At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish). This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school.

Gradually-too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic-it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. Palacio's Wonder (2012) and all readers learning how to be comfortable in their own skins.Ĭhainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.Įvery four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. CAV is both a gentle dig at anti-bullying platitudes-words can and do hurt-and a reminder that words can heal.Įlyse's struggles toward self-confidence will resonate with fans of R.J. But as she awkwardly makes new friends, chronicling her progress with (very careful) self-deprecating humor in short chapters and notes to her future self, she realizes, 'You couldn't just read them you had to feel them, too.' The unsteady emotions of middle school are palpable in Cooper's debut, from trying on identities to believing moments that pass like a blush will last forever even teachers learn to grow.

When mysterious notes challenge her to try out to lead the sixth-grade class trip, she reasons that winning will net her enough positive comments to cure the itch. Soon, rashes like PATHETIC and WORTHLESS break out: words Elyse thinks about herself. Good words soothe, while bad ones itch 'more than a thousand mosquito bites.' Her friend Jeg has always protected her from mean comments, but the pressure of a new clique draws Jeg away, leaving Elyse to flounder and fend for herself-as if starting middle school weren't hard enough already. Due to a rare condition called cognadjivisibilitis, anything people say about 11-year-old Elyse appears on her arms and legs-part temporary tattoo, part eczema.

Abby cooper books