Please Don't Tell My Parents I'm a Supervillain

Thirteen-year-old Penny Akk comes from a family of superheroes and desperately wants to develop superpowers of her own. When she finally gains abilities, things don't go according to plan, and she finds herself accidentally becoming a supervillain instead of the hero she intended to be. Along with her two best friends, Penny navigates the complex world of heroes and villains while trying to keep her new identity secret from her superhero parents. Her adventures take her through the criminal underworld of Los Angeles as she builds gadgets, makes deals, and encounters both allies and enemies. Penny must balance her normal middle school life with her growing reputation as a supervillain, all while questioning what it truly means to be good or evil. The story incorporates classic superhero elements with middle-grade themes of friendship, family expectations, and self-discovery. The novel explores how labels and reputations can shape identity, especially during the challenging years of early adolescence. It presents a fresh take on the superhero genre by examining heroism and villainy through the eyes of a conflicted young protagonist.

Readers praise the book's humor, fast pace, and creative take on supervillain tropes. Many highlight the authentic portrayal of middle school dynamics and parent-child relationships. The protagonist Penny's voice resonates with both young and adult readers. Common praise points: - Clever dialogue and witty banter - Strong friendship dynamics between main characters - Original superhero/villain world-building - Family-friendly content despite villain theme Main criticisms: - Some find Penny's intelligence level inconsistent - Plot occasionally moves too quickly - Supporting characters could use more development - A few readers note choppy writing style Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (7,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (820+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "Perfect balance of silly and serious - my 12-year-old loved it and so did I. Like if Spider-Man was written from Flash Thompson's perspective." - Goodreads reviewer "Fun premise but needs tighter editing. The pacing jumps around." - Amazon reviewer

Sidekicked by John David Anderson A middle school student with minor superpowers attends a school for superhero sidekicks while questioning the black-and-white nature of heroes versus villains.

The Rise of Renegade X by Chelsea M. Campbell The son of a supervillain discovers on his 16th birthday that his other parent is a superhero, forcing him to navigate both worlds while attending a school for villains.

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks A child prodigy enrolls in a school for criminal masterminds and must choose between following his education's dark path or using his skills for good.

The Cloak Society by Jeramey Kraatz A boy raised in a family of supervillains begins to question his upbringing after meeting a young superhero during a heist.

Hero by Perry Moore The son of a disgraced superhero develops powers and joins a league of heroes while hiding his identity and orientation from his father.

🦹‍♀️ The book's protagonist, Penny Akk, comes from a family of superheroes - her father is The Audit and her mother is E-Claire, making her journey into supervillainy even more complicated. 🔬 The story takes place in Los Angeles, but in an alternate version where mad science is real and superheroes are a regular part of daily life. 🤖 Author Richard Roberts drew inspiration from both classic superhero comics and the growing genre of superhero fiction, but deliberately chose to focus on younger characters and the moral ambiguity of hero vs. villain labels. 📚 The book is the first in a series called "Please Don't Tell My Parents," which currently includes six main books and one spin-off novel. 🎭 The main character's supervillain persona, "Bad Penny," was partially inspired by the old saying "turning up like a bad penny," which refers to something unwanted that keeps returning.