Grady Whill and The Templeton Codex is a young adult superhero adventure novel by Carole P. Roman. All Grady Whill wants after graduating from middle school is to be selected for the prestigious Templeton Academy for gifted students. When he finds out that his best friend, Aarush Patel, and long-time school bully, Elwood Bledsoe, were amongst those selected to be enrolled, Grady can't help but be sad. However, eventually, he received his enrollment letter, making him a student at Templeton Academy. Grady and his friends soon find themselves on a mysterious island, learning the secrets of the Codex, an ancient book of power. Much to Grady's woe, his old nemesis Elwood finds himself in the good graces of Dr. Templeton's daughter, Valencia. With someone powerful trying to steal the Codex, Grady and his friends must stop it from happening at any cost.

Harry Potter meets Sky High. If you're a fan of young adult stories where protagonists go to mysterious schools to train their superhuman abilities, don't miss out on Grady Whill and The Templeton Codex. Author Carole P. Roman tells an action-packed tale about a young teenager and his friends learning to hone their powers and eventually holding their own, standing up against an adversary far more powerful than themselves. The characters are well-developed and easy to root for. I immensely enjoyed the dynamic between Grady and his friends, especially his relationship with Aarush. Overall, I had an absolute blast reading Grady Whill and The Templeton Codex, and highly recommend it to young adult readers.

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex: A Superhero High School Adventure by Carole P. Roman is the type of young adult adventure story that will be around for a long time, and will entertain generations of avid readers. Templeton Academy is now open, the best and newest school in the universe. Gaining admission is the dream of almost everyone that Grady Whill knows. His friend, Aarush Patel, is one of the five hundred handpicked special students who will attend this very exclusive high school. Grady, who was orphaned early in life, sees no reason why his guardian, Uncle Leo, would not let him attend Templeton Academy. Tuition is free and the academy is providing grants. But Uncle Leo thinks that the school is not a good idea. However, one thing that Uncle Leo said is definite: Attending Templeton Academy is Grady’s birthright.

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex is a high-octane young adult adventure novel, dripping with chutzpah, filled with courage, danger, and not surprisingly, coming-of-age themes. Carole P. Roman has created a world that is unique, inhabited by characters that young people can easily relate to because of their similar concerns about growing pains. High-spirited kids populate this universe, but it does have its host of grownup characters that add zest and intrigue to the storyline. What makes this story truly stand out is its focus on the lives of its characters, as they not only deal with crime but also the challenges of everyday life. This keeps the story grounded in reality despite its fantastic elements. This book has a strong message and theme that deserves to be read.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” Powerful words from a powerful man, a little man as seen by many, Gandhi influenced world powers and brought many to their knees with his simple words. Aarush is often quoting Gandhi, especially when he’s influencing his best friend, Grady Whill, and pointing out that the school bully, Elwood, may be large and may exert his size to his bullying advantage, but he was not undefeatable. This was something Aarush insisted Grady realize and, when the three of them (yes, unfortunately, the school bully was chosen as well) were sent to Templeton Academy, a high school for superheroes, Grady must put his friend’s belief to the ultimate test. And, in the process, he must discover who he is and who his parents were. Not to mention the mysterious and powerful force to be unveiled in the Templeton Codex.

Carole P. Roman’s young adult novel, Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex: A Superhero High School Adventure, has all the makings of a grand adventure. Like the superheroes of the Harry Potter series, Grady and Aarush must overcome bullying, harassment, and discover their inner powers and talents and learn how to use them, not only for their own survival but also for the betterment of the world around them. The author has the reader gripping their seat at the offset with an exciting opening scene on the crest of an erupting volcano. Then, using expert flashback techniques, the author leads the reader through the months that led up to this epic moment in time. With a detailed descriptive narrative, great character development, and compelling dialogue, the author has created a story that will have young readers engaged to the very end.

Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex: A Superhero High School Adventure by award-winning author Carole P. Roman is a stirring Young Adult novel that should inspire young readers. Templeton Academy, the prestigious exclusive superhero high school, is opening its doors for the first time. Grady Whill thinks he won’t be accepted and does not even bother to try. On the other hand, Arush Patel, his best friend, is accepted and unknown to Grady fills in an application for him too. Both boys are later accepted but the school bully, Elwood Bledsoe, also makes it. Strangely enough, Grady’s uncle disapproves of the idea but in the end, after all these bumps, Arush and Grady finally make it to the school campus where they will find themselves on a learning adventure of a lifetime!

Carole P. Roman’s Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex: A Superhero High School Adventure is narrated from a strong point of view, that of its main character, Grady Whill. The story is fast-paced and action-packed, and it is an enchanting read. The author’s fluid use of language and descriptive style is evident. With a number of entertaining secondary characters, and a relatable main character, Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex is one of those books that should appeal to readers of all ages. It is a unique coming-of-age story and there are many valuable lessons that can be learned from the book. There’s also effective dialogue and a good balance of tension and release that I find charming. Highly recommended!