Switched (Fairy Tale Reform School, #4)

by Jen Calonita

The fourth installment in the beloved Fairy Tale Reform School series where the teachers are (former) villains
Reform or relapse?
Things at Fairy Tale Reform School are great. Rumpelstiltskin has been ousted, and everyone is buzzing about the fact that Beauty and Prince Sebastian (aka the Beast) have joined the teaching staff. Everyone, that is, except Gilly, who can’t seem to focus on anything but Anna. How is it that her beloved sister somehow went bad and joined up with Rump? And why doesn’t anyone seem to care? Sure, the Royal Court says they’re working on it, but they’ve got exactly nothing to show for it.
But when new-kid Jack joins FTRS with tales of his own family being snatched by Rump, Gilly knows she’s in good company. Jack wants answers, just like Gilly. And if the Royal Court can’t get the job done, then maybe it’s time to break some rules…
This series is perfect for read-alongs between parents and kids and engaging reluctant readers.

• ISBN10: 1492651648
• ISBN13: 9781492651642
• Publish Date: 6 March 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 29 June 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Sourcebooks Young Readers
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Aimed at a middle-grade audience, Switched is the 4th book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series by Jen Calonita. The series provides a wry twist to classic fairy tale characters with some modern attitude and updated freshness.

I occasionally like to grab a middle grade fantasy to sort of reset my palate after a bunch of serious literary reviews, and this one satisfies. It's light and fun and undemanding. The recurring characters from the earlier books are back along with some new faces.

Although the book is somewhat 'genre'/flavor of the month, and the plot is fairly predictable, it's rollicking and fun and will undoubtedly be a favorite for middle graders. I did enjoy it and found myself smiling and chuckling fairly often. I do have to admit that calling Rumpelstiltskin 'Rump' every other sentence began to wear on me after the first few pages. The main character Gilly, is stubborn and somewhat hotheaded but is (mostly) true to her friends and will be relatable for most middle graders.

The book is well written and plotted and I didn't find it lagging for me or failing to keep my interest. It's fairly long for a middle reader book at 304 pages and is available in hardback, paperback, ebook and audio formats. Published 6th March, 2018 from Sourcebooks Jabberwocky imprint.

At the end of the book is a 2 chapter teaser for the author's newest book, Misfits book 1 in the Royal Acadamy Rebels series (due out in October 2018).

Three and a half stars, enjoyable.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.

[tweetybugshouse]

Jan's Review
This is one of my favorite middle grade series i am way beyond that age group but it thoroughly enjoy all the twists and turns.  This one i think is my favorite as it centers on Beauty and the beast.  Fairy Tale Reform school gets a new library and some new professors.  The description of the library is on point.  I so want to visit it and check out the magical books.   It also follows more the tale of Rumpelstiltskin and his attempt to take over FTRS.  I always thought the back story for Rumple would be very fascinating to read.   
If your thinking this is the end to this series it not and the very end gives you a small snippet of a new series that i am sure will delight just as much as this one does.  It a quick read and will fulfill your child like imagination in anyone who love fairy tales