyga

Overview

THE MAD MASK is book two in critically acclaimed author Barry Lyga's Archvillain series!Things haven't been going well for Kyle since Mighty Mike became the new town hero. He's pretty sure he could fix this disaster if he could expose Mike's secret (he's an alien), but to do that Kyle would have to admit he is the Azure Avenger -- the unintentional town archvillain.One night a new masked hero, aptly named the Mad Mask, arrives, boasting to the Azure Avenger of an off-the-charts IQ and superior superpowers. Yet the Mad Mask has come seeking intellectual assistance in building Ultitron (the robot of all robots). In exchange he offers to allow the Azure Avenger to use the awesome Ultitron to rid the world, or at least Bouring, of Mighty Mike. Forging alliances isn't usually Kyle's style, but it seems he has no choice. While Kyle agrees to help, he also has another plan: finding out who the Mad Mask is and how he got his powers. Because the last thing the Azure Avenger needs is another mindless archvillain hanging around town!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545454803
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	12/01/2012
Series:	Archvillain Series , #2
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Lexile:	810L (what's this?)
File size:	2 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Barry Lyga is the author of ARCHVILLAIN and THE MAD MASK, the first two novels of Kyle Camden's adventures. He's also the author of several critically acclaimed YA novels including THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FANBOY AND GOTH GIRL, as well as its follow-up, GOTH GIRL RISING; BOY TOY; and HERO-TYPE. Barry lives in Brooklyn, New York. When he's not writing he uses his superpowers to fight crime.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 5–7—Endowed with extraordinary strength and brainpower by a mysterious "space plasma," sixth-grader Kyle (aka the Azure Avenger) continues his efforts to unmask the alien Mighty Mike. As in Archvillain (Scholastic, 2010), superpowered Mike is still the darling of the populace, even though his heroic efforts often have unfortunate consequences. He has taken over Kyle's spot as the most popular kid in Bouring Middle School and is center stage in every class. Still suspicious of Mighty Mike's ultimate plans, Kyle is working on a new device to expose him when he is contacted by yet another would-be archvillain. Calling himself the Mad Mask, the newcomer claims to have been disfigured by the same cosmic event that brought Mighty Mike to Earth and gave Kyle his enhanced abilities. He needs Kyle's help to finish his Ultitron robot and promises assistance against Mighty Mike in return. At first Kyle is delighted to have another superfriend in the mix. However, he begins to notice that his new ally has a rather cruel streak and is decidedly unreliable in crisis situations. Is the Mad Mask really all he seems? Readers familiar with the first adventure will find that Kyle shows considerable character growth in this installment. While he is still not above manipulating others for his own benefit, his experience with the Mad Mask's truly malicious plotting shows him the limits of cynicism and selfishness-perhaps moving him closer to being a genuine superhero. Filled with mock heroic dialogue and sly jabs at popular superhero conventions, this book will be welcomed by adventure fans.—Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

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