Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions

by Sheila Grau

  And standing on the top of the steps, overseeing everything with his steely gaze, was Dr. Critchlore. My school was safe again; everything was back to normal.

  Dr. Critchlore seemed to be squinting at something behind me, so I turned around. Someone was walking up the gravel road toward the castle, dragging a heavily loaded red wagon.

  “Is that a Girl Explorer?” I asked Dr. Frankenhammer.

  Writing a book is a long journey, one I would never have completed alone. So many people helped make this book a reality. I’d like to thank my agent, Molly Ker Hawn, who is tireless and brilliant and funny, and my editor, Maggie Lehrman, whose wisdom and insight worked magic on the pages. And thanks to Erica Finkel, for taking over and guiding this book to completion.

  I’m truly blessed that Joe Sutphin’s beautiful illustrations grace the pages of this book, and that Chad W. Beckerman and Jessie Gang designed such a gorgeous layout. I appreciate all the work done by Jason Wells, Morgan Dubin, Jim Armstrong, Richard Slovak, Rob Sternitzky, and everyone else at Abrams. Thank you so much for your hard work. And thanks to Susan Van Metre and Michael Jacobs for making a dream come true.

  I’m so grateful to my writing buddies—most of all to Ashley Shouse, whose writing prompt kicked-off this story. A huge thanks to my most devoted writing partner, my brother, Gordon Jack. Thanks to my critique partners Joy McCullough-Carranza, Ki-Wing Merlin, and Sage Collins, and to the many online critiquers who commented on the early parts. Thanks to Brooks Sherman for his insightful feedback, and to Allison Hunter Hill for her early enthusiasm and input.

  And, finally, thanks to my family. To my husband, Juan, without whose unwavering support I never would have started writing. To my kids, Rachel, Ricky, Alex, and Daniel—thank you for inspiring me every day. Thanks to my parents, Joan and Bob Jack, and my siblings, Lisa Jack and Gordy Jack, for filling my childhood with laughter and adventure. Thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone.

  Sheila Grau grew up in an old house that had a secret closet nestled behind the bookshelves in the library. She was able to tuck herself into that little nook to ponder life’s mysteries, like how her mother knew she was dropping her broccoli to the dog at dinnertime. (Answer: The dog didn’t like broccoli, either, and spit it out on the floor.) Through the years, one mystery in particular seemed to have no answer: Where do evil overlords get their minions? Unable to find an answer, she thought it would be fun to make one up. Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions is her first book.

  Sheila currently lives in Northern California with her husband and four children and, sadly, no minions.