Another Great Summer Read For Your Kids

By FREYA HOOPER (Star Patcher)

I know the burning question that has been haunting you without abatement .... Just where do evil overlords get their minions? You know, those trusting servants who do their master’s bidding with no hesitation to the immediate harm that might come their way. Well, as it turns out there is a school for that! Thankfully the book I am profiling this week lets you in on the inner working of The School for Minions.

Don’t forget to visit my website at www.onegreatbook.com so that you won’t miss a single book where you can earn extra credit in the History of Henchmen class. Sounds a little more fun than American History, doesn’t it?

Title: Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions

Author: Sheila Grau

Target: Grades 4-7

Series: This is the first book in a planned series

What this book is about:
We know there are schools for witches and wizards, but just where do Evil Overlords get their minions? Dr. Cristchlor’s School for Minions of course! Runt Higgins was abandoned at the school as a baby, and he is waiting for his werewolf instincts to kick in. He is tired of always being in the dorm for humans and would like to be with some of the more ferocious creatures. But he is with friends, which turns out to be helpful when someone begins sabotaging the school. Could his beloved home be in jeopardy and what can an almost werewolf do to save the school?

Why I love this book:
This book was a whole lot of fun. Runt is so appealing and his cast of friends, an almost gargoyle, a tree nymph, a smaller than average ogre-man and the 25th version of Frankenstein were great companions.

The mystery was not obvious, which is nice, so kids will have to work to find the saboteur. If I have one complaint it is that the setup took a little too much time, but the payoff and action at the end were well worth the initial investment of time. I hope that with the next book the pacing will be better early on.

Who this book is for:
Great for kids who like books such as Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library or The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.

Final thoughts:
I really enjoyed the illustrations. I don’t understand why more chapter books don’t incorporate them.

• Previous book columns From Freya Hooper:
• For Your Young Readers: Book for Kids Who Like to Laugh
• Have A Little Fashionista? Book for the Fashionable Kid
• Keep Your Readers Reading With This Can’t-Put-Down Historical Novel
• For Your Tweens: Fairytales!

I am a mom of three with a passion for literature! No matter what book series our kids devour, as they come to an end, we as parents ask the inevitable question - what is next? I am ever on the job, trying to answer that question. I try to do it with a variety of books. Some are silly, some true to life, some pure fantasy, but in the end I hope they make my children love words, explore new ideas, and laugh!