Time Villains

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 8

Story Thieves meets Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library in this #ownvoices middle grade series starter filled with action, adventure, and good pirate fun

Javi Santiago is just a sandwich-obsessed Puerto Rican trying to host the ultimate dinner party and not fail sixth grade. When the annual "Any Three People to Dinner" homework assignment rolls around, Javi needs help, so he pulls his best friend Wiki and his kid sister Brady into the effort. But none of them predicted that the family's mysterious antique table would *actually* bring their storied guests to the meal. And who did they invite? Kid Mozart, the Earl of Sandwich, and...Blackbeard the Pirate. Whoops!

Before they can say "avast, ye maties," Blackbeard escapes and Javi's world does an awkward somersault. As the trio tries to avoid the bloodthirsty pirate, a few of their teachers come to their aid—teachers who are suspiciously out of place. But there's no time to think—Blackbeard is intent on summoning his pirate crew, so Javi may have to invite some even zanier figures from the past to set things right again.

About the Author

VICTOR PIÑEIRO is a senior vice president of social media for an ad agency. He's run YouTube's and much of Google's social media from the agency side for the past six years. He also designs games and toys for Hasbro-and before all of this was a third grade teacher. This is his first novel.