- Graphic Novels
- Ages 8–12
- Comedy
Sidekicks
Book 1 in SidekicksView the full series
An ageing superhero needs a sidekick, and his neglected pets, secretly developing powers of their own, all compete for the job just as his oldest nemesis strikes. A funny, big-hearted superhero adventure from a Caldecott winner.
- Best for8–12
- FormatGraphic
- Length218 pp
- Read aloud~1 hr40 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Comedic
- Conversational
Tone
- Funny
- Exciting
- Heartwarming
- Adventurous
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Captain Amazing, the hometown hero of Metro City, is so busy catching crooks that he barely has time for his pets, and he has not even noticed they are quietly developing superpowers of their own. So when the Captain announces he is finally looking for a sidekick, his eager animals leap at the chance: Roscoe the dog, Fluffy the hamster and Shifty the chameleon all audition for the coveted spot and the one-on-one time they crave, while somewhere out there his long-lost cat, Manny, is still missing. But as the pets squabble over who deserves it most, the Captain's oldest enemy, Dr. Havoc, launches a new scheme, and when the hero finds himself in real trouble it falls to his overlooked pets to save the day. Dan Santat's action-packed graphic novel is funny, warm and full of heart.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A superhero-pet graphic novel for 8 to 12s reading solo, with younger fans of 7 enjoying it shared. The action is comic-book exciting rather than scary, and the warm found-family heart gives it re-read value. It opens a series but works standalone.
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- Best fit · 8–12
- Read aloud · 7–10
- Independent · 8–12
Prose load
Light
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Workable
Works well for
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
2 / 5 · Mild
Best for
- Superhero fans
- Animal lovers
- Graphic novel lovers
- Reluctant readers
Avoid if
- Wants calm bedtime
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Captain Amazing's pets have secret powers, and when he needs a sidekick they all try out, a dog, a hamster and a chameleon all convinced they are the one. Then the villain attacks and the animals nobody took seriously have to save their hero. Funny, action-packed and surprisingly touching.
- Magic powers
- Proving yourself
- The underdog winning
- Animal companions
Why parents love it
Dan Santat brings real craft and warmth to a premise kids adore: superpowered pets who just want to matter to the person they love. It is fast, funny and emotionally smart, an easy win for a reluctant reader and a genuine pleasure to share.
- Shared humour
- Quick to read
In the series
Sidekicks.
2 books · open the series →
About the author & illustrator
Dan Santat.
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