Marvelous Middle Grade Monday is hosted by Shannon Messenger, author of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES (Oct 2012). The weekly meme is to showcase middle grade books you love and/or feature an upcoming MG release, author interview or MG review. To learn more about MMGM click here!
ALICE-MIRANDA AT SCHOOL
By: Jacqueline Harvey
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Pub. Date: March 2012 in US
Formats: HC, PB & Electronic
Pages: 272
Genre: MG Adventure
Age Group: MG +
Source: Bookstore
Follow Jacqueline Harvey on: Twitter | Website | goodreads
Purchase ALICE-MIRANDA AT SCHOOL on: Amazon | B&N | TBD | IB
Goodreads Synopsis:Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennigton-Jones can’t wait to start boarding school. When she arrives at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, the adventure begins . . . only not quite as Alice-Miranda expects. The minute she sets foot on the school’s manicured grounds, she senses that something is wrong: Miss Grimm, the headmistress, is nowhere to be seen, the gardens have no flowers, and a mysterious stranger seems to be hiding out on the premises.
But that’s not all. Some girls are mean and spoiled, like Alethea Goldsworthy. Can Alice-Miranda defeat Alethea in one of three difficult tests she must pass to remain at school? Will she discover Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale’s big secret—and make things right? Well, if anyone can, it’s spunky Alice-Miranda!
Review: Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith Kennington-Jones may be quite a mouthful, but don’t let this pretentious name fool you because she’s anything but! At seven and three-quarters, Alice-Miranda is precocious and spirited and after reading her first adventure, ALICE-MIRANDA AT SCHOOL by Jacqueline Harvey, I want to carry her in my pocket for good cheer!
The little tyke is so excited about attending Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, which has been a family tradition, that she enrolls a year early. Much to her beloved parents surprise, of course. But knowing Alice-Miranda and her desire to learn and make friends, they send her on her merry way with a skip in her step through the doors of the school. They tell her that if she needs anything or if she ends up having a terrible time, she can come home.
Alice-Miranda is not to be deterred in her mission to attend the school and quickly investigates the school campus and grounds. She meets Miss Higgins, the school secretary, Charlie, the gardener and Cook, who makes the most delicious brownies. But Alice-Miranda notices something right off the bat…they all seem sad. She’s extremely curious and wants to make everyone happy, including the headmistress, Miss Grimm, who just like her name wants nothing to do with any of the girls at school, especially, spunky Alice-Miranda. Yet underneath her rude and sharp behavior, Miss Grimm is a lonely woman who hides away her study from the world because of her past. But Alice-Miranda doesn’t let that stop her from discovering the truth about Miss Grimm. She also makes friends with her fellow classmates, including Millie who has just as long of last name. She also makes an enemy of the school mean girl, Alethea who’s bossy, spoiled and downright dreadful! Through it all, Alice-Miranda finds a way to make things right and do the right thing.
She loves school, learning about new things, and meeting new people, including bringing joy and smiles to everyone at school as well as the reader. Author Jacqueline Harvey drew on her experiences working at an all-girls school which gave her the inspiration for her book series. If you are lucky enough to live in Australia where Harvey and Alice-Miranda lives, there are several Alice-Miranda books available. In the US and UK only ALICE-MIRANDA is on bookshelves. Drats! However, on April 13th, ALICE-MIRANDA ON VACATION (or on Holiday, if you are in the UK or Australia) will be released.
ALICE-MIRANDA AT SCHOOL is just as charming, delightful and funny as its protagonist. The novel is filled with a few side plots that kept me turning the pages into the wee hours of the night and brought a tear to my eye at book’s end. As Millie says, three cheers for Alice-Miranda: Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!
I’m giving ALICE-MIRANDA AT SCHOOL 5 “Middle Grade Book Fans” for being infectiously darling!
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This sounds great–funny and interesting all rolled in one. Thank you for you enthusiastic review.
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So adorable and I love love the covers.
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for sharing about it.
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I’ve heard good things about this from another MMGM blogger recently. Sounds adorable.
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Okay this sounds adorable. I’m going to have to pick it up for my oldest.
“Darling” is the word indeed. I’m adding this to my list. Sounds like a must read
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