Module 13-Sidekicks (with book trailer)

Module 13-Graphic Novels and Series Books

-Graphic Novel

Sidekicks by Dan Santat

ISBN:  978-0-4392-9819-3

Audience (according to Kirkus Reviews):  Ages 8-12 years

Santat, D. (2011). Sidekicks. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books.

Pricing (as of 11/12)

*Amazon:      Hardcover:     $18.24

                        Paperback:    $10.39

Book Summary

            Dan Santat’s graphic novel begins with superhero Captain Amazing recognizing that he is not getting any younger and may need the help of a sidekick.  His lonely pets, Roscoe the dog, Shifty the chameleon, and Fluffy the hamster, all want the job and set about proving that they can fill the position.  In the meantime, former Captain Amazing sidekick Manny the cat re-enters their lives and, after a reunion involving a stuffed toy named Nummers, Shifty and Fluffy begin to train under the deposed partner.  But when super criminal Dr. Havoc is paroled and sets out to wreak vengeance upon their beloved Captain Amazing, all four pets must decide whether or not to work together in order to make the city (and their owner) safe from danger once again.

APA Reference

Santat, D. (2011). Sidekicks. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books.

Impressions

            Not being a huge fan of graphic novels myself, I was pleasantly surprised at all the positives that were readily apparent in this book.  The character of each pet is clear and distinct, and the change in several of them obvious.  The humor that is present will be clearly understood and appreciated by the intended audience and may even be enjoyed by those adults who might be reading along with a child.  The artwork is appealing and the storyline, although pure fantasy, made sense and could therefore be deemed “believable.”  Any elementary reader will enjoy this book, even those with higher reading levels as the text and plot do not seem babyish.

Professional Reviews

            << Gr 3-6-- Middle-aged superhero Captain Amazing is looking for a new sidekick after his superpowered house pet and former cohort Static Cat runs away. His dog, Roscoe, is posing as superhero Metal Mutt in order to audition for his replacement, while his other pets--a hamster and a chameleon--train secretly with Static Cat as well. The artwork has an easily accessible style, and the characters display a distinctly identifiable design; they are rendered in such a way that makes them seem both solidly dimensional and appropriately cartoony. The story has a strong narrative continuity with a number of small details returning with dramatic importance later on, and each character has a particular arc of exploration and discovery. Full of inoffensive broad comedy, and providing a number of characters to relate to, Sidekicks is perfectly enjoyable, while still lacking the particular spark or inventiveness that would make it memorable. It should come as no surprise that Santat also created Disney's The Replacements, as this story has the tightness and pacing of a cartoon feature.

Russell, B. (2011). Sidekicks. School Library Journal, 57(7), 122-122. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com.

<<A veritable bonanza of capes, heroes and pets with superpowers abounds in illustrator Santat's first solo graphic novel. Captain Amazing, the muscled hero of Metro City, is aging, and after a botched takedown of four nefarious villains, he decides he is in need of a trusty sidekick. Unbeknownst to Captain, his own pets are clamoring for the job (and for more quality time with their beloved owner). Fluffy, his hamster, has yet to discover his superpower, but this rodent has a lot of heart. Manny the cat (who has the ability to electrocute bad guys) had run away after his beloved toy Nummers went missing, but the prodigal cat returns just in time to help the Captain. Roscoe (a.k.a. Metal Mutt) has a gruff exterior but is fiercely loyal. Shifty, the newest addition to the family, is a color-changing chameleon who adds a dose of comic relief. The lovable menagerie of crime-fighting pets offers lots of laughs and a boisterous and exuberant storyline; Santat's illustrations are clear, engaging and neatly stacked into easy-to-read panels. While there is no mention of a sequel, subsequent volumes would certainly fly off the shelf faster than a speeding bullet, so here's hoping.

A vibrant volume sure to zoom, pow and swoosh its way into the hands (and hearts) of young superhero fans. Extremely entertaining. (Graphic fiction. 8-12)

Sidekicks. (2011). Kirkus Reviews, 79(11), 964-964. Retrieved from http://www.kirkusreviews.com.

Library Uses

            A librarian seeking to reach struggling readers, ESL students, or those who are generally hard to engage with a book, must have a variety of materials to attract and teach those populations.  Graphic novels fill this niche nicely.  And while some works that are classified in this category do not contain many of the literary elements that a reading teacher would like to see, Sidekicks can be used to teach story elements, character related skills, and prediction/inference type lessons.  Seeking out great examples of graphic novels may be a tedious task for a librarian, but one that could start with Sidekicks. As the GN collection develops, a librarian would do well to provide a handout or a short overview at a faculty meeting detailing the uses of this genre and therefore dispelling some of the objections that may arise and providing a response for teachers to give to those parents who may view graphic novels as useless in the field of education.

Book Trailer