Sidekicked: A Review

I am happy to be a stop today on the blog tour for SIDEKICKED by John David Anderson. (Thanks to Walden Pond for the ARC.) Walden Pond Press published this book, and you might know some of their titles: JUNIPER BERRY, FELLOWSHIP FOR ALIEN DETECTION, and THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM.

SIDE KICKED by John David Anderson
Published: June 25, 2013
Published by: Walden Pond Press
Pages: 384


Andrew Bean lives in Justicia. He's in middle school, he's not a fan of homework, and his room is a "disaster". But Andrew's life is not typical. Three times a week, while his parents remain totally unaware, Andrew trains with five other teens in H.E.R.O. (Highly Environmental Revitalization Program). It's a secret program at school that trains sidekicks for superheroes, and each person in the group has a special power. To train, the students must miss gym and lunch some days (throughout the book Andrew tells us what he would have had for lunch that day), and that's not a bad thing for him.

Andrew has a special power, but this reviewer will not reveal that detail because reading it --John David Anderson writes it-- is part of what makes the book an enjoyable read.

There's plenty of conflict in the book and the plot is attention-grabbing (missing superheroes, the Suits, and Andrew's own superhero who is less than ideal), but what makes the book compelling is that Andrew tells it and that it comes from a middle schooler's point of view--his life with his best friend Jenna, masquerading to keep his secrets, and trying to just get along.

The writing is clever with just the right amount of humor, and I thought the concept was really a great one for a book. I think it's perfect for middle school (maybe late 5th grade and older), and the writing teacher in me believes it's a solid, entertaining example of the use of voice.

I enjoyed meeting Andrew (Drew), and I think, for me, that's a good test for a book. Also, I would love to read a sequel or a Book 2.

If you are interested in a entering a giveaway for a signed copy of this book and other great prizes, check out the Facebook page for the The Sidekicked Summer of Superheroes Sweepstakes .

I'll leave you with this great line from the ARC:
"When you're a teenager, everybody is waiting for you to be something or somebody else--your friends, your parents, your teachers. Sometimes you lose track." (p. 28)--John David Anderson.

Also, make sure you visit the rest of the blog stops at Sidekicked: The Superhero Blog Tour .