- Illustrated Chapter Books
- Ages 6–9
- Comedy
Pizazz vs The New Kid
Book 2 of 6 in PizazzView the full series
Book two in the super-funny, super-illustrated series. When a new super-powered kid called Jett arrives at school, Pizazz sets out to befriend her – until the leader of The Populars stirs things up into a rivalry, and the two supers have to save the world together anyway.
- Best for6–9
- FormatIllustrated
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Comedic
- Conversational
- Second person
Tone
- Funny
- Silly
- Irreverent
- Warm
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Pizazz knows exactly how it feels to be the new kid, so when Jett – who happens to be a fellow superhero – starts at school, she's determined to make her feel welcome. But things get complicated fast when Serena, ringleader of The Populars, decides the two supers should have a 'super-off' to settle who's best. Suddenly a hoped-for friendship turns into a full-blown rivalry, and Pizazz's jealousy threatens to get the better of her. Naturally, none of this matters when the world needs saving and the pair have to work together whether they like each other or not. Told in Pizazz's brilliantly sarcastic voice and stuffed with cartoons, comic-strip panels and doodles on every page, this second outing is a warm, laugh-out-loud story about jealousy, first impressions and the awkward business of making – and keeping – friends.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Pitched at 6–9s reading independently, with the heavily illustrated comic format supporting children just out of picture books and working well read aloud from about 5. The friendship-and-jealousy theme lands squarely in primary-school experience rather than reaching for older readers.
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- Best fit · 6–9
- Read aloud · 5–8
- Independent · 6–9
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
5 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Funny superhero
- Reluctant readers
- Friendship stories
- Highly illustrated
Avoid if
- Wants serious realism
Particularly good for children who are…
- Making friends
- Reluctant reader
- Starting school
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The playground politics feel spot-on – the awkwardness of wanting to be friends while secretly feeling jealous, all wrapped up in super-powered showdowns. Pizazz's running commentary is funny, and the comic panels make every mission a joy to race through.
- Magic powers
- Being special or chosen
- The underdog winning
- Friendship and belonging
Why parents love it
A reassuringly familiar friendship wobble – wanting to like someone but feeling threatened by them – told with lightness and lots of laughs. The generous illustration keeps momentum high for readers still building stamina.
- Shared humour
- Quick to read
In the series
Pizazz.
6 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Sophy Henn.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
