I don’t see too many kids today reading comic books, or books in general. It’s such a pity because so many interesting writers, books, series and comics have come up since I was a kid that I wish I was a kid once more!

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl is one such comic book series. I had no idea about this supergirl or her comic books until I read its first novel based on it, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World.

Published by Marvel Comics, the solo series started in January 2015 and this novel hit the bookstores in early 2017. The novel, penned by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, is delightful and the Squirrel Girl character is a refreshing addition to the world of superheroes.

Doreen/Squirrel Girl has the powers of a squirrel, and is sweet, kind, funny, hyper, smart and just 14. She’s shifted from California to New Jersey and she has to adjust to a new school, make new friends (both humans and squirrels) and hide her identity as well as her tail.

Squirrel Girl has some interesting abilities, such as chatting with squirrels, jumping high in the sky and not falling! And there is the tail that is so very hard to hide! Doreen might have gone on living an ordinary life, despite befriending squirrels and sneaking up the trees with them, but a super-villain decides that Squirrel Girl is his archenemy and Doreen has to rise up to the challenge and save the neighbourhood.

She is an optimist with a heart of gold, who connects well with both people and squirrels. She tries to handle tough situations through compassion and charisma and only uses her superpowers as the last resort.

Another important and interesting character is that of Doreen’s best friend Ana Sofia, who wears hearing aids. Ana and Doreen communicate through sign language, reading lips and texting. This adds an interesting dimension to the story and also makes the readers subtly realise the issues that people who wear hearing aids, have to face on daily basis. It conveys the need to be inclusive and friendly with people who may not be like everyone else.

But there were a few things that I didn’t like much about this book, like the footnotes on the pages, not very common in novels, were distracting.

Over all, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World, is a new addition to the supergirl genre.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 6th, 2018