This book was not what I thought it would be. It had a some magical stuff happening to some of the characters. The cover is colorful and eye catching. The title went a long with the book. Middle grade girls seem to have lots of drama and this book was about some middle grade drama, but in the end the main character learned to stand up for herself. So the message was a good one. I think this would make a good graphic novel.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Ellie is a likable character who uses her abilities responsibly. The influence from comic books can be seen throughout and made things interesting. It did at moments feel like a typical coming-of-age story though.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

I so badly wanted to like this one, but I really struggled to get into it. Despite my own struggles, I could already think of a handful of students I'd recommend it to who I thought would absolutely love it. It may not be for everyone, but for the right readers, it's a home run.

Fun middle grade read -realistic fiction with a touch of fantasy! Younger middle grade readers will enjoy following Ellie on her journey of redefining her closest friendship, redefining herself, and rethinking her relationship with her mom and grandpa as she moves into middle school.

"If you want to be a hero the first thing you have to do is have a great origin story." Ellie Engle knows that - because she is a comic book reader and has learned a lot from superhero tales. The problem is Ellie never wanted to be a hero. Ellie's life is fairly ordinary and that is okay with her. She has her mom (although she is always at work), her pet goldfish (although a fish is hard to cuddle), and her time at the bakery helping out Mr. Walker (her grandpa's buddy). Most of all, she has her best friend Abby. Abby is the one determined to make her mark on the world and Ellie is content to cheer Abby on from the sidelines.

After an earthquake hits their town and it seems that Ellie has developed a super power, suddenly everything is out of control. Reporters are hounding Ellie and her mom, keeping their house under siege. Abby has decided to join the cheerleading squad at school and suddenly only has time for her new friends just when Ellie needs her. A mean student in class posts a video of Ellie that captures the attention of a pop star, pushing Ellie into the spotlight and making Abby jealous. On top of everything else, Ellie realizes she has a crush on Abby. Middle school is hard enough without all those extra problems. Will the lessons Ellie has learned from the stories of superheroes be enough to see her through this crisis, or has she met her doom?

Ellie is a believable character caught up in some unbelievable situations and readers will root for her as she works out the best way to get her life back under control. And we may also be quietly hoping that the meanies get their just desserts.

Ellie Engle is a wonderfully relatable character. You will be rooting for her success in the midst of all the challenges she is facing.

A MG superhero story that shows kids that it’s okay to be your own hero.
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Ellie Engle is about to head into middle school. She’s perfectly happy with how things are: quiet time in her room and hanging out with her BFF Abby, whom she also has feelings for, and who also wants to be a popular cheerleader. When an earthquake gives Ellie the power to resurrect living things, she’s now worried about how to control this new part of herself. Unfortunately her new powers create a rift between Ellie and Abby and when she’s caught on camera resurrecting a dead frog in science class, Ellie must now deal with sudden fame. How will she be able to survive middle school when she’s a sudden internet phenomenon?
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What a delightful middle grade debut by Johnson. I’m a huge fan of her YA titles and just loved Ellie’s whole vibe. She’s a girl who knows what she wants, what she likes and is perfectly okay with that—she’s the hero every kid can look up to. This needs to be a series! I can’t wait to moderate the @americanlibraryassociation #ALAAC23 panel and talk all things magic! @disneybooks

CW: grief, bullying, death of a grandparent (discussed), parental abandonment

4.5 ⭐️

Ellie is perfectly content being the quiet best friend. But, when an earthquake leaves Ellie with superpowers like those in her beloved comics, Ellie is forced into the spotlight. Now she must navigate middle school, superpowers, and the possibility that she loves her best friend as more than a friend. This is a cute story about identity, friendship, and self-acceptance.

Ellie Engle's life is confusing. Her best friend is growing away from her, her family is changing, middle school is, well, middle school. And she suddenly acquires super-powers. Ellie, who likes to stay in the background, is now in the foreground! In this sweet story she learns to take chances and trust herself.

Lovely middle grade novel, with just the right amount of humor and self-discovery. Perfect for readers who love a superhero origin story.

This unique and inventive story expertly uses fantasy to make the themes of the story accessible to MG readers. Ellie is a relatable and engaging main character. Highly recommend!

I'm absolutely LOVING Leah Johnson's first foray into middle grade. Ellie Engle is funny, relatable, and, like so many of us, just trying to get by without making too many waves. ELLIE ENGLE SAVES HERSELF explores the trials of shifting relationships and how a young person so used to being overshadowed struggles to love themselves boldly and brightly. Ellie's coming into her sexuality, re-analyzing the dynamic between her and her best friend Abby, and attempting to manage her newfound freak-accident powers. Ellie’s thoughtful and considerate, often putting the concerns of those around before what she wants or needs. Even though her mother is not always present due to work and financial constraints, Ellie still has immense respect and understanding for her mother’s circumstances and even strives to make the burden easier on her mother. She’s a self-aware middle schooler, but it’s an appropriate amount of self-awareness. I’m looking forward to more middle grade novels from Leah Johnson

Ellie is getting ready to go to seventh grade but on the night before she goes on her first day of school, there's an earthquake that shakes the entire house. Which is unusual because she lives in the middle of Indiana. But after the earthquake, Ellie feels different, but can't explain why she feels different. As her day goes on strange things happen, she touches a dying plant and revives it, hears things from afar, and brings Burt the Betta Fish back to life! So what does she do, she goes to tell her best friend Abby.

Beautifully written, the author does a wonderful job setting up the story and introducing Ellie and Abby. We soon discover that Ellie doesn't like herself much due to her dad leaving her and her mother. Her mother is hardly around because she must work long hours as a single mom. Then her friend's family is the polar opposite of Elle's family. The Ortegas are loud with many children and always there.

So when Ellie gets her superpowers she begins to change and realizes she's important and she matters. I love the plot and premise but felt it took too long to set up the conflict and wished the author got there faster. Overall, this is a fun book and I feel many fifth, sixth, seventh, and maybe eighth graders would enjoy this story.

I booktalked this title to 5th grade classes, and they were all excited to get their hands on it! I loved the unique storyline, and they did too. I know this will be a popular title -- magical realism combined with a first crush? perfect!

Ellie Engle is a determined character who has to look inward to find the strength to become her true self. The magical aspects of the story are fun and will entertain readers.

Ellie Engle is just a middle school girl who wants to fly under the radar. Too bad the world has other plans! When a rare earthquake hits her town in the first day of school, Ellie wake up with powers. Powers to bring dead things back to life. She’s determined to keep her powers a secret from everyone, including her mom. The only person Ellie does tell is her best friend, Abby, and Abby isn’t sure what to think. When a girl at school captures Ellie’s powers on video, life as she knows it is over. So much for hiding in the shadows and not being noticed! After news of Ellie’s powers are out, she has to decide who her real friends are and how to navigate her new life. Ellie decides that she is important and worth taking care of. Ellie is a great middle school character that struggles to know her place, and with her confidence in who she is. When she starts to rely on her family and friends she realizes she can deal with anything.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I needed this book when I was a kid. Ellie is amazing and I absolutely adore her. I thought the story was great, very appealing to many readers. I highly recommend that everyone read this book. I will definitely make sure this gets on my circulation list at the library!

First things first: WE NEED MORE ELLIE. Leah, please give the people what they want.

Okay, now that we've addressed that, let's review: I devoured this book. This is a book I would have LOVED to read at 12. And I know a lot of kids back then would have too. Ellie Engle Saves Herself follows 12 year old Ellie, a Black, queer comic book nerd who believes herself to be completely unremarkable. She feels herself to be a shadow to her bff and it seems would rather blend into the background of everyone else's story. But after waking up during an earthquake, things change and Ellie quickly finds herself to be a real-life superhero just like the characters in her beloved comic books. It’s a story of friendship & family. A story of self-acceptance & self-advocating. It is a heartwarming, magical read with characters you can't help but root for! You'll fall in love with Ellie as she journeys to find out who she really is and maybe she will end up saving others in the process. I know that if I read this as a kid, she would have helped me too. As a children's literary nonprofit, we aim to bring diverse and inclusive books to all kids in all communities. This book will be one we stock in each of the Little Free Libraries we create and one we regularly donate to schools/libraries.

Thank you Netgalley & Disney Publishing for this e-book arc to review!

Ellie Engle is a cute children's read that I enjoyed. The message to be true to yourself and follow through with your heart hit home to me. I feel that my students would enjoy this read and love the representation placed throughout.

This book made my inner child so happy! I saw so much of myself in Ellie, and it made me laugh several times. Quiet little book nerd, perfectly content to sit at home. Then there’s an earthquake, and she wakes up with superpowers… and what kid wouldn’t love that!? Middle school me would have loved that! This book feels absolutely genuine in every way 💙