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Sidekicks #2
Thick as Thieves
Caldecott Medalist, National Book Award winner, and New York Times bestselling creator Dan Santat returns to Sidekicks with a brand-new adventure in this second series installment! Suit up for high-octane action and laughs!
There's trouble at the Society of Superheroes!
Captain Amazing, the longtime hero of Metro City, has retired, and he's enjoying a much-needed vacation at the World's Biggest Ball of Yarn. But while he's away, there's trouble at home! A massive data breech disrupts the Society of Superheroes, and a flash drive containing sensitive information about Captain Amazing and other heroes winds up in reckless hands. Meanwhile, an unannounced visitor named Whipley arrives at the captain's house, and his pet sidekicks -- Manny, Roscoe, and Fluffy -- are skeptical of the stranger's intentions. The only sidekick excited by the visit is Shifty.
Could Whipley be Shifty's loving, long-lost brother as he claims? Or is he framing the sidekicks for his own personal gain and vengeance?
There's trouble at the Society of Superheroes!
Captain Amazing, the longtime hero of Metro City, has retired, and he's enjoying a much-needed vacation at the World's Biggest Ball of Yarn. But while he's away, there's trouble at home! A massive data breech disrupts the Society of Superheroes, and a flash drive containing sensitive information about Captain Amazing and other heroes winds up in reckless hands. Meanwhile, an unannounced visitor named Whipley arrives at the captain's house, and his pet sidekicks -- Manny, Roscoe, and Fluffy -- are skeptical of the stranger's intentions. The only sidekick excited by the visit is Shifty.
Could Whipley be Shifty's loving, long-lost brother as he claims? Or is he framing the sidekicks for his own personal gain and vengeance?
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 4, 2026
I really enjoyed the adventure and the writing. Santat takes predictable beats here and turns them into something interesting and exciting. I was pleasantly surprised at the emotional core.
And thank you, thank you for the recap in the beginning, because it has been ages since I read the first one.
And thank you, thank you for the recap in the beginning, because it has been ages since I read the first one.
July 18, 2026
Such a fun sequel!
September 16, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
After thwarting Dr. Havoc and retiring, Harry (Captain Awesome) is hanging out with his sister Kelly and getting ready to take a much needed vacation to Crochet-Con. His super pets, Manny the cat, Rosco the dog, Fluffy the hamster, and Shifty the lizard all stay home to tend the house. When Whipley, Shifty's long lost brother, shows up, it's clear that something suspicious is going on, especially since the reader has seen Whipley break into SOS headquarters disguised as Shifty in order to download information onto a flashdrive. Whipley makes an emotional appeal to Shifty (aka Gus), who misses his brother, and convinces him to leave his friends. Since Whipley has also impersonated the other pets and been mean to Shifty, it's not that hard to convince him. The two take off after Harry and Kelly. The Supers show up at the house wanting to investigate the SOS security breach, and the pets take off in the car. A lot goes down at Crochet-Con, and soon everyone is at Hoover Dam, where Dr. Havoc is holding court, having repaired himself but needing the energy to run his new robotic body. A group of discarded pets is in his thrall, and before long, an evil boa constrictor is hurting Fluffy! Shifty is devastated, and struggling to understand why Whipley is so evil, although his brother constantly reassures him that his horrible deeds are all performed so the two can be together. There is massive mayhem when the Supers arrive, and there is a giant tussle over the flashdrive. There are near death experiences, but Whipley survives, although he says goodbye to Shifty (in Fluffy's form) and leaves. We do see Dr. Havoc walk away, so perhaps we will see a third book in 2039!
Strengths: I was going to say that this was surprisingly philosophical for a superhero book, but really, superhero books are usually philosophical! Sure, there's plenty of running about, giant balls of yarn careening toward innocent bystanders, and falling off cliffs, but we also have glimpses of Harry questioning his retirement, Shifty's tense relationship with his brother, and the constant examining of purpose and meaning by all of the pets. Of course, my favorite moment was Manny's starstruck demeanor when faced with a GIANT ball of yarn. I don't crochet, but I loved the idea of Crochet-Con, and there's even a mini lesson about doing what one loves just for the sheer joy of it and not always expecting to win when Harry's sweater doesn't garner the prize he wants. I'm a big fan of Santat's illustration style, and while I personally would love to see him do more books like A First Time For Everything, my students will probably like this type of book more.
Weaknesses: I read the first book so long ago that I had no memory of it. My library copy of Sidekicks is mostly glue and tape at this point, so if I buy Thick as Thieves, I should probably replace the first book. I seem to recall that Mr. Santa released an expanded edition.
What I really think: There are relatively few action and adventure graphic novels, so this will be a big hit with readers who like Lauren Tarshis' I Survived, Horowitz's Stormbreaker, and Riordan's Lightning Thief graphic adaptations as well as Brailler's Last Kids on Earth series.
After thwarting Dr. Havoc and retiring, Harry (Captain Awesome) is hanging out with his sister Kelly and getting ready to take a much needed vacation to Crochet-Con. His super pets, Manny the cat, Rosco the dog, Fluffy the hamster, and Shifty the lizard all stay home to tend the house. When Whipley, Shifty's long lost brother, shows up, it's clear that something suspicious is going on, especially since the reader has seen Whipley break into SOS headquarters disguised as Shifty in order to download information onto a flashdrive. Whipley makes an emotional appeal to Shifty (aka Gus), who misses his brother, and convinces him to leave his friends. Since Whipley has also impersonated the other pets and been mean to Shifty, it's not that hard to convince him. The two take off after Harry and Kelly. The Supers show up at the house wanting to investigate the SOS security breach, and the pets take off in the car. A lot goes down at Crochet-Con, and soon everyone is at Hoover Dam, where Dr. Havoc is holding court, having repaired himself but needing the energy to run his new robotic body. A group of discarded pets is in his thrall, and before long, an evil boa constrictor is hurting Fluffy! Shifty is devastated, and struggling to understand why Whipley is so evil, although his brother constantly reassures him that his horrible deeds are all performed so the two can be together. There is massive mayhem when the Supers arrive, and there is a giant tussle over the flashdrive. There are near death experiences, but Whipley survives, although he says goodbye to Shifty (in Fluffy's form) and leaves. We do see Dr. Havoc walk away, so perhaps we will see a third book in 2039!
Strengths: I was going to say that this was surprisingly philosophical for a superhero book, but really, superhero books are usually philosophical! Sure, there's plenty of running about, giant balls of yarn careening toward innocent bystanders, and falling off cliffs, but we also have glimpses of Harry questioning his retirement, Shifty's tense relationship with his brother, and the constant examining of purpose and meaning by all of the pets. Of course, my favorite moment was Manny's starstruck demeanor when faced with a GIANT ball of yarn. I don't crochet, but I loved the idea of Crochet-Con, and there's even a mini lesson about doing what one loves just for the sheer joy of it and not always expecting to win when Harry's sweater doesn't garner the prize he wants. I'm a big fan of Santat's illustration style, and while I personally would love to see him do more books like A First Time For Everything, my students will probably like this type of book more.
Weaknesses: I read the first book so long ago that I had no memory of it. My library copy of Sidekicks is mostly glue and tape at this point, so if I buy Thick as Thieves, I should probably replace the first book. I seem to recall that Mr. Santa released an expanded edition.
What I really think: There are relatively few action and adventure graphic novels, so this will be a big hit with readers who like Lauren Tarshis' I Survived, Horowitz's Stormbreaker, and Riordan's Lightning Thief graphic adaptations as well as Brailler's Last Kids on Earth series.
January 26, 2026
Harry (Captain Amazing) has now retired, and he and his sister Kelly are off on a holiday to ‘Crochet Con’. Kelly has taught Harry how to crochet as part of his recovery, and teases him about not having to be the best at everything anymore.
Soon after they leave, an unexpected package arrives. Inside is another chameleon. It’s Whipley, who is Shifty’s big brother. Shifty can’t believe it, and is happy to tell his friends all about growing up with Whipley.
The pets however, believe something is not quite right about this new animal in the house. This puts Shifty in the middle – sticking up for his brother who he feels he must take sides with.
Taking it a step further, he leaves with Whipley in the middle of night. Climbing into a van of suspicious characters, Shifty finds himself in the same position. Believing Whipley, or trusting his gut?
The 2nd adventure in this action-packed graphic novel series!
Sidekicks – Thick as Thieves adds to the continuing tale of Pet Sidekicks becoming the real Superheroes. They really must step up this time against a foe that seems impossible to tame.
Readers meet Captain Amazing’s sister Kelly, who is amazing herself. We also go back in time when they were children, and learn about Captain Amazing’s only disability.
With more graphic novel episodes in the making, Sidekicks is definitely a series to hook readers in.
Author / Illustrator – Dan Santat
Age – 10+
Publisher – Scholastic
Set – Fictional city called Metro City / Present
Viewpoint – 3rd person
Violence – Yes
Real Life – Aspects yes
Fantasy – Yes / Superhero powers
Blend – Real Life / Superheroes
Soon after they leave, an unexpected package arrives. Inside is another chameleon. It’s Whipley, who is Shifty’s big brother. Shifty can’t believe it, and is happy to tell his friends all about growing up with Whipley.
The pets however, believe something is not quite right about this new animal in the house. This puts Shifty in the middle – sticking up for his brother who he feels he must take sides with.
Taking it a step further, he leaves with Whipley in the middle of night. Climbing into a van of suspicious characters, Shifty finds himself in the same position. Believing Whipley, or trusting his gut?
The 2nd adventure in this action-packed graphic novel series!
Sidekicks – Thick as Thieves adds to the continuing tale of Pet Sidekicks becoming the real Superheroes. They really must step up this time against a foe that seems impossible to tame.
Readers meet Captain Amazing’s sister Kelly, who is amazing herself. We also go back in time when they were children, and learn about Captain Amazing’s only disability.
With more graphic novel episodes in the making, Sidekicks is definitely a series to hook readers in.
Author / Illustrator – Dan Santat
Age – 10+
Publisher – Scholastic
Set – Fictional city called Metro City / Present
Viewpoint – 3rd person
Violence – Yes
Real Life – Aspects yes
Fantasy – Yes / Superhero powers
Blend – Real Life / Superheroes
Read
October 4, 2025See my full review here: https://yabookscentral.com/thick-as-t...
THICK AS THIEVES is an engaging middle grade graphic novel, great for children who love fast-paced superhero reads. After Captain Amazing retires and takes a vacation, there is trouble in the city. A flash drive containing sensitive information about superheroes has been stolen - and the sidekicks are on the case.
What I loved: This is a consuming graphic novel, perfect for readers who love superheroes, solving cases, and plenty of humor. Children will figure out what is going on before the characters do, much to their delight. Whipley, claiming to be Shifty's brother, has arrived, and nothing seems to be going just right. Children will enjoy the humor and the subterfuge around this visit and the sidekicks as they work to save the day.
The images are fantastic and strike just the right balance between storytelling with pictures and text. The dialogue throughout tends to be light, which is great for readers who appreciate the artwork and are gaining confidence in reading. The characters really come to life throughout, with lots of expressiveness and great detail.
Final verdict: THICK AS THIEVES is a fantastic new installment in the SIDEKICKS series, great for middle grade readers who enjoy humor and great artwork with light dialogue. It is definitely helpful to have read the first book in the series prior to opening this one.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinion are my own.
THICK AS THIEVES is an engaging middle grade graphic novel, great for children who love fast-paced superhero reads. After Captain Amazing retires and takes a vacation, there is trouble in the city. A flash drive containing sensitive information about superheroes has been stolen - and the sidekicks are on the case.
What I loved: This is a consuming graphic novel, perfect for readers who love superheroes, solving cases, and plenty of humor. Children will figure out what is going on before the characters do, much to their delight. Whipley, claiming to be Shifty's brother, has arrived, and nothing seems to be going just right. Children will enjoy the humor and the subterfuge around this visit and the sidekicks as they work to save the day.
The images are fantastic and strike just the right balance between storytelling with pictures and text. The dialogue throughout tends to be light, which is great for readers who appreciate the artwork and are gaining confidence in reading. The characters really come to life throughout, with lots of expressiveness and great detail.
Final verdict: THICK AS THIEVES is a fantastic new installment in the SIDEKICKS series, great for middle grade readers who enjoy humor and great artwork with light dialogue. It is definitely helpful to have read the first book in the series prior to opening this one.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinion are my own.
June 8, 2026
Captain Amazing's sister is forcing him to go on his first vacation in forever. His sidekicks are staying home, but their training is soon interrupted by the arrival of Shifty's brother who has framed them and Captain Amazing for the theft of data from SOS headquarters. But why would Shifty's brother do such a thing?
It turns out Captain Amazing isn't the only super in his family, and his sister is just as much a part of this plot as he is. This was a diverting adventure for the superhero pets and there is promise of further information about a washed out pet sidekick program for supers to be explained in a future volume. It felt like this was just the 2nd episode in a TV series and we need some more installments to get fully invested.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are perilous circumstances from falling and burning buildings, a cable car in danger, a fall from a height, an allergic reaction and more, but thanks to superhero abilities pretty much everyone is fine.
Ethnic diversity: The ethnicity of most of the humans is vague.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Shifty's brother keeps masquerading as others (he's a shape-shifter too) and sowing discord.
It turns out Captain Amazing isn't the only super in his family, and his sister is just as much a part of this plot as he is. This was a diverting adventure for the superhero pets and there is promise of further information about a washed out pet sidekick program for supers to be explained in a future volume. It felt like this was just the 2nd episode in a TV series and we need some more installments to get fully invested.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There are perilous circumstances from falling and burning buildings, a cable car in danger, a fall from a height, an allergic reaction and more, but thanks to superhero abilities pretty much everyone is fine.
Ethnic diversity: The ethnicity of most of the humans is vague.
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Shifty's brother keeps masquerading as others (he's a shape-shifter too) and sowing discord.
January 31, 2026
Thank you to Scholastic for our copy, here is our honest review.
This is a graphic novel for children aged 6+ and perfect for those transitioning from picture to chapter books. The illustrations were vibrant and engaging and my little boy was captivated from the very first page. This is the second novel but a recap at the start gives enough detail that it can easily be read as a standalone. We both loved the lively story and loved being amongst the superheroes. A definite 5 star read from both of us.
Captain Amazing is retiring and setting off on vacation to the World's Biggest Ball of Yarn. Meanwhile his superhero pets become embroiled in some mysterious goings on stemming from a data breach at superhero HQ. Shifty is shocked to have his brother turn up and desperately wants to see the best in him, despite what the others try to show him. What ensues is a fast paced adventure with a familiar nemesis appearing when they all least expect it.
This is a graphic novel for children aged 6+ and perfect for those transitioning from picture to chapter books. The illustrations were vibrant and engaging and my little boy was captivated from the very first page. This is the second novel but a recap at the start gives enough detail that it can easily be read as a standalone. We both loved the lively story and loved being amongst the superheroes. A definite 5 star read from both of us.
Captain Amazing is retiring and setting off on vacation to the World's Biggest Ball of Yarn. Meanwhile his superhero pets become embroiled in some mysterious goings on stemming from a data breach at superhero HQ. Shifty is shocked to have his brother turn up and desperately wants to see the best in him, despite what the others try to show him. What ensues is a fast paced adventure with a familiar nemesis appearing when they all least expect it.
February 6, 2026
“Please! Don’t hurt my brother! I’ll do anything!” 😱
I’m not usually one for graphic novels, but since my grandson enjoys them, I’ve started requesting them when they pop up in publisher emails. I know I can review them (yes, I’ve been reading them too! 😉📖) and then pass them on to him ❤️.
Sidekicks: Thick As Thieves is full of imaginative and impressive artwork 🎨, superheroes 🦸♂️, pet sidekicks 🐾, and a hilarious, page-turning story that will have you rooting for the characters all the way through 😂✨.
Thank you to Scholastic for the gifted copy of Sidekicks: Thick As Thieves by Dan Santat. My grandson will love this one! 💙📚
I’m not usually one for graphic novels, but since my grandson enjoys them, I’ve started requesting them when they pop up in publisher emails. I know I can review them (yes, I’ve been reading them too! 😉📖) and then pass them on to him ❤️.
Sidekicks: Thick As Thieves is full of imaginative and impressive artwork 🎨, superheroes 🦸♂️, pet sidekicks 🐾, and a hilarious, page-turning story that will have you rooting for the characters all the way through 😂✨.
Thank you to Scholastic for the gifted copy of Sidekicks: Thick As Thieves by Dan Santat. My grandson will love this one! 💙📚
February 13, 2026
This was such a fun, fast, flabbergaster of a graphic novel and for me, there are relatively few quality action/ adventure graphic novels about, so this was a refreshing, welcome change to what I'm used to.
I read this with our 9 year old Daughter over about a week or so of bedtime stories, and although I think this is more aimed at boys, we both still really enjoyed it.
It's creative, feels fresh and is full of colourful, bright illustrations which compliment the text wonderfully.
I think it would be useful to have read the first book, for a bit of background on the characters, but not essential.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.
I read this with our 9 year old Daughter over about a week or so of bedtime stories, and although I think this is more aimed at boys, we both still really enjoyed it.
It's creative, feels fresh and is full of colourful, bright illustrations which compliment the text wonderfully.
I think it would be useful to have read the first book, for a bit of background on the characters, but not essential.
A big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from us.
February 27, 2026
3.5
A rag tag bunch of super hero pets try to save the world in this sequel to a book that came out years ago and that, to my mind at least, no one was clamboring for.
Santat's art is impeccable, and generally his sequential storytelling is great, too. There are still panels in some of the action sequences, though, where the panels stop telling a clear story and it gets confusing. This is a consistant complaint that I have about Santat as a graphic novelist. I think it's a bit better here but still noticeable.
A rag tag bunch of super hero pets try to save the world in this sequel to a book that came out years ago and that, to my mind at least, no one was clamboring for.
Santat's art is impeccable, and generally his sequential storytelling is great, too. There are still panels in some of the action sequences, though, where the panels stop telling a clear story and it gets confusing. This is a consistant complaint that I have about Santat as a graphic novelist. I think it's a bit better here but still noticeable.
March 24, 2026
Graphic Novel
The story continues as the Sidekicks are framed for a crime they didn't commit. They work together to save Captain Amazing and his sister from Doc Havoc and his sidekicks. The action is nonstop and the artwork offers more clues to what will happen next. A fun story that leaves portions of the story open for the next book.
The story continues as the Sidekicks are framed for a crime they didn't commit. They work together to save Captain Amazing and his sister from Doc Havoc and his sidekicks. The action is nonstop and the artwork offers more clues to what will happen next. A fun story that leaves portions of the story open for the next book.
April 8, 2026
**Graphic Novel**
**Middle Grade**
The long awaited 2nd book in the series. Manny, Roscoe, Fluffy & Shifty are trying to keep all in check while Captain Amazing is away until Shifty's long lost brother appears. A fast moving adventure ensues.
**Middle Grade**
The long awaited 2nd book in the series. Manny, Roscoe, Fluffy & Shifty are trying to keep all in check while Captain Amazing is away until Shifty's long lost brother appears. A fast moving adventure ensues.
January 11, 2026
ARC COPY...Even though I did read a Sidekicks somewhere long ago...took a while to jump into but entertained and feel Santat will like this.
January 22, 2026
This is such a cute series.
January 27, 2026
Shifty's brother comes for a visit, but he might not be here just to see his brother...
January 29, 2026
I need to read the first one. Kids will eat this up. Very silly.
February 10, 2026
Sidekicks is one of my favorite graphic novels- and I have waited so long for a book 2. It was just as well drawn and funny as book 1. The cat and the yarn LOL
March 11, 2026
This was a lot of fun. I'm sorry to have missed the first adventure, though it's not really necessary to have read it to enjoy this one.
Santat's artwork is always a delight!
Santat's artwork is always a delight!
April 15, 2026
Dan Santat does it again! Great story with lots of plot twists! I can’t wait to share it with students!
May 7, 2026
Adventure!!
June 20, 2026
Love Santat’s artwork in this series. Funny and fast paced although not revolutionary or anything.
July 28, 2026
Hilarious action and adventure middle grade graphic novel, great for kids who love a fast-paced superhero read!
September 10, 2026
Love the artwork, and the author's approach to the characters.
September 27, 2026
A great sequel to the first Sidekicks! Two more are coming out according to the back of the book!
October 10, 2026
Good story and top-notch visual storytelling. This is what a superhero book should be.
September 24, 2026
warning if you don't want spoilers do not read this review wow Dan Santat is doing great things in the series thick as thieves. Super sad ending where Wheetly dies and somehow comes back like whaaaaaaaaat in the heeeeeeeeeecckkkk oh my gawd this is frikin gooood! I am 10 and this book made me want moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I think theese boooooks neeeeedddd moooooviieesssssssss cuz oh my stars this is a friiiiiiiikkkkkiiinnnn massssterpiece looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrdyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy llllllllllllllllooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews