Miles Morales Spider-Man ~ Jason Reynolds

Ok, I’m pretty sure this is, by far, my favorite Jason Reynolds novel. And that’s saying a lot, because Long Way Down and All American Boys are incredible. But as a middle school teacher, I read with a particular eye for what I know my students, even my reluctant readers, will enjoy. And this book checks all the boxes. It is now added to my GROWING bundle or Novels With Diverse Voices. Snag it here!

Miles Morales grew up in a tough neighborhood in Brooklyn. Crime, arrests, homelessness, and drug addiction greet him every time he walks out of his parents’ home. But Miles’ parents work hard to give him a better life. Even though Miles’ dad and uncle used to earn money illegally and wound up in prison, Miles’ dad wants much better for his son. Miles attends Brooklyn Visions Academy, a fancy private school that should provide him with tremendous opportunity after high school. 

Unfortunately, there are a few factors that complicate this plan. 1.) Miles is Spider-Man. Balancing school work, a work-study campus job, and a secret crime-fighting side gig isn’t exactly easy. 2.) Mr. Chamberlain, MIles’ Confederate-obsessed history teacher has it out for him. Something about Mr. Chamberlain is off, and Miles’ spidey-senses confirm it. The question is… what crime is his history teacher committing, and how can Miles’ defeat him without getting expelled? 

This novel has a little bit of everything-- suspense, mystery, adventure, humor, romance, and more! 

Maturity: 2/4

This novel is ideal for age 12+. There is mention of drug addiction, and crime, and some brief descriptions of prison life, but nothing specific, graphic, or inappropriate.

Pages: 261

Lexile: HL710L

Lexile is a score that helps educators and parents match students with an appropriate text. A Lexile score is a measure of both a child’s reading ability and a text difficulty. However, Lexile does not take into account the content of a novel. So, pairing readers with a text is a complex process, and knowledge of a novel’s themes and plot is necessary to make a high-quality recommendation.

If you are curious about the grade-level equivalent to Lexile scores, check out the conversion chart here!

Happy Reading!

♥ Kara & Riley