After a run-in with the neighborhood bully, Ben is recruited by Headmaster Donald Kepler to attend the Kepler Academy boarding school, a "secret school for kids with special abilities." It turns out to be a school for kids with superpowers. Ben isn't sure why Kepler recruited him; he's never had a superpower and can't figure out what it might be. In the meantime, Ben meets and befriends an intriguing set of characters: his roommate Noah who burps fire after eating beef jerky; Penny who plays ukulele to get mice to do her bidding; Jordan the invisible kid; Professor Duncan, a living skeleton; hippie Coach Lindsay; and Abigail, head of security. Mysteriously, a good number of staff and students are coming down with an ailment that makes them smell like worms. When Ben and his friends come across the cause, Ben knows he needs to save the school even without a super power. The pace of adventure is hectic and at times the story feels fractured. However, reluctant readers and adventure fans may enjoy the out-of-the-ordinary school happenings and Ben's role as unexpected hero. ( )