Flunked

Flunked
Jen Calonita
Sourcebooks, 2015 256 pages
Grades 4-7
Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Fairy Tale Reform School #1

Ever since the Cinderella's Fairy Godmother stole her father's design for glass slippers and the family's shoe-making business has been struggling, Gilly has been stealing from royals to help feed her family. Before long she is nabbed for a third offense and sent to Fairy Tale Reform School, which is run by Queen Cinderella's Stepmother. After the initial shock of being away from home and missing her family wears off, Gilly adjusts to her new environment. She finally has enough to eat, the classes are interesting, and she makes friends with her fairy roommate and a farmer boy and fellow thief named Jax. Harmony is disturbed at the school when, during a preliminary visit from royal princesses in preparation for the school's gala anniversary ball, an attack from one the teachers who appears to be bewitched is unleashed. Gilly must summon her courage to save Jax, while simultaneously saving the princesses and becoming the hero of the day. As a reward for her bravery Gilly is sprung from the school early and allowed to return to her humble family. But does she want to go? Who is behind the attack and will they repeat the dastardly attempt at the anniversary ball? Gilly's friends and enemies are not what they seem and she must make tough choices and use her wits and ingenuity to discover the truth and keep both the students and the visiting royals safe at the ball.

Generally known as a young adult author, Calonita pens a middle grade story right in line with the current trend of rebooted fairy tales. This highly readable book contains playful magical elements, humor, plot twists, and fast-paced action. It will apply to both fantasy and realistic readers in that although this is clearly a magical world, readers will identify with GIlly, who talks and behaves as a modern American girl might. The title is snappy and the cover is intriguing, which will draw in readers and the clever writing and speedy plot will keep them turning pages. Gilly is faced with some hard decisions as the story unfolds, but she becomes truly "reformed", putting her friends before herself and taking the more difficult, yet ethical, path. Surprises abound as characters’ true identities are revealed and the reader learns who the real "baddies" are. Both boys and girls will enjoy the story, but since the main character is obviously a girl, as seen from the cover, it may prove to be a hard sell to boys. The book reaches a satisfying conclusion, yet opens the door to further installments in the series. Two more entries follow this inaugural title with a fourth due for release in March 2018. Give to fairytale fans of Chris Colfer, the "Sisters Grimm", and "Whatever After".