Black

Håkon Øvreås author Kari Dickson translator Øyvind Torseter illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Enchanted Lion Books

Published:11th May '23

£11.99

Available to order, but very limited on stock - if we have issues obtaining a copy, we will let you know.

Black cover

  • Cover reveal on social media. Instagram and newsletter promotion to Enchanted Lion’s significant social media following (40k on Instagram, 10k newsletter list).
  • Advance review mailing to PW, Kirkus, SLJ, NYT, WSJ, etc.
  • IG Live or blog interview with author & illustrator, focused on answering questions from 8-12 year olds.
  • Outreach to bloggers and reviewers with middle grade focus, translation focus.
  • Special interest: imagined superheroes, preteen friendship, playful mysteries.
  • Promotion focused on network of independent bookstores (special mailing + outreach).

Jack’s plan to impress the new girl in town goes hilariously wrong in this companion novel to Batchelder-winning Brown, illustrated by outstanding Norwegian cartoonist Øyvind Torseter.

The trio of friends from Batchelder-winnning Brown is back, this time following the adventures of Jack. When a new girl moves to town, Jack is determined to impress and befriend her. The only problem? Her mom’s supposedly a famous singer, and she’ll only stick around if she can find some celebrity friends. So Jack hatches a plan to land himself in the newspaper: he’s going to rescue the chairman’s prize-winning hen. Of course, that means he has to “borrow” it first. But when the “borrowed” hen then goes missing, Jack finds himself in some serious trouble. He’s going to need some superhero help to find the missing hen and set things right.

Enter Black Jack’s superhero alter ego—to the rescue! Along with his faithful companions Brown and Blue, of course. While Brown and Blue might not completely understand what has happened or why they’re involved, neither does Jack, really. But they’re ready for action and raring to go! An endearing and playful middle grade book about friendship, fame, and fun.

The second book in Håkon Øvreås' award-winning My Alter Ego Is A Superhero trilogy, Black can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. Black is illustrated throughout by one of Norway’s greatest cartoonist, Øyvind Torseter.

“Øvreås follows up his Batchelder Award–winning Brown (2019), originally published in Norway, with a similarly poker-faced middle volume. More proof that Wimpy Kid–style hijinks are just as droll in translation.” Kirkus Reviews

ISBN: 9781592702756

Dimensions: 185mm x 136mm x 22mm

Weight: 440g

200 pages