Unveiling the Superpower of Kids: A Conversation with Meredith Davis
Meredith Davis shares the superpower behind her Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor series.
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Every once in a while, a middle‑grade series comes along that feels both wildly fun and deeply meaningful — the kind of story that makes kids laugh, gasp, and turn pages quickly, while also nudging them toward courage, character, and compassion. Meredith Davis’s The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor is exactly that kind of series.
In this BookWorthy Podcast episode, I sat down with Meredith to talk about her books The Minor Miracle and The Minor Rescue, her creative process, her love for children’s literature, and the deeper message she hopes kids carry with them long after the last page.
What unfolded was a conversation full of joy, imagination, and a beautiful reminder that every child — superpowers or not — has something extraordinary to offer the world.
A Random Question… and a Cozy Candle
We always begin with a random question, and Meredith’s answer was delightfully simple.
When asked what small thing always makes her smile, she shared about a wooden‑wick candle that crackles like a tiny fireplace:
“It’s this candle… it crackles like a fire. Even though it’s Texas and warm here, I get to hear the sounds of the fire as I’m in my chair doing my morning thing,” she said.
As two Texans, we laughed about the irony of craving coziness in a state where “cozy” often translates to “sweaty.” But that little candle set the tone for our conversation — warm, inviting, and full of small delights.
Introducing The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor
Meredith’s series centers on Noah Minor, a seemingly ordinary seventh grader who discovers he has an extraordinary ability: he’s a gravitar, someone who can manipulate gravity.
“He thinks he’s ordinary, and then he finds out he has superpowers,” Meredith explained. “But I really believe kids have superpowers too — friendship, sacrifice, the ability to change someone’s life.”
The books blend:
action‑packed adventure
scientific curiosity
emotional depth
humor
and a strong sense of heart
They’re superhero stories — but grounded, thoughtful, and deeply human.
What Is a Gravitar?
One of the most fascinating aspects of the series is the science behind Noah’s abilities. Meredith didn’t want a typical superhero origin story. No radioactive spiders. No billionaire gadgets. No alien DNA.
Instead, she created Gravitas, a top‑secret government organization that trains kids with gravity‑manipulating abilities.
The director of Gravitas quickly informs Noah:
“You do not have a superpower — you have a scientific ability,” Meredith said, quoting her own character.
Noah learns that being a gravitar isn’t glamorous. It’s hard work. You don’t just snap your fingers and fly. You start small — pulling light objects, learning physics, understanding force and weight.
Meredith described the process:
“You have to be able to pull heavier than the weight of your body to go up… and you have to be pulling on something sturdy,” she explained.
She even incorporated real scientific concepts like gravitons, the theoretical particles associated with gravity.
And while she jokes that she’s “no scientist,” she credits her husband — and a lot of research rabbit holes — for helping her build a believable world.
Science, Superpowers, and the Force
One of the things I loved most about Meredith’s approach is how she makes the science feel accessible and fun. Kids reading the book might not realize they’re learning physics — they’re too busy imagining themselves pulling on invisible ropes of gravity.
Meredith compared it to “wiggling your ears” — a skill that requires finding the right mental connection. Noah has to discover his own “pull,” the internal mechanism that allows him to manipulate gravitons.
It’s clever, imaginative, and surprisingly grounded.
Book Two: Hidden New York and High‑Stakes Adventure
If book one leans into science, book two leans into history and mystery.
In The Minor Rescue, Noah and his friends head to New York City — and Meredith takes readers deep into the city’s hidden places.
She researched:
the secret train platform under Grand Central Station
the private 103rd floor of the Empire State Building
the bowling alley inside the Frick Museum
the ruins of Bannerman Castle on Bannerman Island
“There really is a hidden railroad… it was used to transport high‑powered people in secret,” she said. “And there really is a bowling alley in the Frick.”
These real‑world details make the story feel rich and immersive. Kids get adventure, but they also get a taste of history and architecture — without ever feeling like they’re in a classroom.
What Meredith Hopes Kids Take Away
Meredith’s books are fun — but they’re also layered with meaning.
In book one, she hopes kids walk away with a sense of their own worth and capability:
“I had this whole campaign… tell me your superpower. Kids named things that felt ordinary, but they recognized them as gifts,” she said.
In book two, she leans into the mission of Gravitas: protect and defend all that is true, good, and beautiful.
“You don’t have to have a superpower to do that,” she said.
She also explores themes like:
pride
temptation
listening to the wrong voices
choosing friends wisely
responsibility
sacrifice
Noah makes mistakes — big ones. He uses his abilities the wrong way. He trusts the wrong people. He lets his ego get the best of him.
And that’s the point.
Kids see themselves in Noah. They see the consequences of choices. They see the importance of humility, wisdom, and courage.
The Power of Illustrations
One of the standout features of the series is the interior artwork by Billy Yong.
“It was such a thrill to see him illustrate my characters… it helps you look at your story in a different way,” Meredith said.
Every chapter includes at least one illustration — a gift to reluctant readers or kids transitioning from graphic novels to longer books.
Parents have told her the illustrations make the books more accessible, more inviting, and more re‑readable.
And Meredith even dreamed up an activity for kids: rearranging illustrations into comic‑style panels or drawing their own scenes. It’s a brilliant way to help kids think visually and narratively.
Meredith’s Author Journey
Meredith didn’t grow up dreaming of being an author — though she always loved children’s books.
She studied copywriting in college, thinking she needed a “practical” career. But she ended up working in advertising with numbers — and feeling deeply unhappy.
Then a friend handed her James and the Giant Peach.
“It just blew my mind… that book changed the trajectory of what I was trying to do,” she said.
She began writing in her cubicle, tucked away in the farthest corner she could find. Eventually, she quit her job and took a full‑time position at a children’s bookstore.
It was transformative.
“We were allowed to take home crates of books at night… I adored it,” she said.
She learned the industry. She learned what kids love. She learned how stories shape hearts.
And she never looked back.
Meredith’s Favorite Book
When asked about her favorite book, Meredith didn’t hesitate long:
“It’s my chicken noodle soup book… I’ve reread it more than anything else,” she said.
She even attended a writing retreat on Prince Edward Island — a dream for any Anne fan.
We bonded over our shared love for the 1990s film adaptation, the soundtrack, and the timeless charm of Anne Shirley.
What’s Next for Meredith Davis
Meredith is currently co‑authoring a new three‑book series with Champ Thornton — and the premise is fantastic. Think Magic Tree House meets the Bible. But instead of time travel, the kids will tone travel — entering biblical stories without altering them.
“It allows me to revisit familiar stories and tell them through the eyes of a modern child,” she said.
It sounds imaginative, faith‑building, and full of potential.
Updates will be available at meredithldavis.com.
Final Thoughts
Meredith Davis writes the kind of stories kids devour — fast‑paced, funny, full of heart — but she also writes the kind of stories that linger. Stories that help kids see themselves differently. Stories that remind them they have gifts, choices, and influence. Stories that whisper:
You don’t need superpowers to make a difference. You already have what you need.
Whether your child loves superheroes, science, friendship stories, or simply a good adventure, The Amazing Adventures of Noah Minor is a series worth adding to your shelf.
Happy reading, friends.
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