"Flunked" disappointingly flunked at creating an interesting story. Flunked had a ton of potential to become a really magical story that could have been heart-tugging while also could have had room for witty dialogue. I was really excited to read this but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations. The description had me hyped for nothing. First, The storyline was flat and bland, and it seemed as if the author had a blurry idea of what they wanted their story to be but didn't spend much time organizing their thoughts. The plot was weak and predictable with no exciting twists. Next, I found it lacking a lot of chemistry between characters, and Flunked could really have used a lot more interaction and quip. I got the vibe that the author had read The School For Good And Evil and made a poor copy of it while trying to put a modern twist on it. Lastly, I couldn't connect with Gilly as a character. There just is nothing about her that makes her stand out as an individual; she's just a thief. Hopefully the next book will be more original.
Flunked (Fairy Tale Reform School)
By Jen Calonita
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 4 - 8 | Grade 5 | n/a | 4.8 | 46318 |
Would you send a villain to do a hero's job?
Flunked is an exciting new twisted fairy tale from the award-winning author of the Secrets of My Hollywood Life series. "Charming fairy-tale fun." -Sarah Mlynowski, author of the New York Times bestselling Whatever After series.
Gilly wouldn't call herself wicked, exactly...but when you have five little brothers and sisters and live in a run-down boot, you have to get creative to make ends meet. Gilly's a pretty good thief (if she does say so herself).
Until she gets caught.
Gilly's sentenced to three months at Fairy Tale Reform School where all of the teachers are former (super-scary) villains like the Big Bad Wolf, the Evil Queen, and Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother. Harsh. But when she meets fellow students Jax and Kayla, she learns there's more to this school than its heroic mission. There's a battle brewing and Gilly has to wonder: can a villain really change?
"Fairy Tale Reform School is spellbinding and wickedly clever. Gilly is smart, spunky, and a hilarious narrator, and I cannot wait to read about her next adventure!" -Leslie Margolis, author of the Annabelle Unleashed novels and the Maggie Brooklyn mysteries
"Fairy Tale Reform School is a fresh and funny take on the enchanted world. (And who hasn't always wanted to know what happened to Cinderella's stepmother?)" -Julia DeVillers, author of the Trading Faces identical twin series and Emma Emmets, Playground Matchmaker
Book Reviews (37)
This book was full of magic! It was so cool how the author used most of the fairy tales and combined them! I think this was one of my favourite books. Although the book did get a little boring in the middle so I would rate this book a 3. :D!!
Gilly lives in a shoe in Enchantasia with her five siblings and her parents. There the four princesses, Ella, Snow, Rose, and Rapunzel rule the realm. The reformed villains run the school, Fairy Tale Reform School, including the Evil Queen, Cinderella's Stepmother, and the Sea Siren, but other villains Gottie and Alva are on the run. Life hasn't been easy for Gilly. Although her father had a huge success as shoemaker when he invented the glass slipper, Ella rerouted all orders to go to the Fairy Godmother. So now Gilly's family is hungry, and Gilly has a bitterness for the royals. So Gilly becomes a thief to feed her family. Sometimes she steals bread or actual food, but more often than not she will pawn something off from an unsuspecting low-level royal. One such day she steals a bag of bread, and a dragon-tooth comb for her little sister's birthday. But then she gets caught. Before she knows it she is being forced to attend Reform School. After she gets there she meets Jax and Kayla, and and makes a few other friends. Things are a little rocky, especially with Professor Harrow(the evil queen), and her little sister Jocelyn. But things are beyond problems with detention. Something sneaky is going on. But does it have to do with the headmistress? Or does it have to do with Professor Harrow? Who can Gilly trust? Van villains really change? And what is going on? I really liked this new twist of several of the fairy-tales combined. It was a fresh plot, and I had no idea what was going to happen next, and who was the bad guy and good guy? I recommend this book to middle grade kids who enjoy fairy-tale twists. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
i think this was pretty girly my mom told me who cinderella was and her step mom was mean! my school principal can be mean too i dont think the step mother really changed like the book says i think she just wanted to be mean to more people because shes a sad lonly person and it makes her feel better to be mean.
this is a amazing book it would be a gud book for anyone read it. i find it sad and happy mix . read this book
This was a hilarious and serious book at the same time. The protagonist, Gilly, has to steal to get things because they are poor, until she gets caught and has to go to a reform school, taught by former villains. This book was very interesting, although it was a little confusing for me. The author included many twists and turns that takes the book to another level.
This was an interesting book. Gilly, the oldest of six of a shoemaker, lived in a boot and stole from the rich to get money for food, because they are poor. She gets caught, and is sent to a reform school run by former fairy tale villains.
Amusing, witty and full of magic - FLUNKED has a wonderful assortment of fairytales and their characters, most notably, their villains. A wonderful book that will make you think about what defines the good from the bad, giving second chances and who your true friends are. Gilly is a 12 year old who has developed a Robin Hood complex due to her father's dying shoemaking business. She steals from the nobles in order to help put food in her siblings bellies and smiles on their faces. One of six siblings who live in a shoe, Gilly has brought it onto herself to take the risks to do what she can. She knows that if she is caught she will be sent to Fairytale Reform School and her siblings will suffer. When Gilly pulls off her biggest heist to date, she is completely unaware of the trail she leaves behind until she is caught. Having to see the disappointment on her families faces is hard, but being sent away to school is even worse. Who will help and look after her siblings. Fairytale Reform School was founded by the reformed "Wicked Stepmother", Flora. After realizing how badly she mistreated Ella, Flora decided to change her ways and what better way to complete the process than to extend a hand to others who have done wrong and help them find a way to better themselves. After reforming these "villains", she recruited them to do something worthy with themselves within society and asked them to join her faculty at the school. A few of these memorable characters are - the Werewolf that ate Little Red's grandmother, the Sea Witch and the Evil Queen, who is still obsessed with apples. The school itself resembles a castle - with ornate rooms and furniture, and nothing is lacking. Gilly's classes and meals are better than anything else she's ever had in her life. She feels guilty for not being able to take care of her siblings, but also, for living better than them too. However, strange things have been happening at the school. Unexplained disappearances and teachers and students acting differently... something is happening. And Gilly and her friends are going to find out what it is. What I love most about this book is Gilly's personality, she is very strong-minded and not only sticks up for what she believes in but for others too. She won't tolerate any type of bullying towards anyone and is very loyal to what and who she believes in. Gilly is definitely someone you can count on. Her new friends all fit an important role in her life and situation. There is a little magic here and there, but by all means, this is no fairytale where magic fixes everything and things are swept away with a swish of a wand. Everyone has to work hard and your best is always expected. The story is wonderfully written and told strictly from Gilly's point of view, primarily through conversations and her thoughts. I see and know precisely what Gilly does without unnecessary details.
This book is wonderful! Your common fairy tales collide in this epic story! Gilly is the Shoemaker's daughter (she lives in a boot with her large family, lives in Enchantasia), and her family is having trouble making ends meet. So instead of being a good girl and working in her father's workshop, she pickpockets the disgusting royals who roam around town with their Sunday Best. She gets caught one day and get sent to Fairy Tale Reform School. FTRS is a school that former villians teach wrong-doing children to right their wrongs and become good and proper. There, Gilly makes 4 friends. Once Gilly gets a feeling something is wrong, her and her friends sneak around the school to find out the truth. In the end, they save the school and the world from one non-reformed villian whose plan was to wipe everyone's minds, then convince everyone she was queen. This book continues in the next book called Charmed. This is another great book by Jen Calonita!
unexpected !!! the sneaky boy was really a royal. and the fairy double-crossed them . and the which was really the evil queen that every one thought was dead ! ! !