MONDAY: Sidekicks

Summary 
Sidekicks opens on the premise of what happens when puberty and superhero tights collide, creating an embarassing situation for Bright Boy, sidekick to Phantom Justice. The wardrobe malfunction becomes a significant distraction for Bright Boy - and his alter ego, Scott. He's mortified by what happened, humiliated because people are calling him a pervert (when he knows he is really just a normal 13 year old boy), and resentful when his "mentor" Trent/Phantom Justice doesn't take him seriously about the need for a costume change.

All of this sets up the relationships of the primary characters and is crucial to the rest of the story. Phantom Justice and Bright Boy are back to fighting their nemesis Dr. Chaotic and his sidekick Monkeywrench when BB and MW find out they know each other. They go to the same school and even have classes together - oh, and Monkeywrench is a girl. Each of the teens discovers that their assumptions about eachother - and about their super hero world - aren't exactly accurate.

Review
I really enjoyed this book, although I discovered quickly that it wasn't going to be a good fit for my second grader, who was my original reason for buying it. The author did a great job of writing a realistic portrayal of the angst and conflicting emotions for Scott. Fun interplay between the characters. Fantastic twists and surprises. The ending could be setting up for a sequel (which I would immediately buy and read). Mythology is not overly complicated, and there are still some "holes" in the backstory that could be developed in future stories.


4.5 out of 5 stars

Recommended for: Youth over 12 (Amazon ranks it for "young adults" and I agree. My local bookstore had it in the children's section - I think the cover art makes it seem like it would be for younger readers, but I wouldn't recommend that), readers who enjoy superhero stories with a romantic element

Cautions: a few swear words and the opening premise make this book most appropriate for teen readers.

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