Sidekicks

November 1, 2003
Gr 6-8-Guy Martin, 13, has all the usual middle school worries-homework hassles, popularity problems, and an unrequited passion for the most beautiful girl in school. However, he also has some very unusual complications. As "Speedy," the world's fastest boy, he is part of a secret crew of apprentice superheroes. With its super sponsors from the League of Big Justice, the Sidekick Club helps defend the world against evil. Guy, unfortunately, is assigned to less-than-super Pumpkin Pete ("I have all the powers of a pumpkin!") and his sidekick duties usually involve a lot of clean-up work. But when the super villains of the Brotherhood of Rottenness take out the Big Justice headquarters-and apparently the entire League as well-it is up to the sidekicks to save the day. Comic-book and superhero traditions come in for some broad but good-natured ribbing. Adult good guys speak in exaggerated, mock-heroic tones while villains cackle maniacally and threaten mayhem at every step. The Boy and Girl Wonders bicker among themselves in typical teenage fashion and often show scant respect for the senior factions-good and evil alike. Adults may be put off by some of the adolescent humor, such as the outlaw Le Poop and his bodily stench arsenal, but, like the off-the-wall chapter titles and cartoon illustrations, it's all part of the joke. It's worth considering for readers who have outgrown Dav Pilkey's "Captain Underpants" series (Scholastic) but aren't ready for the adult absurdity of Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Crown, 1989).-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2004
Thirteen-year-old Guy's ability to run over ninety miles an hour has earned him a spot with the League of Big Justice where he and other kids with amazing talents serve as sidekicks to superheroes. In these two books, the sidekicks battle Peenoh Keeoh, who plans to turn everyone into puppets, and a giant robot bent on destruction. The overly busy stories are rife with silly humor; the illustrations have the same slick quality. [Review covers these titles: "Sidekicks" and "Sidekicks: Operation Squish!". ]

(Copyright 2004 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)