Gorilla Tactics (Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions #2) - Hardcover

Grau, Sheila; Sutphin, Joe

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 141971371X ISBN 13: 9781419713712

Publisher: Amulet Books, 2016

Synopsis

The second book in this hilarious, illustrated series cracks the imaginative world of minions wide open, and we meet the other schools and Evil Overlords that surround Dr. Critchlore’s. Runt Higgins needs answers, fast. Someone cursed him to die on his sixteenth birthday, but no one seems to know who cursed him or why. Runt decides he must find the Great Library, where all true knowledge is hidden. Unfortunately, the only people who know the location of the Great Library are a covert network of librarian-spies who’d rather die than give up the Library’s secrets. And when one of Runt’s professors is attacked, it soon becomes clear that others are also out to find the Library at any cost. Meanwhile, Runt’s not the only one whose days are numbered. To save the floundering school from an inevitable sale, Dr. Critchlore takes some desperate measures. His master plan to save the school: a fashion show.

About this title

About the Author:

Sheila Grau is a writer living in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and four children. www.sheilagrau.com. 
Joe Sutphin has been illustrating since he was small. He lives in Columbus, Ohio. www.joesutphin.wix.com/joesutphinart.

From School Library Journal:

Gr 4–6—In this second installment in the series, readers return to the quirky school for evil henchmen with favorite characters Runt, Syke, and the titular Dr. Critchlore. The adventure begins when a girl explorer-turned-monster recognizes Runt as family. Not knowing what this means, Runt sets out to discover from where the creature came and what this means about his long-lost relations. His quest is constantly waylaid by an ancient feud between sirens and mermaids, a fashion show, and a hostile takeover of his school. After a promising debut, this title pales a bit in comparison; a fashion show doesn't stir quite the same drama as zombies and dragons. The pacing is a bit slow and drags in the middle, but Grau's characters are likable and entertaining. Sutphin is back and delivers soundly with fantastic illustrations of EOs (that's Evil Overlords for the uninitiated) and enamored gorillas. While the book's conflicts resolve far too easily, Gorilla Tactics does end on a strong note and with a promise for a follow-up. Give to fans of the first book, lovers of fantastical humor, and advanced elementary school readers. VERDICT Purchase where the first volume was popular and where there is a need for advanced middle grade text with relatively clean and entertaining content.—Taylor Worley, Springfield Public Library, OR

About this edition

• Publisher: Amulet Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 141971371X
• ISBN 13: 9781419713712
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304