In recent months I have bought a fair number of these beginning reader books focused on popular characters and movies, to the detriment of the actual writing. I always thought I would avoid this type of story, but when children come along, some previously held notions are abandoned. My daughters love superheroes, and they don't care if the writing is inferior. And our collection of Justice League beginning reader books grows.

The story in this one is not great, but it is better than other books of the same topic and format. Starro, an evil alien starfish - yes, an evil alien starfish - has taken over major cities across the country. Starro does this by attaching small starfish on the back of the necks of cops and other officials. How the ocean creature accomplished this is a mystery. Superman immediately recognizes Starro's handiwork, and knows he needs help, so he contacts some friends.

Along with the other members of the Justice League, he makes short work of the underwhelming bad guy, and scatters the mind control starfish far across the galaxy. The dialogue is incredibly cheesy, and begs to be read aloud with a puffed out chest and a superhero voice. The narrative is coherent, but so ridiculous that it makes me laugh when I read it. I consider the experience comparable to watching a Mystery Science Theater movie: so awful it's good. Add in my daughters' love of the book, and the inclusion of the Martian Manhunter, and I generously give the book a three-star rating. ( )