Sidekicks

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.

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.

Some soft swearing, like "holy crud" and name-calling such as "pervert" or "butt." Also, people are described as "pissed off."

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.