As a librarian, I mark the success of a book in several
ways. Reviews are nice, shiny award
stickers are special, and high circulation numbers always get my
attention. But one of the most rewarding
ways to measure success is literally in the eyes of the reader. I read and reviewed Kim Donovan’s debut entry
in the St. Viper’s School for Super Villains (at the author’s request),
and liked it enough to purchase a copy for my collection. It’s light enough for reluctant readers and
funny enough to get those who just love a good laugh. The other day, I discovered the best kind of
feedback. I was booktalking The
Riotous Rocket Ship Robbery with a nine-year-old boy, whose eyes grew
bigger and bigger the longer I talked, and then he promised to come back to get
the book when he was done with the books he had
to read to get his requisite points at school.
He wanted to read it for fun!
Huzzah!
And so it was with great pleasure I turned to the second
volume in the St. Viper’s series, The Big Bank Burglary. The second time around, Demon Kid and his
friends are trying to earn their place on the prestigious bank
burglary team, part of a grander scheme run by the grown-up super villains in
their overall quest to rule the world.
Thanks to his notoriety from the rocket ship incident, Demon and his
friends are flying high, until a new student, Copycat, joins the class and
quickly takes Demon’s place as top dog.
No matter what Demon does to try and stand out, Copycat is always one
step ahead. But there’s something fishy
going on, and Demon may be the only one that can save all our super villains
from the heroic clutches of super heroes like Captain Cool and Muscle Man.
What I enjoyed about the first volume of Ms. Donovan’s
series was the rampant humor and the very relatable need to make a name and a
place for oneself. In this second
outing, another universal theme is explored, one every kid can understand: the
new kid. The new kid is so special, the new
kid is so great. Teachers love him, kids
love him, and he succeeds at everything he does, especially the same things
that you always thought made you unique.
Demon’s eventual victory over Copycat is classic wish fulfillment, and
it’s a great turnabout that I didn’t see coming.
I could still use some more character development, and I
still want to spend more time with Demon’s kooky teachers, but overall I was pleased
with this second installment of St. Viper’s School for Super Villains. Once again, it’s a quick, satisfying read that I know will appeal to little
troublemakers and do-gooders alike.
St. Viper’s School for Super Villains: The Big Bank
Burglary by Kim Donovan
2013, Squawk Books
Electronic copy provided by author for review
2013, Squawk Books
Electronic copy provided by author for review
