Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School, #1)

by Jen Calonita

[Berls]

This review appeared first at Fantasy is More Fun.
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

3.5 stars.
I remember when I broke my oath to stay away from NetGalley for a while to pick up Flunked. I saw it on Michelle's Sunday Post and I had to have it - I mean, look at that cover! Although I did enjoy it, I'm afraid I didn't love Flunked like I thought I would.

I think the principal reason I didn't love it was that I was the wrong audience. I think I went into expecting a YA and I got a Middle Grade. I think it's probably entirely my fault - looking at the details now, I realize it wasn't marketed as a YA. I should have paid more attention.

But, it's not like being an MG is a deal breaker. Harry Potter started off MG (I feel it grew into YA), and I ate that up (still do). Flunked actually had several similarities to Harry Potter, particularly in the Howards-esque Fairy tale Reform School and the brave students/troublemakers. I enjoyed these elements, because - while they felt familiar - they still bore their own unique stamps.

I liked the characters and the concept - take the villains of fairy tales and show them on the course to redemption, while they teach youngsters who are in danger of becoming villains on their own to pick a better course. And Flunked had several messages about how to make good decisions, despite disappointments, disadvantages, and setbacks.

Flunked was entertaining and I'm thinking it might be a great book to make available to my 5th graders. I just would have preferred the YA version for myself, I think.