Five Reasons Study Hall of Justice is a Must-Read for All Aspiring Young Superheroes

It’s precisely this sort of wish that inspired Scholastic and DC Comics’ new Secret Hero Society, and the first in the series—Study Hall of Justice, by Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen—hits the sweet spot dead center. This graphic novel combines the deep end of the DC Comics universe with a fun, lighthearted tone, a fantastic mystery, and a wide range of storytelling techniques that make it a guaranteed hit among kids of all ages—though it’s officially aimed at grades 3 through 7. Here’s why your favorite wannabe superhero will want to read it posthaste.
1. The premise is super clever
A pint-sized Bruce Wayne has just been admitted to an elite private school, the Ducard Academy, and he’s psyched. But from the very first day, things at the school seem a little…off. Maybe it’s the fact that the orientation packet instructs him not to bring “the authorities,” but to definitely bring his “absolute loyalty.” Or maybe it’s the mysterious nature of the principal, whose identity is secret. Or maybe it’s the clowns roaming the hallways, or the ninjas Bruce thinks he sees in the trees (spoiler: he totally saw them). All of these suspicious moments prompt him to launch an investigation with the enthusiasm only a kid can muster.
2. The criminal investigation unit is cool
Luckily, he doesn’t have to investigate on his own, because among his classmates are two other kids who also feel out of place and unnerved: Clark Kent, a polite kid from the midwest who Bruce suspects is a little strange, and Diana, a wonderful girl from a mysterious island who has a bit of a temper problem. Not yet Superman and Wonder Woman, Clark and Diana quickly become Bruce’s best friends and partners in the newly formed Criminal Investigation Unit (whatever you do, don’t call it a Junior Detectives Club!). Of course, Bruce, being the future Dark Knight, also begins investigating his new friends.
3. The rogue’s gallery faculty and students are a lot of fun
The CIU finds plenty to occupy them, as they’re the only kids at the academy who respect authority and want an education. The other students—who mostly go unnamed, but are pretty clearly kid versions of classic DC villains like the Joker, the Riddler, and eventual class president Lex Luthor—play pranks, deface and destroy school property, and bully the other kids (especially a big kid named Bane). Worse, the faculty—including homeroom teacher Mr. Grundy, who hates Mondays, guidance counselor Huge Strange, and phys ed teacher Coach Zod (who begins each class with the command to bow down to him)—celebrate these misdeeds while punishing Clark, Diana, and Bruce when they’re clearly in the right. You don’t have to be an expert on superhero backstory to enjoy this story, but if you’re well-versed in comic book lore, there are endless Easter eggs to chuckle over.
4. The mystery rocks
On top of all that, the mystery is great. All the CIU wants is an education, and to see justice done. They believe kids who misbehave should be punished, and their friendship leads them into an exciting adventure that pits their wits against the secretive nature of the principal, the secret mission of the school, and—hardest of all—the taunts and bullying of their classmates. All the kids in the CIU bring their own specialties to the table, but all have their flaws (cleverly highlighted throughout by Student Evaluation Reports submitted by Guidance Counselor Strange—and then stolen for the investigation by Bruce), and in the end they must put aside their differences and work together as a team to defeat their foes and reveal the truth.
5. The structure guarantees you’ll never get bored
Aside from standard graphic novel layouts, the book includes a plethora of documents, security camera footage, transcripts of chat sessions and computer searches, journal entries, and posters on the hallway walls to give information and advance the plot. The sheer variety and inventiveness of the visuals guarantee you’ll never be bored, making this a fun, immersive story with something for everyone.