THE UNFORGETTABLE LOGAN FOSTER by Shawn Peters, HarperCollins, Jan. 18, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
A foster kid finds himself in the middle of a superhero showdown in Shawn Peters’ The Unforgettable Logan Foster.
Logan Foster has pretty much given up on the idea of ever being adopted. It could have something to with his awkward manner, his photographic memory, or his affection for reciting curious facts, but whatever the cause, Logan and his “PP’s” (prospective parents) have never clicked.
Then everything changes when Gil and Margie arrive. Although they aren’t exactly perfect themselves — Gil has the punniest sense of humor and Margie’s cooking would have anyone running for the hills — they genuinely seem to care.
But it doesn’t take Logan long to notice some very odd things about them. They are out at all hours, they never seem to eat, and there’s a part of the house that is protected by some pretty elaborate security.
No matter what Logan could have imagined, nothing prepared him for the truth: His PP’s are actually superheroes, and they’re being hunted down by dastardly forces. Logan’s found himself caught in the middle in a massive battle and the very fate of the world may hang in the balance. Will Logan be able to find a way to save the day and his new family? —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins
The Unforgettable Logan Foster is an unforgettable book. From beginning to end, it’s full of action and suspense. And at the center of it all is Logan.
Logan’s not like other kids. He’s neurodivergent — meaning he thinks differently from most people. Multiple doctors have diagnosed him with a range of disorders. In fact, the only thing the doctors seem to agree about is his memory being something none of them have ever seen. His eidetic, aka photographic, memory has helped set him apart as the smart, weird kid, who tells things as they are.
Gil and Margie are the first people who don’t seem to mind Logan’s “oddities.” They seem drawn to him because of them.
Logan’s story unfolds as he writes his story for the sibling he hasn’t seen since he was 3. This first-person approach is a brilliant move on author Shawn Peters’ part. Readers get a true sense of how Logan thinks and why he acts the way he does. It’s a great character study against the backdrop of superheroes and supervillains.
And, boy, are there superheroes and supervillains.
Peters has assembled a cast straight out of comic books. And though there are a few illustrations, each of them comes alive through Peters’ text.
The Unforgettable Logan Foster is the first book in a planned series that is sure to appeal to kids and adults alike. It’s one of those books that would be just as fun to read aloud as it is to read it to yourself.
