Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions: Book 1 - Hardcover

"Characters are drawn broadly and deftly in a matter-of-fact way...The loopy cartoonlike illustrations highlight the story perfectly."--Donna Scanlon "Booklist " "In her debut, Grau introduces a contemporary fantasy world that is a perfect blend of Hogwarts and Monster's University."--Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR"School Library Journal" (01/01/2015) "Runt's hapless attempts to do the right thing make him easily relatable amid themes of conquering self-doubt, wrestling with perfectionism ..., and searching for a place to belong, whether it's with a family bound by blood or one created in a lab."-- (02/23/2015) "Grau carefully develops all her characters, and this rich cast helps to establish the setting as much as the descriptions of the school itself....Boarding school fantasy fans will flock to this new series, and it is refreshing to see one that features such a kind, amiable protagonist."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A droll addition to the magical school genre, worthy of a seat toward the front of the (Harry) Potter-wagon."--Kirkus Reviews (12/15/2014)

Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions is the premier supplier of minions to Evil Overlords throughout the Greater Porvian Continent. Twelve-year-old Runt Higgins has grown up as Dr. Critchlore's ward, a werewolf who couldn't keep up with the other pups. Now Runt's determined to make it into the elite Junior Henchman Training Program so the pack who abandoned him will be so proud, they'll take him back. But that won't happen if the school closes down, a fate that grows likelier as disasters keep striking with alarming regularity. Runt decides to find the saboteur himself, since nobody knows the school better than he does-and hasn't he got the keen senses, strength, and speed that werewolves are known for? No, actually, because Runt isn't a werewolf. And nobody at the school has the heart to tell him.Runt might be just a puny human, but he's the only person who can figure out who's planning the sabotage and save the school-and Dr. Critchlore himself-from total destruction.