Sidekicked

Reach for this book when your child feels overlooked or overshadowed by more dominant personalities at school. It is an ideal choice for the student who works hard in the background but wonders if their specific talents actually matter. The story follows Andrew Bean, a middle schooler with heightened senses who is training to be a sidekick in a world that only celebrates the heroes in the spotlight. Beyond the superhero action, the book explores the nuanced pressures of peer groups, the complexity of adult mentors who are not always perfect, and the courage it takes to define your own worth. It is perfectly pitched for ages 8 to 12, offering a humorous yet thoughtful look at identity and the realization that being 'extraordinary' is often about the choices we make rather than the powers we are born with.