Sidekicks

Review

Common Sense Media says

Fun superhero saga with coming-of-age themes.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this superhero-themed book has comic book-style violence: Superheroes knock each other around, a woman is thrown off a roof,
high-tech weapons are used to stun, short-circuit nervous systems, and
otherwise cause mayhem, etc. There is some borderline swearing (like "pissed" or "holy crud"), and the book starts out with Bright Boy's embarrassment over becoming aroused
while saving a young woman -- something that's pretty obvious given his yellow tights. Later, he falls for his nemesis, and there is some kissing. As in most superhero stories, good triumphs over evil just
before the bad guy almost wins. But this book offers a deeper message
about how hard it can be to tell the good guys from the bad. And on
another level, this is a story of a boy who gains self-confidence, and
his own identity, with the help of a good friendship.

  • Educational value2
    This story will encourage kids to think both about identity issues -- and also about other deep topics, such as how tricky it can be to identify the good guys, or how consumers can be manipulated. 
  • Positive messages4
    As in most superhero stories, good triumphs over an evil just before the bad guy almost wins. But this book offers a deeper message about how hard it can be to tell the good guys from the bad. And on another level, this is a story of a boy who gains self-confidence, and his own identity, with the help of a good friendship.   
  • Positive role models4
    Both of the sidekicks have good hearts and struggle to find themselves -- and do what is right. Allison (Monkeywrench) has figured things out a bit more and helps Scott (Bright Boy) gain self-confidence. They learn to look beyond the obvious and realize that things are not always as black and white as they seem.
  • Violence3
    Mostly sock-em, bop-em comic book violence: superheroes knock each other around, a woman is thrown off a roof, hi-tech weapons are used to stun, short-circuit nervous systems, and otherwise cause mayhem. One character is hit by a poisoned dart and left to die, and another is beat up by bullies and knocked cold with a tire iron.
  • Sex2
    The book starts out with Bright Boy's embarrassment when he is aroused while saving a young woman. His embarrassment is aggravated by the fact that he is wearing tights and is being filmed by the local TV station.  Later, he falls for his nemesis, and there is some kissing.
  • Language2
    Some soft swearing, like "holy crud" and name-calling such as "pervert" or "butt." Also, people are described as "pissed off."
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
CloseExpand to see more details

What's the story?

After Scott Hutchinson (a.k.a Bright Boy) was adopted
by benefactor Trent Clancy (a.k.a Phantom Justice), he was trained to become Phantom's super-fast, super-strong sidekick. But when an embarrassing incident involving his yellow tights is caught by TV cameras, Bright Boy begins to rethink not only his costume but also his entire life. Perhaps it's time for him to stop simply being a supportive diversion during Phantom's heroic capers. But life quickly grows complicated as Bright Boy tries to stand on his own: Is Phantom truly on the side of good? Can he make his own decisions and still fulfill his obligations to the people who have raised him? And how can nearly invisible Scott get noticed when he is not wearing his Bright Boy costume and fighting for justice? A clever twist involving his nemesis, Monkeywrench -- the sidekick to the book's main villain -- and Jake, a bully at school, brings all the action to a head in a story that involves romance, an attack on corporate greed, the triumph of good over evil, and some old-fashioned coming-of-age themes. 

Is it any good?

 

The writing is fast, funny, and irreverent in a way that tweens will love. There are many twists and turns to keep them engaged: Readers will think they know who to root for, but then the author throws them a curve, taking his story to a whole new level involving corporate greed, high technology -- and a moral dilemma. Teens can enjoy this as a comic book without the drawings, or they can immerse themselves in the deeper issues about identity, the media's influence, and how tricky it can be to tell the good guys from the bad guys. 

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about superhero stories. What makes them so popular with boys in particular? How does this book's take on good and evil differ from other superhero stories you know? Why do you think the author chose to tell his story this way? 

  • This book has a plotline about corporations using the superheroes, and the media, to influence kids feelings (and consumer choices). What are some ways that companies try to reach you in real life (think about everything from billboards on the freeway to advergames)? Should they be able to market directly to kids? Families may want to check out Common Sense Media's articles on consumerism.

This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
Kid, 12 years old
June 16, 2011
AGE
11
 
Sidekicks review by 11 year old
Well.... I'm an 11 year old and I read this book.....It has some bad stuff in it! It talks about having S**. It also talked about the "banana". I recomend this for MATURE 11 year olds. It is not good to start thinking the kid sometimes as a role-module... parents.... I think you should read it... you'll know what I mean.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (23) | Had useful details (18) | Read my mind (19)
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
Author:Jack D. Ferraiolo
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Adventure
Publisher:Amulet Books
Publication date:May 1, 2011
Number of pages:320
Hardcover price:$16.95
Publisher's recommended age(s):10 - 14
Read aloud:12
Read alone:12
This review was written by Patricia Tauzer
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other kids with special powers
For kids who love fantasy
Browse more books
External sites
 

vote now

Will you read Sidekicks?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it