School for Sidekicks

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 7, 2015

Review

When thirteen-year-old, ordinary, superhero-obsessed, Evan Quick gets blasted with an energy ray at an amusement park, his future as a normal kid is changed forever. The event activates his untrained metahuman powers and he unintentionally responds to a superhero crisis involving his childhood Mask hero Captain Commanding. During the battle, Evan saves his hero but becomes injured. When Evan regains consciousness, he finds that the story about the event has been changed to protect the Captain's ego for the mass media and Evan has secretly been enrolled in the secret school for metahumans. Evan finds that he has super strength and is able to heal himself. All the students have a moniker, complete with branding, that correspond to the powers they possess. Evan, aka Meerkat, is placed under the responsibility of a recovering alcoholic Mask named Foxman. As Meerkat and his new friends become aware of a conspiracy within the school and the blurring of lines between Masks (hero) and Hoods (criminals), they must push themselves to work as a team. Although this is an action-packed, sci-fi fantasy, themes of friendship, loyalty and the special first kiss are explored, adding a depth to the various characters. Hand this to superhero enthusiasts and those who love some action with their comedy.

Overall Book Score: very good