Irresistible

Irresistible is Richard Scrimger’s contribution to “The Almost Epic Squad” quartet, a series which follows four children who were exposed to Reidium as infants and are now developing super – or almost super – powers as they turn thirteen. In Irresistible, the reader is introduced to Archie O’Kaye who swallowed Reidium dust 13 years earlier. Now, whenever he feels fear, he changes. His shirt tucks itself into his pants, his hair becomes neat, his eyes widen, he stands taller, and he oozes charm as he speaks whatever his alter-ego decides will help him get away from the thing that he fears. The person on the receiving end of that burst of charm feels compelled to do whatever Archie asks. This could be a neat trick if Archie could control it or even knew it was happening. Unfortunately, he has no memory of the episodes.

Archie is not a likeable hero. As the narrator informs the reader, “He’s a bit of a baby. A bit? A lot. He cares mostly about himself – the way babies do – and he says what he thinks – also the way babies do.” He is presented as selfish, uncaring of others, and obnoxious. Luckily for Archie, his one friend, Dale, appreciates his honesty. And Dale is liked by Uday, which means that Uday is also a sort-of friend to Archie. Uday realizes Archie’s awesome ability when Archie is caught on video as his super-charm kicks in and he tells everyone to buy Chompo bars. The video quickly goes viral, and the sales of Chompo bars skyrocket. As it happens, the villains of the story also have something they want to sell, and they decide to kidnap Archie so he will use his powers to sell their product.

Scrimger’s contribution to the series provides some much-appreciated information about The Boss and another of her henchmen, Nurse Clutterbucket, who was injured in the same Reidium explosion that catapulted Nurse Nussbaum into her work of villainy. Scrimger’s narrator is sympathetic to the two nurses who, in his mind, are victims of circumstance. Confused? No fear! As with the earlier books, Irresistible starts with the same (just about) graphic sequence as the earlier books to provide some context for the novel. And Scrimger has included a very chatty narrator who provides commentary throughout the book and, as the story evolves, even takes a role within the story.

The bumbling villains and oblivious hero make a wacky comedy perfectly aimed at an audience that loves slapstick and the occasional super uncool socially inappropriate kid. Scrimger does not take himself, his book, or his narrator too seriously. He adds SCARY MUSIC cues, admits that the narrative arc may be missing a climax, and has his narrator talk about missing some of the plot because they were talking to their landlady who is going to kick them out for not paying the rent.

Wacky, Irresistible won’t be for everyone, but it will be irresistible to some. It could make a great read-aloud.