Superhero for President

By Gina Bellisario and Jessika von Innerebner

Ellie Ultra is a leader. As a superhero, she kind of has to be. So when the opportunity to become class president comes up, it's a no-brainer that Ellie will run. The only downside is that devious Dex Diggs, her arch nemesis in the school, is going to run too. After an Ultra Genie wish machine gets into Dex's hands, Ellie gets a glimpse of what the world will be like if Dex takes over. She has to do everything she can to make the world a better place and undo evil wishes, even if she isn't president.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: May 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781515887294

Gina Bellisario

Gina Bellisario is the author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers (and the grown-ups who read to them). She lives with her husband and their twin young readers in Park Ridge, Illinois.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

A Good Leader

It was just another day in the city of Winkopolis. Bunnies hopped. Drivers stopped. Shoppers shopped. Everyone was doing the same old ordinary things. Everyone, mind you, but the girl who lived at 8 Louise Lane.

That girl was Ellie Ultra. At Winkopolis Elementary School, she was busy helping her classmate Owen solve a math problem. She multiplied and added speedier than a sailfish with superpowered fins. It was extraordinary.

The problem is seventeen times two, Ellie told Owen. "First, take seven times two, then carry the one and — POW! The answer is thirty-four."

Ellie’s brainpower usually helped her outsmart evil aliens. But when the world didn’t need Ellie Ultra — third-grade superhero and all-around good kid — her smarts came in handy for tackling two-digit multiplication.

Oh, I get it now, Owen said. He had been stuck on the same problem for ten minutes. Until Ellie unstuck him, that is. Thanks for your help.

Time for social studies, Miss Little said, ringing the class wind chime. Yesterday, we learned about our country’s presidents and the good things they did. Who would like to give an example?

Payton waved her hand around. George Washington was honest. He worked with people, even when he didn’t agree with them.

Abraham Lincoln helped everyone be free, Joshua added.

Right, Miss Little replied. Being honest. Working together. Helping others. That’s what good leaders do.

They also save the day, Ellie said. You know, in case an Egyptian pharaoh comes back from the dead with an army of undead mummies. That happened last week!

Miss Little smiled. Ellie’s superhero stories would’ve surprised most teachers. But Miss Little already knew all about super-villains, thanks to Ellie.

That’s correct, the teacher replied. She closed her textbook. I think every class needs a good leader. That’s why next Friday, we’ll be having an election. You will all get to vote for a class president!

Everyone gasped and clapped.

Voting is a right that citizens receive, but it’s also an honor, Miss Little continued. As citizens of our class, you’ll get the honor of choosing who will lead Room #128. All we need are volunteers who will run for president.

Ellie sat up in her seat. She would make a great class president! She would stand for truth, justice, and more story time.

I’ll volunteer! she said. I promise to be a super leader! I’ll fight against vampire vegetables and super-villain takeovers. I’ll even empty the class recycling bin.

It looks like we have our first candidate, Miss Little said. Is anyone else interested in running? Her eyes skimmed over the room.

In the corner, a hand shot up like an arrow. It belonged to none other than Ellie’s archenemy, Dex Rotten Pineapple Face Diggs.

I am, Dex announced. "And when I win, I’m going to rule the whole school. I’ll even have a throne — the same one I had at my Bounce X-Treme birthday party. Bwwa-ha-ha-HA!" Throwing his head back, he laughed wickedly.

Ellie frowned. Dex was an ordinary kid, but he acted an awful lot like an evil mastermind. He loved to