ALA Booklist (Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Boris Snodbuckle wants to change Bendale for the better, before heading off to high school, so he decides to run for student council president. With the help of his best friend, Adrian (the titular sidekick), the boys plan a number of "operations" to win the votes of students. These include "Operation Rally in the Valley," to save a large tree from getting knocked down; "Operation Broadway," to get the lead in the school play and impress the artsy kids; and "Operation Triple-R," to impress the science kids with an outstanding entry in the science fair. Unfortunately, Robert Pinsent, aka the most popular boy in school, is running against Boris and manages to take the praise for all of Boris' schemes. Can the boys show everyone that Robert is just in it for the power, or will Robert be able to sway everyone into voting for him? Skuy's characters are two hilarious boys with good intentions that often go awry, which many middle-schoolers should have no trouble relating to. Clever, principled kids, sneaky capers, and lots of humor should give this broad appeal.

Horn Book (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

In his quest for popularity, seventh grader Boris, with his "sidekick" and only friend Adrian, campaigns tirelessly for student council president with one hare-brained scheme after another. Adrian's narration keeps the reader at arm's length and renders the pair more pathetic than sympathetic, but moments of wry humor will appeal to middle-school readers looking for lighthearted laughs.

School Library Journal (Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

Gr 5-7 Adrian is a seventh grader whose identity is defined by his best friend Boris Snodbuckle (known as "the B-Ster"). Adrian follows Boris's various schemes submissively despite receiving numerous school suspensions and getting into trouble with his parents. The plot revolves around Boris's campaign for student body president and various other school events. In attempts to reach potential voters in the school, Adrian and Boris camp out in a tree, participate in the school's musical production of The Lion King , enter the science competition, and try to end youth hunger, all to disastrous effect. Boris's bravado and Adrian's wide-eyed worship grow a little tiresome. Although the characters and situations are heightened for dramatic effect, they represent a familiar middle school cast of characters: Boris and Adrian are dramatic and intense kids who nobody seems to understandbut are having a great time regardless. VERDICT This is a fast-paced read with a clear voice. An additional purchase for larger middle grade and middle school collections in need of funny books. Jessica Ko, Los Angeles Public Library