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Library | Call Number | Status |
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Searching... Mount Angel Public Library | + GN SANTAT | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... McMinnville Public Library | Santat, D. | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Silver Falls Library | YA 741.5 SANTAT | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Woodburn Public Library | Santat | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Captain Amazing, superhero and saviour of Metro City, is getting old. He's out all hours battling arch-villains, catching thieves, and helping little old ladies cross the street. He doesn't even have time for his house full of pets. He needs-a sidekick!
Captain Amazing's pets agree. But each one of them thinks he should get the sidekick spot-and a chance for one-on-one time with the Captain. Get ready for sibling rivalry royale as pets with superpowers duke it out for the one thing they all want-a super family.
A bold and brilliant graphic novel romp by whiskid Dan Santat.
Author Notes
Dan Santat is a Caldecott Medal-winning and New York Times bestselling author. Writer of many picturebooks, his first picturebook was The Guild of Geniuses.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
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.-Benjamin Russell, Belmont High School, NH (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Santat brings the world of superhero pets to life in this charming story. Captain Amazing is an aging human super-hero who announces to the world that he needs a new sidekick. His animal companions agree-and each thinks he is the right creature for the job. Fluffy, a hamster; Shifty, a chameleon; Manny, a cat; and Rosco, a dog, compete, with all sort of interspecies rivalries emerging. When Captain Amazing's life is on the line, however, they find a way to come together. Santat's lively, colorful illustrations convey the action and humor that infuse the tale. The book functions both as a parable of sibling rivalry and overworked parents stretched too thin, and as a rollicking adventure tale. Ages 8-12. (July) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Veteran superhero Captain Amazing is getting old, and when he decides to hold auditions for a new sidekick, his pets -- a dog, a hamster, and a newly acquired chameleon -- hope to win the role. They each train seriously for the next month, but while fighting crime they often get into more trouble than they bargained for. On one such escapade, they run into a mysterious cat who turns out to be Captain Amazing's erstwhile pet and sidekick. Meanwhile, Captain Amazing's nemesis, Dr. Havoc, has recently been released from prison and has stolen a powerful belt that jeopardizes the entire city. Of course, only with the combined help of all the sidekicks does the aging superhero prevail. Santat, who has previously illustrated picture books and chapter books, breaks welcome new ground here with what should be a popular graphic novel, thanks to the genre mash-up (animals and superheroes) and the appealing, cartoonish artwork with bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors. Young readers, moreover, may relate to the pets that simply yearn to spend more quality time with their overextended, workaholic owner. jonathan hunt (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
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) ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
When Captain Amazing is laid up due to his peanut allergy, his pets secretly take up crime-fighting duties and end up in a trial by fire as they get tangled in a supervillain's secret plot. Despite the presence of its charming animal characters, Santat produces much more of a dramatic adventure than a hilarious romp, which is by no means a bad thing. Realistic relationship dynamics come out as Fluffy the hamster must welcome and learn to count on newcomer Shifty the Chameleon, and a hint of psychological nuance is displayed in the static between the estranged runaway cat Manny and his former protege Roscoe the dog. Well-crafted art balances the lighthearted and the rough-and-tumble and works equally well for the character moments and the epic battle at the end. Santat also cleverly uses the action to highlight the importance of smarts over simple brawn. Though not as emotionally intense, the combination of drama and superhero action compares favorably with The Incredibles.--Karp, Jess. Copyright 2010 Booklist