Free
Part One: The Welcome Wall

STORY

Part One: The Welcome Wall

How to Be Super: The Violet Crown (Book One)

In which we are introduced to Dante and his single mother and learn that on the morning of his twelfth birthday, he experiences something incredible: he is struck by lightning. He is fine, but it begins a series of events that leads him to the neighborhood welcome wall where he receives a message that changes everything.

43 min
9+
Topics: SuperheroesBig EventsAdventures

Projects, Crafts, and Recipes for this Story

Sparkle Kitchen

Sparkle Kitchen: Peach Pecan Pancakes

The extra thickness of these pancakes makes them perfectly suited to being stuffed with goodies. Try them with Dante's peaches and pecans or whatever else you can imagine up. Then, get ready for an incredible day.

Characters in this Story

Dante

How to Be Super: The Violet Crown (Book One)

Part One: The Welcome Wall

Part One: The Welcome Wall

When twelve year old Dante is struck by lightning, it begins a series of incredible events that will change his life forever.
43 min
9+

Part Nine: The Battle Oaks

Part Nine: The Battle Oaks

As Dante and friends learn part two of the Prime Protocol, he's torn between becoming a superhero and worrying about his Grandfather who is in the hospital.
39 min
9+

Part Five: The Tower

Part Five: The Tower

Dante and his new friends learn about the history of the Violet Crown and meet the trainers who will lead them on their journey.
36 min
9+

Part Four: The Sculptures

Part Four: The Sculptures

Dante meets four other 12-year-olds who will join him in the Violet Crown, and they learn what they all have in common.
27 min
9+

Part Three: The Museum

Part Three: The Museum

While visiting a museum on a school trip, Dante inquires about a painting of the Violet Crown, and is invited to a special event that will explain everything.
31 min
9+

Part Two: The Restaurant

Part Two: The Restaurant

When Dante's grandfather gifts him a week of 'wayfinding camp" for his birthday, Dante discovers that the camp is really about more than maps.
23 min
9+

Part Twenty: The Frost Tower

Part Twenty: The Frost Tower

Dante and his friends go to battle with a team of "monsters" guarding the entrance to the Frost Tower, and after getting in, Dante must decide: should he leave or stay?
54 min
9+

Part Nineteen: The Plan

Part Nineteen: The Plan

Dante sets a plan in motion — one with the intention of getting to his father and finally telling him to leave him and his mother alone.
25 min
9+

Part Eighteen: The Bench

Part Eighteen: The Bench

Dante reflects on what he learned at Barking Springs and after talking with his mother, learns that his "father" must finally be dealt with.
24 min
9+

Part Seventeen: Barking Springs

Part Seventeen: Barking Springs

While visiting the oracle of Barking Springs, Dante and friends learn where each of their unique powers come from, and Dante is shocked at what he learns.
21 min
9+

Part Sixteen: Stepping into Something New

Part Sixteen: Stepping into Something New

Dante and friends talk about what they've learned, and what powers they've each discovered, and they learn that Kate has left the group, but not the reason why.
30 min
9+

Part Fifteen: Wooldridge Park

Part Fifteen: Wooldridge Park

Dante learns about the conflict between the Violet Crown and the Olympians that took place a century ago, and meets someone he's been both dreading, and wanting to meet.
30 min
9+

Part Fourteen: Congress Avenue

Part Fourteen: Congress Avenue

Dante learns the the value of the Fourth Protocol: "Tell No One”, after experiencing the disaster that comes when it is not followed.
24 min
9+

Part Thirteen: The Capitol Building

Part Thirteen: The Capitol Building

Dante meets two other superheroes who accompany him on a very exciting day while learning step four of the Protocol: Tell No One.
21 min
9+

Part Twelve: The Scottish Rite Temple

Part Twelve: The Scottish Rite Temple

While learning the third Protocol step: Do Something Brave, he comes to understand that this step is grounded in fear and weakness that must be overcome in order to be "super".
36 min
9+

Part Eleven: The University Hospital

Part Eleven: The University Hospital

When Dante visits his grandfather in the hospital, he learns something shocking: his grandfather is an oracle for the Violet Crown.
22 min
9+

Part Ten: The Drag

Part Ten: The Drag

Dante and Kate mark various spots around town and learn that they both learned of their "specialness" from the same red-haired girl.
23 min
9+

Part Eight: The Owl's Nest

Part Eight: The Owl's Nest

The group visits the top of University Tower and learn the first of four Prime Protocols: Keep your eyes open. This leads Dante to see some interesting connections between the past and present.
30 min
9+

Part Seven: The Back Room

Part Seven: The Back Room

On the first day of Superhero Camp, Dante and his friends meet the final trainer, Miss Marshall and learn that they all have special powers.
31 min
9+

Part Six: The Message Boards

Part Six: The Message Boards

Dante finally connects with one of his new friends and learns about the mysterious "Old Ones", along with some history about the Violet Crown.
26 min
9+

Get our Newsletter

Sign up to receive weekly email updates with new stories, Sparkle news, and seasonal activities!

Stay Connected

Download on the Apple App StoreDownload on the Google Play
©2025 Sparkle Stories. All rights reserved.