Review: Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex by Carole P. Roman

Heartfelt and uniquely heroic, Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex by Carole P. Roman is an electrifying opening chapter to a new superhero series. An average kid lands an impossible spot at the most exclusive high school in the world, and must overcome his own self-doubt, recognize his powers, and seize his birthright.

Fueled by the same YA fervor as Harry Potter, this superhuman high school series deals with the supernatural and superhuman, but also explores the deeply relatable issues of growing up feeling different. Regularly challenging the boundary between reality and fantasy, from the prologue onwards, this is the type of fictional adventure that readers can get lost in by relinquishing their nagging sense of disbelief.

Aarush, Grady, Pari, Lydia, and her brother feel reminiscent of other powerful YA fellowships, while Grady’s relationship with Aarush is by far the most enlightening and charming connection of the book. This Spock-like best friend is constantly teaching Grady about patience, bravery, acceptance, and true heroism, like so many other sidekicks in comic book lore.

The inclusion of relevant issues like autism, bullying, nontraditional families, and special abilities gives this book real heart; it can take time to recognize the inherent value or power of some people, but that doesn’t make them any less important. The underdog theme is ever-present in this narrative, whether it is conquering the fear of a legendary bully or finding your calling later than your peers. Grady embodies many insecurities and struggles of young readers, and Roman achieves this without making him a pitiable character.

Many of Grady’s understated or offhand lines hum with import, even when they’re buried in the midst of seemingly innocuous conversations: “Having confidence in yourself is half the problem.” Uncle Leo, despite being opposed to Grady’s attendance at Templeton, is integral to his journey, and has similar moments of relatable wisdom peppered throughout his scenes: “It’s time your life isn’t trapped in other people’s trajectories.” The narrative voice regularly breaks the fourth wall with readers, as though Grady knows that his journey into superhero stardom is being witnessed. At times, it seems that the protagonist is casually recounting a story and already knows the “good parts” before they happen.

On a technical level, some of the scenes are difficult to visualize, as the narration moves quickly through fantastical scenes that take a moment for the imagination to summon. Additionally, some readers may find the origin story of Grady a bit derivative – an orphan raised for a time by grandparents, and then an unreliable, disbelieving uncle. There are also occasional slips in editing (“in” rather than “is,” etc.), which could be addressed by a fine-tooth proofread, but these moments are infrequent.

All told, this is a charming introduction to a fresh-faced cast of literary superheroes, with enough original twists to separate it from the increasingly crowded genre of supercharged middle grade fiction.