“I felt like I was really there.” —Taylor “It was really, really funny” —Emily “I like how the cape held a secret.” —Maddie “I like how they solve problems by thinking not fighting.” — David “I thought it rocked.” —Zac

Now that they're in fourth grade, Finch and his three buddies are afraid their days of playing superheroes are over. But then Fin begins hearing a strange voice in his head. To his amazement, the voice belongs to his old plaything, a superhero cape made from a towel. It boasts it can turn “ordinary mortals into extraordinary ones.” And it wants him and the guys to form a secret society—The Society of Super Secret Heroes (SSSH). The Thinking Cape, as it wants to be called, has some wacky ideas about how to stop the school bully from bugging the guys, and how to help their new teacher make friends at school. Yet amazingly, things seem to be working out —until the magical mascot suddenly disappears. Can the four superheroes save it before its too late?

School Library Journal says, "This genial fantasy emphasizes individual courage and initiative. Although the cape talks like a fabulous being straight out of the Arabian Nights, its actual powers are fairly limited, forcing the boys to do most of the real work. Relationships realistically reflect the changes kids go through between primary and early intermediate grades....a worthwhile choice for transition readers anxious to tackle a "big book." What Booklist says of the THE GREAT CAPE RESCUE, “Shalant brings kids' fantasies into ordinary life...this will entertain kids who like stories about regular kids who turn superhero—even if they don't do it all by themselves. ” Kirkus Review says, “The realistic setting, believable banter...and moderate suspense...contribute to the success of this briskly paced story for middle-grade readers. Realistic fiction with just a touch of fantasy—or imaginative play—This is a nice reminder that boys have relationship troubles, too.”