About the Holiday

Pets give us so much love and joy that we often want to do something special for our furry friends in return. The first full week of June gives us the opportunity to show our pets how much we appreciate them! Why not spend a little extra time walking or cuddling with your pet? This week is a great time to pamper them with a few extra treat or a new toy. Another way to show how much our pets mean to us is to make sure they’re up-to-date on their annual check-ups and vaccinations. However you celebrate, you know your pet will appreciate it!

A Wickedly Evil Pet: A Branches Book (Super Villains in Training #2)

Written by Kailei Pew | Illustrated by Estrela Lourenço

Vicky von Evil loves going to school at SVT—Super Villains in Training—even though the work may be harder for her than for most of the students. You see, her “parents and little brother, Henry, aren’t wicked at all.” Still, they support her because her “extended family is full of baddies!” In fact, her Granny Dina-mite has come for a visit to give Vicky some tips on becoming evil.

One reason Vicky loves SVT is her teacher. Today, Miss Chiff announces that for the next week her students will be practicing on STV’s Crooked Course to learn new evil skills. On Friday each student will be graded on how well they show accuracy and speed in overcoming four obstacles. Those who finish within 30 minutes will be awarded a villain medal of chaos. Miss Chiff also says that they can bring a villain pet as a sidekick. Vicky wants to earn a medal, but without any special powers or a pet she knows it’s going to be tough.

Granny takes Vicky to Purely Evil Pet Rescue. Vicky meets all the different animals, but none of them feel right for her. That is until she sees the very last pet—a bunny. Vicky feels an immediate spark and can see in his adorable eyes that he has “villain potential.” She names him Captain von Evil and can’t wait to show her class. Instead of being awed, though, the students just laugh.

When it comes time to practice on the Crooked Course, Vicky expects to show Captain the ropes, but as soon as they begin, Captain is way ahead of her. He swings! He tunnels! He jumps! He even scurries through the mud pit while Vicky gets hopelessly stuck. Everyone loves Captain and gives Vicky no notice. She feels deflated. How is her “new pet already a better villain” than she is?

After more practice with dismal results, Vicky is ready to take Captain back to the Pet Rescue. On the way there, however, she thinks about Granny’s advice, and when her bike gets caught in a mud puddle and she sees Captain digging her out, she has a revelation. Now Vicky’s excited for Friday’s competition. But will her new strategy earn her a medal of chaos and prove that she is a true villain?

Kailei Pew’s second book in her Super Villains in Training early chapter book series offers young readers fast-paced and hilarious action as Vicky tries to live up to her family’s talent for evil despite having no special powers and parents and a brother who are kind, always upbeat, and sweet. Pew’s story is delightfully relatable for readers navigating early elementary school grades. Pew’s themes of friendship, family support, trusting others, self-confidence, and cooperation are smoothly woven through Pew’s appealing storytelling.

From the SVT campus to the pet shop to the obstacle course, young readers will love accompanying Vicky through Estrela Lourenço’s expressive and detailed illustrations. Lourenço brings out all of the humor in Pew’s story while also eliciting empathy from readers as Vicky struggles to prove herself. Emerging and newly independent readers will appreciate the bold text and dialogue enclosed in speech bubbles that are clearly linked to the speaker. Lourenço’s vivid snapshots and full-page images add to the depth of the Super Villains in Training series.

With a well-developed and enticing story, appealing characters, humor, and a high-interest setting, A Wickedly Evil Pet (Super Villains in Training #2) is a must for any fan of the series. Children new to the series will want to catch up with the first book: The Fantastic Freeze Ray before Project Slime, book #3 comes along in November.

About Branches Books

Super Villains in Training is part of Scholastic’s early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Ages 5 – 7

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 978-1546162148

Kailei Pew is a wife, mother, and children’s book author. She loves to write books that help kids see they can do anything they set their minds to. When she isn’t writing or reading, you can find her jogging through the Arizona desert, playing a mean game of Candy Land with her kids and husband, or baking anything with extra chocolate. Super Villains in Training is her first early chapter book series. Visit her and join the Wickedly Awesome Summer Reading Challenge at kaileipewbooks.com.

Estrela Lourenço is a full-time children’s book writer and illustrator with years of experience working in animation for shows like The Amazing World of Gumball for Cartoon Network and Wander Over Yonder for Disney. Estrela is originally from Portugal, but has been living in Ireland since 2009. Visit her at estrelalourenco.com.

National Pet Appreciation Day Activity

Super Villains in Training Activity Pages

Kids can join Vicky von Evil and her friends in their training at SVT with these Super Villains in Training Activity Pages from Scholastic!

You can purchase Super Villains in Training: A Wickedly Evil Pet from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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