Love this book!! I am definitely buying this book for my library. In fact, because I was able to read the ARC, I have already had students request to read this. Super excited!

Over the past year or so, Marvel has made it a point to put out young adult novels centered on some of their biggest heroes – Black Widow, Squirrel Girl, and soon Captain Marvel – and while I’ve enjoyed those books, Miles Morales is something else. It’s not just a great read, it feels like so much more.
This isn’t merely a novel adaption of a Mile Morales comic book. It’s a story with so much to tell; with so much heart inside of its pages. And it finishes on what is easily the best and biggest closer I’ve read in a young adult novel in quite some time. Reynolds took a superhero story and made it so much more than just another story about a web-slinger.
Ever since his Marvel Comics debut in 2011, Miles Morales has quickly become just as notable as his predecessor, Peter Parker. So much so that fans campaigned for the character to take on the moniker in the next Spider-Man film. While we won’t get the chance to see that anytime soon, we can at least appreciate that Marvel has begun to branch out with the character, taking him from characters to the small screen and now young adult novels. While the Black Widow novels have seen their fair share of criticism of Natasha not truly being the lead in those stories, the publishing giant’s latest efforts have done an excellent job at showcasing these young heroes and the difficulties they experience along their journey to heroism. Miles Morales fits into the category of the latter.
We do get to see the web-slinger be heroic and go on adventures as Spider-Man throughout the novel, but this book is very much about Miles and his struggles to retain a normal life while trying to do good with his powers. Along the way the book touches on topics such as racism and profiling, topics that are sadly still far too relevant in our society today. Thankfully, though, the story doesn’t just casually brush upon those topics. It full on tackles them with one of the most powerful closing scenes I’ve read in a book lately.
All in all: If you like Miles Morales, this book is for you. If you’re not familiar with Miles? This book is still well worth picking up.
If there isn’t a sequel, I’ll be incredibly disappointed because I’m already eager to go on an adventure with these characters again.

Although I am a Marvel fan, I am not acquainted with Miles Morales. It was a pleasure to be introduced by Jason Reynolds.

More than a super-hero book, this is the story of a sixteen-year-old navigating the complex world of adolescence. The weight of his father's and uncle's past underlies much of Miles' thinking and action. His father's wisdom and practical real-world council help guide his choices. Ganke, his best friend and roommate is hysterical. Dispensing teenage advise on love, schoolwork and earning money, he keeps Miles' character rooted in the reality of their teenage world. The story has a creepy villain and just enough action scenes and fantasy to keep you in the comic-book world. Spider-Man heroics were used with restraint, which was appropriate considering Miles' inner conflict about his role.

I look forward to reading more Miles Morales!

Can I have sequel, please? Please make this a series!

"Miles Morales" is my first foray into the world of Jason Reynolds and I am now and will forever be a full time resident. This book is nothing short of exceptional. Despite being a fan of Peter Parker (and Spiderman in general), I never quite got around to reading about Miles. I knew of him via word of mouth, I know that this is a well-loved character but for some reason I never got into the comics. This novel is a great way to boost interest an a great way to do so in a potentially successful manner.

Let's get into what I enjoyed about this book.

The characters: Miles as a protagonist is beautifully crafted. Reynolds takes a lot of time developing Morales' central character traits and these are very well detailed on the page. It's easy to love Miles, and this novel creates the character in a more multidimensional way that comics and graphic novels are able to do.

The supporting characters are equally well-drawn. The family and platonic relationships are fully developed, realities and very healthy. I believe it will be easy for students to identify themselves and their families within this book.

The setting: Spiderman just has to be New York. This story might work elsewhere but I like that Reynold’s kept with canon on this.

The plot: This is the only downfall for me, but it’s also a plus. Some readers will feel that this novel doesn’t have much of a plot, it does. It’s just that, for me, it feels like a something that’s on a slow-cooker. You have to give it enough time to cook throughly. This is linked to the pacing, the pacing was perfect for the star that Reynold’s is trying to tell and I do believe that it complements the book well.

The romance is understated and as a secondary story-line acts as a strong compliment to Miles' story. This combination works extremely well and readers do not fell burdened to keep track. Moreover, I love that there are some many POC in this book. The diversity is truly representative and is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise homogenous genre.


In summary, I believe that this novel is beautifully written and is definitely one of my favourite books for the year this far. I would recommend to everyone regardless of age, and would could be easily integrated into the curriculum of a literature class (even culture/history of the teacher wants to shake this up a bit).

Jason Reynold is such a gift. I expected this to be an origin story, but what it had to offer was so much more.

Afro-latinx MC, spiderman and Jason Reynolds all in one place, how do I get this for a thousand people?!?!?!?

this doesn't feel like a jason reynolds novel... but it is a great miles morales novel.