Carole P. Roman is no stranger to the children’s lit genre. A glance at the award-winning author’s bibliography reveals a list of over fifty titles. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that her “superhero high school adventure,” GRADY WHILL AND THE TEMPLETON CODEX, bears all the hallmarks of an instant classic. From the timeless themes to the instantly-memorable cast of characters, Roman’s series debut is ready-made for a new generation of readers in search of a multipart, coming-of-age epic to call their own.

The story is set at Templeton Academy, an ultra-prestigious high school that’s about as exclusive as they come. With an annual worldwide enrollment of only five hundred students, Grady Whill barely gives Templeton a passing thought. And why would he? The way Grady sees it, if his autism wasn’t a disqualifier, then his uncle’s vehement disapproval of the school certainly doesn’t bode well. Fortunately, others feel differently, including the powers that be at Templeton, as Grady soon learns that he’s been invited to attend. Of course, ultra-prestigious or not, Templeton is still a high school. This means Grady and his best friend, Aarush, soon find themselves dealing with all sorts of ‘freshman’ problems like merciless bullies, unrelenting homework, and, of course, girls. What follows is an action-packed adventure that makes for the perfect introduction to a (hopefully) ongoing series.

GRADY WHILL AND THE TEMPLETON CODEX is a brilliant take on an admittedly familiar premise. Yes, Grady is an orphan, and yes, Templeton is a mysterious school for ‘gifted’ children, but within a few chapters, any similarities between Grady and a certain parseltongued boy all but disappear. For one, GRADY WHILL AND THE TEMPLETON CODEX is a much more ‘grown-up’ first installment than your typical tween drama. High-school and college-age readers will immediately identify with many of the issues Grady and his peers face. That said, Roman does a commendable job of balancing contemporary themes with that oh-so-fleeting wide-eyed innocence that defines the freshman experience. By resisting the all-too-prevalent trend toward an overtly-sexualized high-school experience, Roman succeeds in delivering a story that ultimately feels timeless. Roman’s writing is also remarkably sharp. She wisely side-steps information dumps in favor of dialogue-driven exposition and succeeds at painting one vivid scene after another.

For all of its strengths, GRADY WHILL AND THE TEMPLETON CODEX’s greatest asset might be Roman’s consistent focus on representation and inclusivity. Be it autism, body image, or even good ol’ fashioned self-esteem, the New York-based author subtly explores a myriad of issues, highlighting and acknowledging many of the challenges today’s kids face. There’s an ultra-fine line between platitudes and preaching, and it’s one that Roman skillfully walks from cover to cover. Most importantly, Roman never loses sight of that all-important ‘fun’ factor, a ‘must-have’ when it comes to teens and reading.

Carole P. Roman’s GRADY WHILL AND THE TEMPLETON CODEX is a thrilling, coming-of-age adventure that explores the timeless trials and tribulations of high school through a smart, contemporary lens.

~James Weiskittel for IndieReader