Operation Squish!: Sidekicks #2    by Dan Danko, Tom Mason & Barry Gott Order:  USA  Can Little, Brown & Co., 2003 (2003) Hardcover, Softcover     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson It's hard to believe that this series could get loonier but it just did. Poor Speedy, assigned as Sidekick to Pumpkin Pete, is disillusioned by Pete's priorities on insurance, agents, endorsements and tailors. Speedy wants to 'fight for those who cannot fight for themselves!', and maybe win a date with Prudence Cane along the way. When King Justice's words of wisdom are interrupted by a giant robot that squishes the King into the concrete, Speedy decides to fight Dr. Robot ... or is that 'Dada Robah'? He exhorts the other Sidekicks to action, but all they want to do is sort rubble. So Speedy heads off on his own 'to find an eighty-foot robot being driven by a four-foot madman bent on squishing everything taller than he was.' Speedy needs all his 102 mph to dodge the robot's missiles, and he's almost 'Splatted Like a Bug on a Windshield'. What saves him? It's 'a brown blur' of which I'm sure we'll hear more in future episodes. Of course, Speedy once again saves the day, but naturally Pumpkin Pete steals the glory (and the endorsements!) Speedy is a young hero trying to do the right thing (while feeling that no-one ever listens to him) in an often incomprehensible world. This second in the Sidekicks series is another fast and furious read - a good pick for reluctant readers and those who like their satire on the very silly side. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews