Pets Rule! My Kingdom of Darkness by Susan Tan, illustrated by Wendy Tan Shiau Wei

It's always a fun time when the new Branches series are released. Perennial favorites, like Press Start, Dragon Masters, Owl Diaries, and Diary of a Pug continue to circulate briskly, but it's always nice to have some new options.

Susan Tan, who has previously written middle grade titles, jumps easily into the beginning chapter world with a familiar but always popular premise - a small, apparently helpless animal bent on world domination! A tiny chihuahua has been adopted by the Chin family and they think he's chatty and cute. They have no idea he is an evil mastermind, ruler of all he surveys! At least, he will be if he can get together some minions... and avoid his old shelter name of "Chuckles." Fortunately Lucy Chin is understanding and eventually he gets named Ember. But can he ever be more than a tiny spark? Especially when faced with... evil squirrels?

Let me tell you, I am always there for the evil squirrels. There is a delightful cast of fellow pets, neighborhood dogs, and, of course, the terrifying band of squirrels. Not to mention fearsome trash cans! In the end, Ember finds his courage not just to be a villainous mastermind but to save Lucy, and he finishes his first adventure with a firm command of his new subjects, er friends. But the story doesn't end there...

Verdict: There have been quite a few cartoons with this premise, as well as similar titles like Wedgie and Gizmo, but it's a perennially popular theme and Tan writes it with heart and humor. The addition of a Chinese American family is a nice touch of diversity. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781338756333; Published June 2022 by Scholastic; Purchased for the library