Donut the Destroyer by Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins

OVERVIEW:

Donut (middle name: The; last name: Destroyer) has a heart of gold and incredible strength. She lives in a world where everyone is born with a special ability and can choose whether to develop it for good or evil. Donut has just received the best news of her life -- she's been accepted to Lionheart School for Heroes! But her parents are the most infamous villains around, and her best friend, Ivy, can't understand why Donut would choose a life of boring heroism and ruin their plans to cause chaos. Donut is determined to prove that, despite her last name, she's meant to go her own way and be a hero. Meanwhile, Ivy cooks up a plan to get Donut kicked out of Lionheart -- and back on track to villainy!

REVIEW:

The thing about this book that really will draw readers in is the composition of the characters and the unique spin Graley and Purenins put on their stories. Beyond the artwork, the story is unique, funny, heartwarming, and adorable. The author takes the traditional hero vs. supervillain tale and spins it on its head by having the main character be the main villain's daughter. Her goal is to be a hero, which sends a message to kids that no matter their situation, they can rise from it. It is a fantasy story geared toward younger audiences. The tone and theme pair perfectly with any reader of this genre or are easily adaptable for the classroom.

INTERESTING FACT:

Sarah Graley and Stef Purenins are a partner writing duo who have several publications under their belt. Graley and Purenins formed a band which they named Sonic The Comic in 2012. Other books include:

• Our Super Adventure

• The Minecraft Series

• Glitch