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Solving Crimes is NOT My Superpower

by Nathanael Lessore, illustrated by Simran Diamond Singh

Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 7+

Published by Little Tiger

  • Chapter books
  • Funny
  • Mystery

About this book

Everyone in Sara’s town has a superpower, except for her.

Some people can make cows fall over. Some can levitate squirrels. Her parents are super strong and can control the wind. But Sara doesn’t yet have a power (could it be cracking hilarious jokes?)

So when the school’s football trophy is stolen, Sara has to catch the thief using only her powers of deduction. She and her two friends Javier and Georgie investigate – and uncover some town secrets on the way. (And watch a mayor farting colours...) But will Sara ever discover her hidden superpower? 

Funny and warm, with brilliant dialogue, this is easy to read and full of wit. Young readers will laugh out loud as they race through it, keen to solve the mystery. Nathanael Lessore has written for teenagers before, and he proves here that he can also write fluently for younger children as well.

This is the first in a hilarious new series, illustrated throughout with energetic pictures and doodles by Simran Diamond Singh.

About the author

Nathanael grew up in a North Peckham estate as one of eight children to French and Madagascan parents. Writing his first book gave him the opportunity to show his South East London childhood as the funny, warm, adventurous world that wasn't always represented as such. Celebrating diverse characters gave Nathanael the opportunity to represent kids who otherwise would never see themselves in this light in this form of literature. 

​His debut was published in April 2023 and he has since won the Branford Boase Award, the Carnegie Shadower's Medal for Writing, the Jhalak Prize, the Diverse Book Awards, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, and several regional awards. 

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