The Above-Average Adventures of Nicholas Herriman

Book one in the Losers League series

Children - Adventure
202 Pages
Reviewed on 03/17/2021
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Ken Sheldon was a pre-med art major at the University of New Hampshire. The medical schools of America were not amused. After college, Ken worked in a clinic for migrant farmworkers, where he learned to speak Spanish poorly, sang old union songs, and once gave César Chavez a cholera shot. From there, Ken went on to become a cartoonist, author, editor, singer, songwriter and performer. His writing has appeared in magazines and newspapers from Acoustic Guitar to Yankee Magazine. He is the author of novels for adults and children, and has appeared on stage, screen, radio and online. He is the creator of the comedy show Frost Heaves featuring Yankee humorist Fred Marple. Ken has also written thousands of checks, most of which cleared the bank with no difficulty whatsoever.

Also check out Ken's music for kids, including the bestselling Sing Along and Learn series of fun educational tunes: https://kensheldon.bandcamp.com/

    Book Review

Reviewed by Bruce Arrington for Readers' Favorite

The Above-Average Adventures of Nicholas Herriman by Ken Sheldon is about Nicholas, your run-of-the-mill kid in middle school, who is not really a great student. His dad died years ago when he was young, he has only one friend, and one day he finds himself the owner of a trunk. Or rather, it was a throwaway but he wanted it, so he took it. Only it’s not an empty trunk, but is filled with objects more suited to the dumpster than anything else—or so it seems. When Nicholas starts using these objects, his world changes as he discovers the element of superpowers. But Nicholas starts out being selfish with them, treating his best friend like something to be used and avoided, thinking how he can get even with the school bully and even make himself the most popular kid in the school. But can he overcome his selfish tendencies and use these gifts to help others?

When I was about a third of the way into this book, I found I could not put it down. The writing is excellent, the story unfolds naturally, and we understand at the end more about Nicholas’s family and how he’s not just a random character after all. This book will engage young readers and fill their minds with comic book heroes and all the fun fantasy that goes along with it. Clearly a winner, The Above-Average Adventures of Nicholas Herriman by Ken Sheldon is sure to excite young readers everywhere with thoughts of “What if I?” Highly recommended.

K. Bunnell

My house-mate bought this book and handed it to me to read when I casting about for something new. I was like "Whaat?" BUT, this is a fun book, and I wish my nephew were six years younger or twenty years older, because I would send it to him for Christmas. This book has a clean writing style, a good sense of humor, a very fun sense of "what makes a super-hero" and a SUPER explanation of where super-heroes come from. It also has a great mystery going on for the whole time, including a cipher! Such fun! I started reading it at bedtime, and stayed up to finish it. Utterly absurd for a very literary 50 year old woman. But, that is the tribute to this well-written, well-conceived character and story. I kept waiting for the "real explanation" to come forward, but no, (SPOILER ALERT!) the super heroes were real! This is a good time, well-paced, well-conceived, good humor, good story, good ethics. Is it a little old-fashioned for 2016? No. People need to be reminded that there is something better and given a reason to believe that better can be real. Super-Heroes do Exist! Can't wait for the next adventure!

William H. Heydolph

What fun, and it recalled the love and fascination with the comic book heroes of our youth. Though usually given to more "serious" reading I found it difficult to put down as the story unfolded filled with humor and mystery. On one level it is just a fun read but underlying it all there is much for deeper consideration. Thank you Mr. Sheldon.

Susan Jacobs

I've always loved adventure stories and this is such a fun one! Even though I'm a "grown up," I totally enjoyed adventuring along with Nicholas and wondering how it was all gonna turn out

Kevin

Good clean superhero story with a twist. If your kids like to read at all they will enjoy this tale of super powers and learning how to use them

Robin Leigh Morgan

I read this book via an Amazon-US KINDLE Unlimited download.

As I read this book I sensed the writing had been that of the author’s inner-child coming to the surface. The storyline itself seemed to have had some of the elements of the television show “The Greatest American Hero,” which I’d loved watching; specifically, as it pertains to the protagonist Ralph Hinkley’s custom and his lack of knowledge in how to use it, just like the protagonist in this story, Nicholas Herriman.

Nicholas’s lack of knowledge in the use of this custom and everything else he’d found in the trunk, creates some interesting aftermaths each time he does use it. And if hadn’t been for sheer luck there are times in which he might have even killed himself.

Prior to his finding this trunk and his overall demeanor made him a candidate to be elected “The Most Average Kid to Ever Attend Peabody School.” Naturally, being like this, Nicholas had likelihood of being beaten by his antagonist, Harley Davison.

What adds to the enjoyment of reading this book, is that Mr. Sheldon made sure it had been fraught with a little whodunit as well as some humor.

In the end, Nicholas’ adventures with what he’d found in the trunk leads him into a self-discovery of who he is and that of his family roots.

For allowing me to start this year’s reading adventures on a delightful note, I’ve given Mr. Sheldon 5 STARS.

Pat-NH

Ken Sheldon aka Fred Marple of Frost Heaves NH hits it out of the park on this one! This story is cute with the main character - Nicholas Harriman - is a winner even if he starts out as a loser! A great book not only for kids but also their parents!

S. Lamb

Such a fun book! Entertaining read for any age but young readers will love this average kid who gets the opportunity to play at being a super hero with a lot of misadventures... Leaves the reader looking forward to the sequel. A great gift idea or addition to a classroom library. The chapter sizes and story line would work well as a book for teachers to read to their class!

Amazon Customer

My boys absolutely love this book ( as do I)! It is so fun to listen to them laugh as we read together. Even my 5 year old, who is a little young for this reading level, gets very excited to hear what new super powers Nicholas is going to discover. My 8 year old can't get enough, and begs to keep reading "just one more chapter tonight mom...please?!" Age appropriate humor, mystery, adventure, and a great message all rolled into one!

C. Madrid

"The book is extremely imagination-activating. It has lots of adventure in it, and I like how Nicholas helps kids who are having trouble with bullies. The costumes that give him superpowers are really cool. I'm looking forward to the next book. I've been sitting at my desk wondering how the next story will turn out." - 10-year-old reviewer and avid reader

Diane Alexander

What an outstanding and well penned adventure story! Nickolas' escapades kept me turning pages and yearning for more. Great imagination; great fun. We loved it!

nowtsoqueer

Not entirely sure who this is aimed at but as a fifty something year old UK female I LOVED it! Brilliant in every way. Definitely reading more about Nick and his adventures. It was witty & charming & fun & even had a villain. Superb storytelling.

Sharon Zerveskes

"It was great, I hope there is a sequel."
This was my grandson's review after reading The Above Average Adventures of Nicholas Heriman.