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Sidekicks

Jack D. Ferraiolo (Goodreads Author)

4.03 · Rating details · 1,250 ratings · 224 reviews

Batman has Robin, Wonder Woman has Wonder Girl, and Phantom Justice has Bright Boy, a.k.a. Scott Hutchinson, an ordinary schoolkid by day and a superfast, superstrong sidekick by night, fighting loyally next to his hero.

But after an embarrassing incident involving his too-tight spandex costume, plus some signs that Phantom Justice may not be the good guy he pretends to be ...more

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Hardcover, 320 pages

Published May 1st 2011 by Harry N. Abrams

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Average rating 4.03 ·

Rating details

· 1,250 ratings · 224 reviews

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Jun 13, 2015 Tommy Hancock rated it it was amazing

This is my surprise love of 2015 so far(meaning something I knew nothing about and had low hopes for), and I doubt if that will change by New Years.

I expected a fun superhero read: I got that.
I expected something lighthearted and kid friendly: I got about 30% of that.

If I had to criticize anything about the book it's be the cover. Not because I dislike it. I love it, as far as art goes. But I think a lot of the people who would love this story will pass it over thinking it's going to be too kidd ...more

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Jun 14, 2015 Fabi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, pnr-uf, 5-star-books, ya, published-2011

I loved it! I don't read too many books intended for the under 12 audience. I would never have heard of this one, much less picked it up to read, if not for a fellow GR reader review that caught my attention.

I would categorize this as YA PNR since I know the middle school crowd reads those as well. That way, adults might also take an interest. I barely put the book down once I started reading it. It grabbed me from the very beginning and took me on a whirlwind of action, teenage angst, and betra ...more

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Mar 18, 2011 Leigh Collazo rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2011

6-word summary: Shy teen superhero falls for archnemesis.

Summary:After an embarrassing super-sidekick wardrobe malfunction, Bright Boy (a.k.a. student Scott Hutchinson) begins to question the motives of his superhero partner, rethinks an old enemy, and prepares to step out on his own.

The Good: I definitely think the tween set will like this one. It has numerous martial arts fight scenes, criminal masterminds, betrayal, secret identities, and first love. It is easy to read and moves fairly quickl ...more

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May 28, 2019 Sean Ryan rated it it was amazing

The theme of this book is to trust others. If Scott hadn't trusted other people throughout this book he would have died. If Scott hadn't listened to Jake and ran away from Phantom Justice when they were fighting, Scott would have died. If Scott hadn't trusted Monkey Wrench they would never have become allies and they would never have exposed Phantom Justices plan to the public.

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Jun 14, 2011 Gatorgal21 rated it really liked it

My sister and I just recently picked up some arcs, and Sidekicks was one of them. Masked by a couple young adult novels, I definitely was expecting it to be more of a sidekick (no pun intended) to what I thought would the "better" books. I was so wrong. I picked it up after one of said "better" books disgusted me so much I had to put it down (Misfit, see my review).Thinking I'd just start it quickly and then go to bed, I was totally unprepared for the kick Sidekicks had. It was amazing! The main ...more

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Nov 30, 2011 Becky rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya, guys, 5th-only, newbery-candidate-2012, fantasy

I put off reading this book because, being about superheroes, I suspected that it was totally a GUY book. Fantasy is not my favorite genre either, but my Mock Newbery guys loved it so much (and the girls are starting to weigh in positively too) that I knew I HAD to read it. WOW!! I was immediately drawn into this amazing adventure of modern kids, Scott and Allison, who are typical middle schoolers by day and Bright Boy and Monkeywrench, sidekicks of the warring Phantom Justice and Doctor Chaotic ...more

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May 01, 2011 Reader rated it liked it

Shelves: books-read-april-2011, meh-reads

Why is it so difficult to write a good superhero novel? There must be dozens out there but most of them are like Ferraiolo's Sidekicks. Which is it to say, they don't quite make the grade. Scott Hutchinson has been a plus/plus (super speed and super strength) for years. Posing as Bright Boy, the sidekick to Phantom Justice, Scott's never had a problem with his job or his employer until an embarrassing moment with his yellow tights and a pretty lady end up on all the news channels. Determined to ...more

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Jul 17, 2011 Cara rated it really liked it

Shelves: special-abilities, teen-fantasy, teen-boy, 2012, superhero

Do you think being a sidekick to a superhero sounds like the best job ever? If you answered the question (any answer will do), then this book is for you. Scott aka “Bright Boy” has been a sidekick for Phantom Justice aka Trent (his mentor and adopted dad) since he was 7. Unfortunately Scott is starting to outgrow his sidekick status, and he has definitely outgrown his tights. Since an awkward incident involving the aforementioned tights made ‘Bright Boy’ a laughingstock, Scott has started to ret ...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Josh Newhouse rated it really liked it

Tough book to review. Very wellwritten just like The Big Splash, fun, dark and twisty, managing to surprise me a couple of times which is not always easy...

However, be warned that nearly the first 100 pages are preoccupied with the feelings of the main character about being caught on video "standing at attention" in his costume (guys you know what I mean)... While this is handled humorously, and does play into guys worst nightmares, it makes the book skew more for upper middle, and pretty neatly ...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Mfly rated it it was ok

Shelves: young-adult

The author's gift for dialogue was there again this time but I think the(very cool)cover did a disservice to the book. The audience seemed to be around an 8th grade reader but the cover looked more 4th grade. I bought it for my 11-yr-old nephew, thinking it would be the same audience as The Big Splash but...my bad. Great ideas in here, gotta say it, but it seemed rushed in spots. Regardless, I'm keeping my eye on Ferraiolo.

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Aug 29, 2014 Brandon rated it really liked it

The book Sidekicks is about a child with an undefined destiny trying to find his way in a world of lies and mysteries. It is located in the near future. I would recommend this book to all people who like si-fi action books with a dash of romance. The only problem I found with the book is it has a slow start and complicated plot but, soon explains it's self near the end of the book. That is why I gave the book four stars.

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Sep 17, 2014 Goodwin Lu rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As I read on this book, I liked how the story set up for both characters' transformations, as the arch nemesis of our main character fall in love with the protagonist. It might seem a bit sudden and unbelievable, but considering the time frame, the romance is very sweet and is the foundation for the unbelievable plot twists (albeit there were too many in the end for my taste; hence only 4/5).

I really liked the "Dark Chapters", even meticulously examining the chapters, they managed to shock me As I read on this book, I liked how the story set up for both characters' transformations, as the arch nemesis of our main character fall in love with the protagonist. It might seem a bit sudden and unbelievable, but considering the time frame, the romance is very sweet and is the foundation for the unbelievable plot twists (albeit there were too many in the end for my taste; hence only 4/5).

I really liked the "Dark Chapters", even meticulously examining the chapters, they managed to shock me and give away little of their real plan and/or intentions with their purpose. You have to use connections, implications, careful reading skills to logically deduce the further events that come, and truly know how Phantom J. is cruel and heartless; even Dr. Chaotic had a little heart in him left to save his daughter Allison, and possibly Bright Boy too ("Whoever gave you this didn't give you the real deal")--and keep in mind, even with the real deal, Dr. C. had an antidote alongside with it. Dr. C. serves as the silver lining in the clouds, just enough light in him to be good. In fact, Allison even manages to put doubt into their "dastardly plans"--should they really be stopped? Dr. C. is only trying to help the public, and he thinks these harmless "plays" if earning his money, is alright to keep himself alive. Dr. C. serves as a greatly contrasting character against Phantom Justice and does the story well. However, the ending is very abrupt and very ridiculous, with random unexplained, poorly set-up twists in contrast to the real nice shock values of the Dark Chapters.

Nevertheless, overall this book was very fun, exciting, romantic, sweet, and interesting in my first read. My second read exploited all of its good and bad further--the plot twists were more shocking and set-up more nicely, the villains were much crueler and developed than the first time I read the book without much thought; even if the jokes got less funny on my second read and the ending was much more ridiculous and unexplained.

RE-READING reflection:
Sprinting across the top of the buildings, I ran across and punched my arch-nemesis in the face, teasing him, following with a kick in the shins. Narrowly dodging one of his blows, I back-flipped off the building, only to grab a nearby pole with one hand, turning around smoothly so as to land softly on the ground. Within only moments, my opponent had already followed through and landed in front of me, and once again, we were sparring. With my blood streams pumped full of adrenaline, I was practically fighting an imaginary enemy off as I first read the book. It was a thoroughly exciting experience, as the story was filled with vivid imagery, good action, and sweet romance.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The quote goes. Yet, the cover was the exact thing that drew me to Sidekicks. Filled with action, the cover art impressed me when I first borrowed it from the library two years ago. The mysterious question stated on the back also was the main reason that I borrowed the book. “How long can he stay on the sidelines and still hope to have a life?” The back cover asked, referring to the main character and his problems within the story. This question made me want to know how the main character still lived on as a sidekick, and how he was going to remain happy, even if he was not the main hero --as media portrays--who received all the attention saved all the people. I had got Sidekicks to reading for entertainment, and I was sure the answer to the question was going to be entertaining.
The book, when I first read it, was a script for an action film. The book quickly opens up with the sidekick, Bright Boy, of the hero named Phantom Menace, rescuing a threatened woman from a big, mentally short-sided kidnapper. The plot moves right to Bright Boy’s troubles of being embarrassed about his “lame” costume. The daily news teases the Boy, as his bright yellow shirt and pants only narrowly fit. As Bright Boy’s guardian, who is also the hero, exerts his control over him, especially stressing on his wearing the costume, the troubles and conflicts between them deepen. I instantly saw the problem in the beginning, which instigated the feeling of an action movie within me.
The real problem comes in one night in which Phantom is battling his arch-nemesis, Dr. Chaotic, both along with their sidekicks--and the two’s sidekicks’ identities are revealed. The two battle for a while as usual, but not for long. Soon enough, both of them rip off each other's masks during this particular night, revealing their true identities: it turns out they know each other personally from their school! The first time I read the book, I greatly enjoyed envisioning the following progress of the relationship between Bright Boy and Monkeywrench. At first, Bright Boy seems annoyed at Monkeywrench in the school day after the fight. However, later they learn to co-exist, as well as the fact that while they may be enemies in the “hero-villain-world in which they have to fight”, they don’t actually have act like enemies in the real world. I actually accepted this at first, as Monkeywrench explains her side of the story--why her villain and father, Dr. Chaotic, is actually doing good to the world. Through this, I foresaw that Phantom was actually fighting for a suspicious and unjust reason, although only vaguely.
As the problems tense up, Phantom and Dr. Chaotic eventually find out about the two main characters' relationship, and they both become angry. It turns out that, as foreshadowed in obscure terms within the “dark chapters”, they act as enemies only for the “hero” to earn money for “saving the city”, and splitting the money between them. They had planned to get rid of the sidekicks ever since Bright Boy complained about his costume, as they would earn more money from “battling over their fallen children”. However, while Phantom is totally into the plan, there is also a hint of doubt within Dr. Chaotic, as he seems to be ambivalent about the idea of killing his own daughter. I was on the edge of my seat as Bright Boy receives a deadly poison that could kill him, only to be saved by a bully in his school. It was such an unexpected, yet masterfully executed twist! The “bully” was, in reality, a “cover” for Bright Boy in order for attention to be drawn away from him. After Bright Boy recovers, he avenges justice and defeats Phantom with the help of Dr. Chaotic, who now realizes that true justice is more important than money. My heart warmed in the inside as, Monkeywrench was saved as well, and the book ends with a kiss as the duo go off to help people and fight crime. I applauded the author by the time I was done, and I decidedly loved the book, listing it in my mind as one of my favorites. I thought the book as a fun, excellent combination of action and romance, with a bit of comedy added to it, almost similar to a good movie.

The second time I read the book was quite interesting and different from the first time. Since I had already read it, I re-read the story at a slower pace than previous, and thus the illusion of an action film was blurred. In addition, while re-reading the book, no matter what the situation, I seemed to be deeper in thought about what the scenery really meant, and having read How to Read Literature Like a Professor, I looked more into the symbolism of the passages rather than the actual plot. The beginning was similarly funny, but this time it actually had an awkward mood to it, since the media’s teasing seemed actually quite long. I still felt the action and troubles following the beginning seen, although the story seemed more of an internal struggle than an overall physical struggle, regardless of the amount of sheer action. Furthermore, I noted that the “dark chapters” actually gave away far more than they should have when I examined the chapters and scrutinized the way the chapter was worded. Nevertheless, I still was satisfied by the amount of effort put into those two chapters to conceal--but still, foreshadow-- Phantom and Dr. Chaotic’s secret plans. I was impressed by how realistic the characters were shaped, and this deeper realization of character was not there before. This could have been due to the fact that over 9th grade English, I had to write essays about books from an analytic perspective about the purpose of the passage, and how the passage fulfills the purpose.

Before I had thought Bright Boy’s and Monkeywrench’s romantic relationship sweet and naturally accepted it, but this time, I had a more skeptical look at them. I had to try hard to imagine the time-gap between the chapters and the events that happened to put them into the romantic couple they were. The progress becomes almost ludicrous this time as I read on, as the two go off saving people while almost playing around with the crime-dealers, I couldn’t help but feel that this scenery was more symbolic rather than actual plot. As I read from How to Read Literature Like a Professor, the action was most times symbolic. This time, instead of just enjoying the action scenery, I thought about what the action and violence could mean. Maybe the author is presenting the problems of crime in the world, and that teenagers, when having good traits and ideals, can defeat the crime in the world. Maybe Phantom represents Greed itself, while Dr. Chaotic represents a changed man. As the final twists were revealed in the book, I got the feeling that, they were all too sudden for the plot to make sense. I didn’t accept the twists immediately as I had previously. Instead, I thought about Monkeywrench’s original unwillingness to instantly reveal herself to Bright Boy. I connected to other stories about the mystery of people and how they didn’t want their true identity to be revealed for certain reasons. I concluded that this scenery not only set up a mystery but also problems that remained to be solved, even though the story was ending.

In summary, my two readings of Sidekicks were quite different. On balance, the book was of the same quality in both times. With a more analytical perspective, the parts that previously seemed humorous now seem unnecessary. The shocking twists proved to be a little frustrating and a bit sudden too. On the other hand, the villains were really shaped in this re-read, now that I understood the true meanings of the “dark chapters” rather than reading vague wordings and being confused. In addition, I connected to other literary pieces and went so far as to infer what an event symbolized within the book. Overall I would say I was glad I re-read Sidekicks. Even with its downsides, it still resembled enough of the original action film-style for me to enjoy the book thoroughly. Though the two “people” I “fought” were different from my first read to my re-read, both times were exciting and pleasurable experiences.

Third re-read:
Obviously least exciting, but I liked the action-packed sequences and the ending started making more sense to me. I didn't realize that Phantom, the technical "main villain" managed to escape in the end. Not much else to note. This book isn't very good to re-read too much. ...more

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Dec 07, 2017 aj rated it did not like it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. what even was this? it's so ridiculous whyyyy . . .

Mr. Scotty, our main character, is a bratty jerk. Monkeywrench is almost kinda good.

that romance? wha? they just kiss and jump around and mock-fight? cute i guess? haaaa there's more stuff you can do ya know

"plus intelligent is SO RARE there's like only one of them!" 300 pages later . . . "oh look! like, four or five plus intelligent supers! and most of them are on the same side!! :DDD" but like,,,,the "intelligent" pluses aren't even all that i what even was this? it's so ridiculous whyyyy . . .

Mr. Scotty, our main character, is a bratty jerk. Monkeywrench is almost kinda good.

that romance? wha? they just kiss and jump around and mock-fight? cute i guess? haaaa there's more stuff you can do ya know

"plus intelligent is SO RARE there's like only one of them!" 300 pages later . . . "oh look! like, four or five plus intelligent supers! and most of them are on the same side!! :DDD" but like,,,,the "intelligent" pluses aren't even all that intelligent. apparently intelligence = doing well in school, inventing stuff, and talking via minds? there aren't other types of intelligent?

where were the helicopters, the news media, all those people following supers around fighting--where were they at the end? when all de supers were punching each other in public? no one? else? was? there? for? some? reason????

"WordGirl" on PBS kids is better than this book, gosh. at least that doesn't have dopey romance.

i couldn't tell if this book was supposed to be middle grade or YA. everything felt MG--the poor writing style that tried to be witty and repeatedly failed miserably was a factor in that, except that's an insult to some MG's i've read--except for all the kissing and "perv" stuff.

that "perv" thing yeah really annoyed me. it got old the minute scott got to school and everyone was chatting about it--but the author wouldn't let it DROP. maybe instead of getting angry all the time scott could show some CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT and grow up and get over it. DO something about it, not just mope and get angry until finally letting his archnemesis buddy buy him a flippin costume.

he got? so? angry? for? no? reason? all? the time? like yikes dude chill a little. don't be mean to your butler. you should get some help if you wanna beat up the kids at school. you should talk to someone. or, you know, make a friend. yeah why didn't he do that. he had that entire table of quiet kiddos at lunch--TALK to them. you know someone's gonna be awful at relationships if he's mean to his father-figure, hasn't even tried to make a friend all his life, and immediately jumps to making out with a girl with muddy morals. i guess scott forgot to pick up his common sense the day it was being given out at wal-mart--must've been busy . . . getting . . . "put ellipses everywhere . . . for no reason" . . . instead.

k but that last scene where he finds monkeywrench again and discovers addison was with jake and everyone else the entire time. and he says "i need time." and she's crying and like "i'll wait forever." and he dramatically leaps away. THEN FLIPPIN COMES BACK IMMEDIATELY THE FLIPPIN JERK I CAN'T EVEN YOU MADE HER CRY YOU UNFORGIVING PIECE OF TRASH I CAN'T EVEN--PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER GROW UP ALREADY I'M SICK OF YOUR BRATTINESS.

yeah the two big moods of this book is "smh" and "lol what" ...more

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Aug 02, 2020 Stacey Adams rated it really liked it

Fun, interesting story about hiding your identity as a super heroes sidekick. Phantom Justice's sidekick/assistant/trainee is Bright Boy aka Scott, who hates his Bright Boy costume especially after an exceptionally embarrassing situation has the whole school talking....luckily his identity is hidden and no one knows they're laughing at Scott. But it's still a lot to bear. As if school wasn't hard enough to begin with Scott has to act like a wuss when being picked on by Jake and his hard headed g ...more

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Mar 11, 2019 Jdtolbert2003yahoo.com rated it really liked it

Shelves: junior-high-books

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 03, 2018 Alamdar Meghani rated it really liked it

This was a great book. An amazing job by Jack D Ferraiolo. The book was nothing like i thought it would be like, it was full of twist and turns that i personally did not expect at all. It is about a boy, Scott Hutchinson, a.k.a. Bright Boy that is having ;its of problems. In school their is this girl that happens to be his nemesis, Monkey Wrench. He is also having trouble at home with Phantom Justice. He hates his costume, which is very tight and small. Phantom Justice is his guardian and his s ...more

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Sep 23, 2017 John rated it it was amazing

Sidekicks 5/5 Stars!

This novel was a really big surprise for me! When I picked it up from the library, I figured it'd be a fun read but didn't except much from it. I was wrong though! I found the world, and the characters in it to hook you in and made you want to read more. At first (I'd say the first few chapters), it was kinda the run of the mill YA book, but after that I was kept turning pages and wondering what was coming next.

I love that this is a standalone novel, so I won't be let down b ...more

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Mar 24, 2018 Ben Werchowsky rated it really liked it

Ben Werchowsky
3/24/18
P.8
Play it Safe
Sidekicks by Jack D. Ferraiolo, 310 pages,2011, science fiction.
This book is about a boy named Scott Hutchinson whose dad is a superhero and has a butler who is good at fighting. Trent his father teaches Scott how to be a hero and gives him the name bright boy. Bright boy and Phantom Justice (Trent) fight many villains with their superpowers like super speed and strength. He finds out that one of the villains he is facing actually goes to his school. He find ...more

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Nov 12, 2018 Fredy rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 20, 2019 Shaoroun rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction, contemporary, young-adult, owned

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 30, 2018 Janet rated it really liked it

This is a fun book with some serious overtones for young adults! This is the story of a couple of super heroes who are still in high school. They end up learning each other's secret identity and Bright Boy in the yellow tights will never be the same. He is a side kick, but who is the main super hero and what is his issue? Even in Super Hero Land, the same issues of power and control persist. We listened to this book, and it was much fun!

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Jul 01, 2019 Marianne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, present-day, mine, get-more, young-adult

The cover of this book is awesome, and I was expecting an overly fluffy superhero sidekick lament. But I was pleasantly surprised to feel really engaged and interested through the book. Good pacing, good fights, realistic school concerns of kids, and good consideration of "real world" super hero problems.

I think this book suits well for young adult, but might have some mature things best suited for middle school over elementary school. Also reads well for Buffy-loving adults.

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Aug 26, 2020 TheBookishHobbit rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult-fiction, fantasy, books-i-own, superhero-anitheros, action

This was a fun random book I picked up at my local bookstore one day. I felt so bad for Scott, he is a young man after all and is forced wear tight yellow tights, not to mention he had a little "incident" that made him a laughing stock. I couldn't help but feel a little pissed that no one would take his concerns seriously. The plot was kinda predictable to me, but still a lot of fun. Great for young readers, especially boys!

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Dec 04, 2016 Dan Oldermusicgeek rated it liked it

A fun and entertaining book, if not breaking any new grounds. This kind of stuff has been told in comic books since the 90s.

But it was interesting getting in the head of a Silver Age type sidekick.

The book, though, took too many twists and turns at the end to produce a happy ending for my liking.

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Jan 18, 2018 The Angry Lawn Gnome rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: borrowed, fiction-ya, super-heroes, 2018

Honestly nothing beyond pure entertainment. But on that level, wow did this book work.

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Jan 23, 2018 Eon rated it it was amazing

amazing make more a.s.a.p.

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Apr 08, 2018 ems rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aмерика, sf, ya

ostensibly a ya novel about a superhero named "phantom justice" & his teen sidekick bright boy.... actually an excuse to ruthlessly mock/deconstruct batman ... i loved it ...more

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Jul 09, 2018 Hilarie rated it really liked it

This is a great middle school book. Sidekick Scott aka Bright Boy is struggling in his role now that he's an adolescent. Then he finds out the sidekick of his arch nemesis is one of his classmates.

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Aug 13, 2019 Austin Poulsen rated it really liked it

Entertaining. This was in the kids section of my overdrive library, so I was surprised by how adult some of the themes are. Wouldn’t recommend to someone younger than 12ish

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