Sidekicked

The Avengers meets Louis Sachar in this hilarious and action-packed tween novel by John David Anderson, which Publishers Weekly called a "superhero story that any comics fan will enjoy" in a starred review.

Andrew Bean might be a part of H.E.R.O., a secret organization for the training of superhero sidekicks, but that doesn't mean that life is all leaping tall buildings in single bounds. First, there's Drew's power: Possessed of super senses—his hearing, sight, taste, touch, and smell are the most powerful on the planet—he's literally the most sensitive kid in school. Then there's his superhero mentor, a former legend who now spends more time straddling barstools than fighting crime. Add in trying to keep his sidekick life a secret from everyone, including his parents, and the truth is clear: Middle school is a drag even with superpowers.

But this is all before a supervillain long thought dead returns to the city of Justicia, superheroes begin disappearing at an alarming rate, and Drew's two identities threaten to crash head-on into each other. Drew has always found it pretty easy to separate right from wrong, good from evil. It's what a superhero does. But what happens when that line starts to disappear?

• Superhero Sidekicks in Training: At H.E.R.O., Drew Bean is learning the ropes, but his mentor is a washed-up legend who spends more time at the bar than saving the day.
• Not-So-Super Superpowers: With super senses as his only power, Drew is literally the most sensitive kid in school—not exactly ideal for fighting supervillains.
• A Hilarious Coming-of-Age Story: Perfect for fans of funny, relatable stories about navigating the perils of middle school, making friends, and discovering the hero you were meant to be.
• Action-Packed Adventure: When a villain from the past returns to Justicia and superheroes start disappearing, it’s up to Drew to step up before his city, and his secrets, are exposed.