Sidekicks    by Dan Danko, Tom Mason & Barry Gott Order:  USA  Can Little, Brown & Co., 2003 (2003) Hardcover, Softcover     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson It's a cute idea. Sidekicks sign on with real superheroes. They get to hang out at the Sidekick Clubhouse and wait for assignments from their sponsors - 'King Justice. Lady Bug. Captain Haggis. The Stain. Mr. Ironic. The Good Egg. Ms. Mime. Depression Dave. The Librarian ... Pumpkin Pete.' Speedy (dressed in 'cruddy Spandex' and a midnight blue outfit with yellow highlights, a glittery lightning bolt and goggles) can run 92.7 miles per hour and has been recently sponsored by Pumpkin Pete, whose assignments tend to involve cleaning stuff. But then a serious call comes in from the League of Big Justice Headquarters of Big Justice, and Speedy has to face the evil Professor's laser blasts and mortar-board on his own. He does get some help from Spelling Beatrice and Exact Change Kid, but then more minions of evil show up and destroy their Clubhouse. It ends up in a rocket ship, with Speedy against a puppet and his mind-slave, Santa Claws, the Dentist, and so on and so forth. Of course the good guys win the day, but Charisma Kid gets the PR and Pumpkin Pete gets the medal. You probably have the idea by now. It's all very silly and lots of fun. The middle school gang, who enjoy series like Captain Underpants, will love Sidekicks. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews