Minion Paperback – June 23, 2015

What could possibly be worse than being abandon as a baby in a White Castle? Or, being sent to live at the local orphanage that is run by nuns for your first 9 years? Maybe being adopted by a mad, well maybe not mad, but certainly, a scientist, and homeschooled because you aren't allowed to tell anyone about you or your dad or the fact that you can look people in the eyes and make them do pretty much anything you want them to do, but which also means you really don't have any friends. Yeah, I would pick would pick the last one too. Michael's dad makes boxes, special little black boxes that do things like create a force field around the person with the box, or turn off all surveillance cameras in the area, and he sells these boxes to the mob for great sums of money. Right now Michael's dad is trying to make a box that will boost Michaels suggestive powers, but is that what he is really spending time in the basement making? But when a new criminal comes to New Liberty, The Dictator, and puts a crimp in the mob bosses styles they, Tony Romano and Mickey "6 Fingers", join together along with Michael to defeat The Dictator and save Michael's father. But along with The Dictator, New Liberty has also gained a super, The Comet, but where is he when New Liberty needs him most? Oh and what about Zach the human hedgehog, and Viola, the girl not the instrument? You will have to read the book yourself to find out all the exciting details.This is a awesome book for middle graders, Mr. Anderson captures the tween set well from the awkwardness of looking for girls at the mall, to what to say to them once you do actually meet and have to speak to one another. Even the awkward chance run ins and time spent with Viola. He even has the basic hanging out and tween friend structure between Michael and Zach spot on, chest bump on that. Also the part where Michael helps the boy get the hundred something dollar hi-tops shows his bond with others his own age, kind of a knuckle bump when he is through, not to mention his fascination with the latest and greatest tennis shoes is so tween/teen. But when Michael feels betrayed by his father and says, "not technically his son but still his minion", Michael still fought for his dad, because maybe technically he might not have been biologically his father, he has been the one who has been there for him the last several years teaching him, loving him, understanding him, being his dad. That part was so awesome and the rest to come that you just need to applaud the relationship he built between the two in such a short time.This is not a sequel to Mr. Anderson's book Sidekicked, but just as good and just as powerful. So there is no reason to read them in order, but if you like one you will definitely love the other.

This book is really good, slightly suggestive at some time and always throws you off. The middle is OK but you would think Viola would have superpowers too. I mean come on, she repeats lines that the sidekick say does a perfect imitation of his voice, the entire time your waiting for the great reveil. But nope at the end there is a slight hint but they don't like discuss or anything. At the end it ends with a total cliff hanger. If there is no sequel there will be CHAOS within his fan base. (Hint hint) However over all it IS a good book.

This is another nifty adventure in an immersive comic-book reality, with believable consequences for real people, psychological motives and character conflicts that ring true, and a satisfying blend of thrills, laughs, light romance, and touching humanity. It explores the moral philosophies of the light and dark side, as well as the gray middle, represented by Edson's explanation that "power is the realization that you have choices." And it adds once more to the impression that John David Anderson is one of the top writers for junior-high-age readers who are ready to make the jump from graphic novels to novels, period.

I think this was a spectacular book but the ending needed a epilogue really badly because I have still a few more questions I think other readers have:1: was the comet viola`s father2: does Michael find his mother or not and if why did she leave3: does the professor get out of prison and how4: what happens with Michael and violaI do recommend buying this book though it was an interesting read and definitely worth the money!!! Good job John David Anderson

My son really enjoyed this book. And if a 12 year old boy says out of the blue, "I hope they make a sequel so I can read it" then you know that you have chosen a great series for your kid. This is the second in hopefully a long line of successful superhero stories from Mr. Anderson.

I bought this for my son because he requested Sidekick and this was the sequel. He hasn't read it yet but he really liked Sidekick

This book is amazing. Instead of having a hero narrating it is a villain/hero. There must be a sequel to it. There was so much more story to tell. Like the fact that Viola is probably the side-kick of Comet.

I read this book after reading sidekicked. This book defiantly lived up to expectations, and Anderson makes it so that you can fall in love with the characters.

Its a replica of sidekicked but less pages thats a con..a pro is the ending..I am not saying its a bad book i am just saying he can make it better..

The same as Sidekicked, but with a villain. I enjoyed the story.