Project Superhero

by E. Paul Zehr

Since I went first in the normal round, Dylan led off here.

  It gave me time for one more calming deep breath. Which I did while slowly stepping away from the microphone and closing my eyes. But I did peek once into the crowd to see Cade and Audrey staring up at me. Audrey had a little grin on.

  And then we were back at it . . .

  Dylan: “Batman is the ultimate team player. He’s been in the Justice League forever. He’s been in Batman and the Outsiders; he’s trained Robin, Nightwing, Spoiler, and tons of others. Superman comes to him for advice. Wonder Woman asks him things. Batman. Trained. Batgirl. Student does not beat teacher.”

  And suddenly something I should have noticed all along hit me like a smack on the forehead. Who has been a product of teamwork and collaboration more than me this entire school year?

  I’ve had help from Ricki, from Mom, from Dad, Auntie G, Cade, Audrey, Shay, all the people I interviewed . . . even Dylan helped me by being someone for me to focus on!

  So, who’s more ready and prepared to answer about teamwork and collaboration than me and my superhero Batgirl?

  No one. That’s who.

  I took another calming deep breath but this time I stepped up to the microphone and looked out at the whole crowd. I could see Dylan out of the corner of my eye. He didn’t look like a superhero. Not even like a supervillain. He just looked like a nervous kid.

  Me: “Batgirl works with others. She’s a leader but she’s first among equals. She’s been in lots of teams like Birds of Prey. She’s worked with Robin, Nightwing, and Batman. The key is she works with everyone. She understands everyone has their own strengths and that putting all those individual strengths together creates the most powerful thing ever. Batgirl is the team player and that makes her the greatest superhero. EVER!”

  And then something happened I could never have prepared for.

  Dylan gave up.

  He actually said into the microphone, in front of everyone: “I give up!”

  Yes, that was actually it. He gave up. He conceded that Batgirl could beat Batman! This took everybody by surprise, me most of all.

  When Dylan said that, the gym got really quiet. Then Ms. King took over, counting hands as she called out for those voting for Batman and then Batgirl. All of this was a blur to me as Dylan and I both sat back in our seats.

  So, could Batgirl beat Batman? YES! She could and she did. I worked hard on this project and grew a lot. It was awesome — I was awesome!

  It was also terrifying. I tried really hard to avoid looking at the whole school gathered in the gym watching us.

  But then I saw lots of happy faces — most importantly Cade and Audrey jumping up and down and hugging in the front row. I even noticed Dylan looking over at me. But not with an angry stare or a mad glare because he’d lost.

  Instead Dylan had a kind of small smile on his face. And then he nodded.

  Which was kind of weird. What’s up with that?

  I won as Batgirl because of her ability to work with others and therefore think of others. For Batgirl, it’s not all about her. Batman in Dylan’s hands was just about fighting and doing his own thing.

  I’m exhausted now despite how great it feels to win the Superhero Slam. It was quite frightening being up on that stage in the final. But I felt like I was in the zone up there. Like I do when I’m training with Auntie G. Totally focused on what I am doing and nothing else.

  I am very happy that my inner Batgirl showed herself after all.

  Turns out my inner Batgirl is really just me.

  And that’s more than enough for me.

  THURSDAY, JUNE 25

  This is my final interview for this diary. I got my reply from science journalist Christie Nicholson. She’s a contributing editor at Scientific American and has written articles about all kinds of things — including science and superheroes!

  Hi Christie,

  My friend Audrey and I have read lots of your work. We really like how you make science articles so interesting. Audrey is full-on going to be an awesome scientist, engineer, inventor, or something when she gets older. And I’m into your articles because I like asking questions, getting answers, and writing.

  You guessed it — I want to be a journalist one day. (Maybe even a science journalist so I can keep tabs on Audrey.)

  As part of a school project, I’ve been researching about training the body and if a girl could become Batgirl with enough time, effort, and work. And enough food. (Seriously, you get super hungry from all that training.) I’ve written to a lot of really cool people about it. But I haven’t written to anyone to ask about the actual thing I’m doing — being a journalist!

  That’s why I’m writing you. I have some questions I hope you’ll answer!

  * Do you have to read up a lot on something before you interview somebody?

  * How do you get your ideas for what to write about?

  * How and why did you get into journalism in the first place?

  * What’s the coolest part of your job? The least cool (I was going to write “suckiest” but I’m pretty sure that isn’t a word)?

  * Do you have a favorite superhero? (It’s okay if you don’t, but this is kind of my “signature question.”)

  Thank you so much!

  Jessie

  Hi Jessie!

  Thanks for reaching out to me. I am very excited about your project—I’d like to see the outcome, as I’m curious how an ordinary human can become an extraordinary superhero.

  I guess that is the number-one characteristic nearly all journalists share: a curiosity for pretty much everything. And it appears you have it!

  So to answer your questions about being a journalist . . .

  I decided to become a journalist because I love sharing information with others. I especially love watching another person enjoy and react to fascinating stories—hopefully sparking a conversation that might enlighten all involved.

  Before I interview any source (the people I go to for information or a story), I absolutely read and learn about them and the subject I’m writing about. Often I do most of this research on the web, reading through past newspaper and magazine articles and blog posts. I want to find out the latest news on my topic, so that I know what new angle I can provide for my readers.

  Finding a good idea is one of the tougher parts of a journalist’s job. I sometimes find ideas in other articles, but it’s important to put a new spin or “take” on a subject. The best ideas, however, come from talking with people. What you are looking for is something interesting, new, and relevant. For this we have to trust ourselves . . . meaning if you find something interesting, it’s likely others will find it interesting too. So as a journalist, I always stop and take note of anything that catches my interest and see if I could turn it into a story that might be relevant for my specific audience.

  For me, the coolest part of the job is having an excuse to call up amazing scientists and have long conversations with them. Having access to great thinkers and learning about their work is such a pleasure.

  The toughest part of the job is taking all the research and interviews and organizing it to create an engaging and important story. This is by far the hardest thing for me.

  On the superhero question—hmm, I guess my favorite superhero is Iron Man. I’ve always been a fan of inventors and I see Iron Man as the most innovative. Plus he seems like he might be a cool person to hang out with.

  Good luck, Jessie, with your Batgirl project and your pursuit of a career in journalism. For me it’s been great fun.

  All the best,

  Christie

  All my research has really strengthened my journalism skills! Journalists can be like superheroes because they can get themselves in (and out of!) dangerous situations, have to have critical thinking skills, have to be brave, and have to expose the truth. No matter what
.

  Something else, too. When Audrey finally finishes off her exoskeleton project (all that stuff with Cade side-tracked her), I’m going to ask Christie about interviewing her!

  FRIDAY, JUNE 26

  Today was the last day of grade 8, the last day of, well, all of middle school. So it was sure a different kind of day. People saying goodbye like always at the end of the year.

  But also not like always because there are, like, five different high schools we are all off to. Luckily, Audrey, Cade, and I are going to the same one — the one that’s been right outside my backyard for the past 10 years!

  It has a great writing program and a really good arts program. Including photography! Which would really help with my journalism career. When I told Dad that’s the one I wanted to go to, he was like, “Finally, you can walk to school!” Which I think means “Finally, I don’t have to drive you to school when you miss your bus.”

  But some of us are going off to other schools. Like Dylan, for example. He is going to a school with a basketball academy program. At one point (actually at many points) this year, knowing he was going to a different high school would have made me happy. But it’s weird to think I won’t see him around anymore.

  I started off this diary in September wondering (or being forced to wonder) what I had inside. What I was capable of. Basically, who was I?

  I still don’t know for sure. But I do know I feel pretty good about what I could do. And can do. What the possibilities are. Not sure if I really want to become a superhero like Batgirl. (And not just because of what Hayley Wickenheiser said about the costume! Too funny.)

  But I do know a lot more about the work and effort needed to do something big. All the people I wrote to this year told me that.

  So for my big diary finale here’s my list of the Top 10 Things I Learned From My Interviews. In random order!

  * “I don’t think you have to have superpowers to achieve amazing things; we can all do amazing things if we believe in ourselves!” — Jessica Watson

  * “Do you ever defeat fears or do you just get used to them?? Well, I guess a little of both. There is no substitute for training and the ­other side of that is there is really no ­substitute for actually doing.” — Mike Bruen

  * “I have a real live superhero and that is my mom. She is superhuman to me!” — Clara Hughes

  * “You should never go to a place of ‘a girl wouldn’t say that!’ Anyone, of any race, of any sex, can do or say anything. How they behave is based on their past experiences and their current sense of self.” — Bryan Q. Miller

  * “What’s best for us is who we are. Each of our challenges is unique and we are uniquely ­qualified to live our lives our ‘best.’” — Kelly Sue DeConnick

  * “I believe that you should always go after your dreams, no matter how high or how hard they seem — that just makes you try harder!” — Hayley Wickenheiser

  * “Today I look around and I see many real ­women superheroes! I hope we keep adding more and more women to our list of ­super­heroes.” — Yuriko Romer

  * “We did so much training so we could respond to things we could control if something did happen” — Nicole Stott

  * “We have to trust ourselves.” — Christie Nicholson

  * “There’s a superhero in you.” — Jessie (That’s me. I needed one more to make 10. And I learned this year that this is true. ☺ )

  I’m going to make a big mural of this for my wall!

  But . . . later. Time to start my vacation with a little rest and relaxation!

  Right after I clean my room.

  Even superheroes have to do chores.

  Apparently.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The genesis of this book, a hybrid fiction and non-fiction project following a school year in the life of Jessie, was the direct result of the conversations I’ve had with thousands of people aged 10 to 16. I’ve done many, many talks and presentations about my first two books, Becoming Batman and Inventing Iron Man. A lot have been in elementary, middle, and high schools. By far the majority have been with middle schools and grades 6 to 8.

  Some time ago, I started to think about writing a book specifically for a younger age group. In a way, Project Superhero is the answer to questions like: “Have you thought about writing a book for tweens?” or “Would you ever write something about female superheroes?” Another obvious question is “If you do write a book for teens, would you illustrate it? But not using your own drawings (which are terrible), but instead with an amazingly gifted artist who has made amazing animated movies?” (OK. That last question wasn’t one I was ever asked. But it is true that my drawings would be terrible, and Kris Pearn, the illustrator, is an amazingly gifted artist.) Project Superhero is for everyone I’ve met and for all those out there wondering about who they can be. It’s a book about a young and inquisitive teen trying to find out about herself through her love of friends, superheroes, science, and writing.

  I’ve been very fortunate that many amazing people have allowed me to interview them and ask them the questions Jessie needs answered. Jessie gives special thanks to: Mike Bruen, retired NYPD sergeant on duty at Ground Zero for 9/11; Kelly Sue DeConnick, comic book writer for Captain Marvel and Avengers Assemble; Clara Hughes, Canadian six-time Winter and Summer Olympic medalist in speed skating and cycling and mental health spokesperson; Bryan Q. Miller, writer for Batgirl and Smallville; Christie Nicholson, contributing editor, Scientific American and SmartPlanet; Yuriko Romer, filmmaker (Mrs. Judo: Be Strong, Be Gentle, Be Beautiful) who documented the life of Keiko Fukuda—the highest ranking woman in judo history; Nicole Stott, NASA astronaut who spent more than three months on the International Space Station and has been in space six times; Jessica Watson, author of True Spirit: The True Story of a 16-Year-Old Australian Who Sailed Solo, Nonstop, and Unassisted Around the World; Hayley Wickenheiser, Olympic gold medalist and World Champion in ice hockey and community advocate for girls in sport.

  I would also like to thank my agents Sam Hiyate and Alison MacDonald (for her Batgirl level of energy and insight), Stephanie Carmichael, Maiya MacMaster, Chelsea Kaupp, Yao Sun, Kate Scarth, and Rachael Renda for comments on earlier drafts of this book. Thanks to Jack David and ECW Press for taking a chance on an unusual idea. Many thanks also to Patricia Ocampo whose editorial insights made a superheroic contribution to the flow and organization of the book! Thanks also to the organizers of TEDx Edmonton 2012. It was at this event that Kris and I met and the beginnings of our collaboration took root.

  In creating this book, I tried to write using the voice of all those I’ve spoken with in my own journey as an author. I hope I hit the right notes and that you enjoyed Jessie’s grade 8 year!

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  E. Paul Zehr, a professor at the University of Victoria, is the author of Becoming Batman (2008) and Inventing Iron Man (2011), and he writes for Psychology Today and Scientific American. Veteran animation story artist of Open Season, Surf’s Up, Arthur Christmas and Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Kris Pearn co-directed 2013’s Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.

  Copyright © E. Paul Zehr, 2014

  Published by ECW Press

  2120 Queen Street East, Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, Canada m4e 1e2

  416-694-3348 / info@ecwpress.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any process — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without the prior written permission of the copyright owners and ECW Press. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materiaals. Your support of the author’s rights is appr
eciated.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA CATALOGUING IN PUBLICATION

  Zehr, E. Paul, author

  Project superhero / E. Paul Zehr ; illustrator, Kris Pearn.

  For ages 8-12.

  ISBN 978-1-77041-180-7

  Also issued as 978-1-77090-591-7 (PDF) 978-1-77090-590-0 (ePUB)

  I. Pearn, Kris, illustrator II. Title.

  PS8649.E465P76 2014 jC813'.6 C2014-902550-5

  C2014-902551-3

  Editor: Patricia Ocampo

  Cover design and all interior images: © Kris Pearn

  Interior layout and design: Rachel Ironstone

  The publication of Project Superhero has been generously supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $157 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country. We acknowledge the support of the Ontario Arts Council (OAC), an agency of the Government of Ontario, which last year funded 1,793 individual artists and 1,076 organizations in 232 communities across Ontario, for a total of $52.1 million. We also acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for our publishing activities, and the contribution of the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit and the Ontario Media Development Corporation.