Annie Auerbach - Despicable Me 2: The Junior Novel

In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.

The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Copyright 2013 by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. Despicable Me 2 is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All rights reserved.

All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the authors rights.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Hachette Book Group

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www.lb-kids.com

First ebook edition: May 2013

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The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

ISBN 978-0-316-23415-3

I n the Arctic Circle, there is snow and ice as far as the eye can see. And, man, is it cold! Theres not a lot to do; even if youre a Russian guard at a top secret research laboratory, time still passes slowly. Unless you have a deck of cards!

Using an overturned barrel as a table, the guards engage in a serious game of poker. When one of them wins the game, he happily pulls the coins toward himself and does a celebratory dance, spinning around. When he finally stops dancing, however, he notices that his coins are gone!

He immediately accuses the other guard of stealing them, but his opponent insists he didnt. The winner threatens the loser with a shovel, when all of a sudden, it flies into the air! Then the metal barrel follows!

The guards look up to see a gigantic magnetic ship hovering above the laboratory.

Suddenly, a lab door opens and a bunch of fellow guards rush out, pointing their guns at the magnetic ship.

WHOOSH! All of their guns are pulled up toward the ship, along with the guards themselves, who are strapped to the weapons!

Next, the entire lab begins to move off the ground. Terrified guards and scientists leap out into the snow below. With a final clank, the lab makes contact with the mysterious ship. As it flies away, the remaining guards and scientists watch with open mouths.

Three weeks later, top secret government agents view the security footage of the research station being magnetically stolen.

Were still no closer to cracking this? a portly man asks in an uptight British accent.

When there is no response, he gives an order: Bring him in.

G ru surveys the scene in front of him. Yep, its time. He grabs a menacing-looking weapon, pulls the trigger, and out comes a unicorn balloon! He puts it next to the other ones lining the windowsill and smiles, knowing they look just perfect for Agness sixth birthday party.

Not long after, the party is in full swing. The yard is decorated with balloons and streamers, along with a big bouncy house shaped like a castle. But this is no regular party with boring party games. This is a party thrown by Gru!

In one corner, two little girls fish in a small kiddie pool. One of the girls gets a bite and happily pulls up a toy fish until a real-life piranha jumps out and eats the toy fish! In another part of the yard, a boy and a girl sword fight. The boy does a bunch of fancy moves, but the girl is not impressed. She waits patiently for him to finish showing off, then pounds him with a club.

Agnes goes down a slide, a giant grin on her face. This is the best party EVER! she declares. Her friends are dressed as duchesses and countesses, while Agnes is dressed as a princess riding a unicorn, which is her favorite animal in the whole entire world!

Meanwhile, Edith is dressed as a ninja. She climbs across the monkey bars, just as a bunch of boxing gloves and blades shoot up from below. She avoids them with skill and ease. She then jumps to the ground, narrowly avoiding a bear trap.

Ha-ha! Yeah! she exclaims.

Just then, Agnes runs into the middle of the yard and screams, Oh no! A dragon is approaching!

All the kids turn to see Grus pet dressed as a dragon. His name is Kyle, and he has long, spiky teeth. Kyle is not thrilled to play the part of the dragon and grumbles, causing the kids to scream and huddle around Agnes.

Then Agness oldest sister, Margo, comes out dressed as Joan of Arc. She is wearing a suit of armor and carrying a mighty sword.

Fear not, announces Margo. For here come the gallant knights!

She gestures to a group of Minions wearing tiny suits of armor and holding different medieval weapons. The kids cheer as the Minions charge toward Kyle. But Minion One accidentally pokes another with his sword. A spiked mace hits another Minion. A fight breaks out, and soon the Minions are fighting one another, rather than Kyle, the dragon.

Meanwhile, Gru is busy grilling burgers by the barbecue and talking on his cell phone.

No, no, no! he screams into the phone. What do you mean shes not coming? I have a backyard full of these little girls who are counting on a visit from a fairy princess! He listens for a minute and then says, I dont want a refund! I want a fairy princess. Please! I am begging you!

But the person on the other end of the line still says no.

Grus voice gets low, and he says, You know what? I hope you can sleep at night, you crusher of little girls dreams! He hangs up with a huff and turns to see Agnes standing in front of him.

Ooh, ooh! Whens the fairy princess coming? she asks expectantly.

Gru stares down at Agness large, excited eyes. He opens his mouth to tell her the truth, but he just cant do it. Any minute now! he says instead.

Yayyyy! Agnes squeals with excitement and gallops off.

A worried look crosses Grus face. What am I going to do now? he thinks.

He spots two Minions and instructs them to keep the children entertained for a few minutes.

The Minions get right to work, directing the kids to sit in a semicircle on the grass. Then the Minions dress up as magicians and ask Edith to be their assistant.

One Minion blows up a balloon and puts it in Ediths mouth. Then the other pulls out a chain saw and heads straight for her!