Werewolf Bram is a little hesitant about his first day at the Villains Academy, where all of the students learn to become fully formed baddies. He’s just not sure he’s … bad enough. As this hilarious (and not really scary) chapter book unfolds, Bram tries to impress his teacher, the irascible Master Mardybum, and connect with the much scarier and more villainous other students. But his classmates aren’t inclined to make friends, despite the fact that Master Mardybum says villains, too, need allies. And Bram can’t even learn to swish a cape with villainous flair.
All Bram wants is to make his two dads, both famous villains, proud. He decides to try and win the Villain of the Week trophy, but that requires completing a team task. Can he and the classmates on his team—Mona the elf-witch, Bryan the lion, Shelia the ghost, and Tony the skeleton—learn to work together to be properly villainous?
Despite the silly premise, readers will recognize social interactions that reflect ones in real life, such as being at a new school, trying to make friends, and learning to appreciate what makes both you and your friends special. Black-and-white images from author/illustrator Ryan Hammond are as amusing as the text. While Bram’s dads are mentioned only in passing and never make an actual appearance, the book is the start of a series, so maybe we’ll get to see them in a future volume.
A recommended, original, and entertaining title for chapter book readers.
Backmatter includes a page on how to draw Bram, from his perky ears to cozy sweater and furry feet. Most of the characters are monsters, and don’t map onto human identities; witch Mona has brown skin and black hair.
