Jude Banks, Superhero, Ann Hood
Jude Banks, Superhero, Ann Hood
List: $18.00 | Sale: $12.60
Club: $9.00

Jude Banks, Superhero

Author: Ann Hood

Narrator: Christopher Gebauer

Unabridged: 5 hr 45 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/18/2021


Synopsis

New York Times best-selling author Ann Hood pens a poignant story of grief and resilience, perfect for readers of The Thing About Jellyfish.

"A testament to the power of human connection.” —Jack Cheng, award-winning author of See You in the Cosmos
 
 
Katie was Jude's favorite person in the world. And not many brothers say that about their sister and mean it. But to Jude, Katie was everything--the person who made him learn how to say "I love you" in every language, who performed dramatic readings of Romeo and Juliet, who obsessed over every item on the diner menu looking for the most authentic diner meal. The one who called him "Jude Banks, Superhero," because to her, Jude was the best.

She was also the person who died. Out of nowhere, and without a goodbye. And Jude believes he was the one who killed her.

Now, twelve-year-old Jude must figure out what life looks like without his favorite person. With Mom checked out, and Dad just trying to do his best, Jude enters a world of grief youth groups and dropped-off lasagnas. It's only when he meets a girl named Clementine, who also lost a sibling, that he begins to imagine a world where maybe things might be okay. But Clementine is also feeling a terrible guilt, and even though Katie called Jude a "superhero," he isn't sure he can save her.

In her signature prose, Hood crafts an extraordinary story of grief and resilience, asking the important question: How does a family begin to heal?
 
Praise for Jude Banks, Superhero:
"Hood is brilliant at showing the ordinary moments of a family’s heartbreak… There are many readers who are navigating guilt and sorrow right now — for them, this book is a must. And for those lucky enough to take the journey only in their imaginations, this is a story of resilience in the face of devastating pain.”—New York Times Book Review   
 
"A tender story of grief and joy... a remarkable read."—School Library Connection (Starred Review)
 
"Hood’s careful gardening of emotions makes this a striking read... Fans of Ali Benjamin's The Thing about Jellyfish will appreciate Jude’s search for meaning and reason as he learns to live around the hole his sister has left."—Booklist (Starred Review)
 
“Ann Hood tells Jude’s story of grief without coating it in too much sugar; it’s real, and therein lies its power. Jude Banks is a mirror for anyone who’s experienced loss, and a testament to the power of human connection.”—Jack Cheng, award-winning author of See You in the Cosmos
 
"Jude Banks is warm and inviting, even as it balances the difficult topics of loss and healing—a powerful and compelling story for anyone who has known loss."—Rex Ogle, award winning author of Free Lunch

About Ann Hood

Ann Hood is the editor of Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting and the bestselling author of The Book That Matters Most, The Knitting Circle, The Red Thread, Comfort, An Italian Wife, among other works. She is the recipient of two Pushcart Prizes, a Best American Spiritual Writing Award, a Best American Food Writing Award, a Best American Travel Writing Award, and the Paul Bowles Prize for Short Fiction. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jill on June 18, 2021

Jude's sister Katie dies in her sleep. Jude is trying to deal with his grief and an incredible feeling of guilt that he may be responsible for her death. Kids who've gone through this trauma will relate to Jude and his feelings. And kids who have not may use this book to understand. Tricky subject,......more

Goodreads review by Barbara on June 16, 2021

This middle grade novel about loss, grief, and guilt is a 3.5 for me. It is hard to imagine anyone who won't be touched by it, whether they've experienced something similar or not. Twelve-year-old Jude Banks is sure that he's to blame for his gifted younger sister Katie's unexpected death. The autho......more

Goodreads review by Ryan on August 27, 2022

Jude Banks is going through grieving with his family, having lost his sister, Katie, to a cardiac arrest eight months prior. Katie was more than just his younger sister, she was his friend, they understood each other that no one else could understand. And with her gone, he feels his life is nothing.......more

Goodreads review by Laura on September 09, 2021

Adore this book. Bring tissues. . . . Ann Hood has written a beautiful, raw book about grief and loss. I couldn’t put it down and I couldn’t look away. Not everyone likes sad books, but I do and so do many of my students. Anyone else like reading tearjerkers? . . . Jude is lost without his best friend and s......more

Goodreads review by Heather on June 04, 2022

It is really hard to authentically write about grief in a middle grade book. So often the subject is suger coated and leaves the reader wanting. Hood does not do this. Nothing is neat or tidy. The characters are impacted by their grief and at times are at all loss as to what to do. Jude is positive......more