Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Sourcebooks / Jabberwocky
Pages
263
Description
When petty thief Gilly, who lives with five younger brothers and sisters in a run-down boot, gets caught stealing, she is sentenced to three months at Fairy Tale Reform School, where all of the teachers are former villains, including the Big Bad Wolf, the Evil Queen, and Cinderella's Wicked Stepmother.
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2015
Physical description
263 p.; 7.5 inches
ISBN
9781492620815
UPC
760789253027
Similar in this library
Lexile
710L
User reviews
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a fun, frivolous, fast read.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a fun, frivolous, fast read.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a fun, frivolous, fast read.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
This was a fun, frivolous, fast read.
LibraryThing member kirathelibrarian
When Gilly is caught stealing bread for her family, she is sentenced to three month at the Fairy Tale Reform School. The school would be a dream place to live it weren’t for the former villain teachers who may or may not have given up their evil ways. Something sinister, however, is going on at
The plot is well developed, engaging, and has lots of plot twists. The characters are unique and extremely entertaining. Calonita easily draws readers into Gilly's world with her character dynamics and sense of humor. Fans of fairy tale retellings, snarky main characters, fantasy, and mystery will enjoy reading this book.
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the school. When the royal princesses come to inspect the school and someone tries multiple times to kill the, Gilly wonders if someone is trying to start a war or worse. She enlists the help of her friend, Jax. He, however, is hiding something. Can Gilly save the school and her new friends? Can she trust Jax? Who is trying to sabotage the school? The plot is well developed, engaging, and has lots of plot twists. The characters are unique and extremely entertaining. Calonita easily draws readers into Gilly's world with her character dynamics and sense of humor. Fans of fairy tale retellings, snarky main characters, fantasy, and mystery will enjoy reading this book.
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LibraryThing member BillieBook
the writing was good, but not great and the story ended up a little preachy for my taste. Its target audience will likely not have the same issues with it that I did, but I just couldn't get too enthusiastic about it.
LibraryThing member Dmtcer
A little hard to follow in places, but still enjoyable.
LibraryThing member sszkutak
I have loved this cover since the very first time I saw it and I hate to admit it, but I do judge a book by its cover. Luckily this time I was right and I really enjoyed Flunked. This book takes the re-telling of fairy tales and adds in flare but making the former villains head of a reform school
Wonderfully, you get to see villains and princesses from fairy tales we know and love and have them be the background to a new hero - Gillian. Gillian is one of the many daughters of the Cobbler and she hates the royals - they take everything and live wonderful lives while her family barely feeds themselves. When she gets thrown into reform school, she never images that she will actually reform.
Gilly is quite the main character, she loves others but looks out for her own, she is strong-willed, but also somewhat willing to change and so she grows a lot in this book. Because of her character I flew through this read, the plot was very well done and fun to read but I liked Gilly, and I liked the person she started out as and the one she becomes. It was a wonderful first book in a series and I can't wait to pick up the next one.
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that teaches young might-be villains the ways of good, thus reforming them for Enchantasia. Wonderfully, you get to see villains and princesses from fairy tales we know and love and have them be the background to a new hero - Gillian. Gillian is one of the many daughters of the Cobbler and she hates the royals - they take everything and live wonderful lives while her family barely feeds themselves. When she gets thrown into reform school, she never images that she will actually reform.
Gilly is quite the main character, she loves others but looks out for her own, she is strong-willed, but also somewhat willing to change and so she grows a lot in this book. Because of her character I flew through this read, the plot was very well done and fun to read but I liked Gilly, and I liked the person she started out as and the one she becomes. It was a wonderful first book in a series and I can't wait to pick up the next one.
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LibraryThing member thebumblegirl
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
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. We see and know precisely what Gilly does without unnecessary details, which is exactly what my boys enjoy.
Fun, sassy and bold - we cannot wait to read the next book in this series! One of the best middle grade books of this year!
*I received an eARC from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Gilly is a 12 year old who
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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. We see and know precisely what Gilly does without unnecessary details, which is exactly what my boys enjoy.
Fun, sassy and bold - we cannot wait to read the next book in this series! One of the best middle grade books of this year!
*I received an eARC from the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
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LibraryThing member Spurts
This was just a fun, middle grade romp. I really enjoyed and will be reading more in the series.
LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
This starts off a fractured Fairy Tale Series that has adventure, villians, heroes and friendships. 12 year old Gillian aka Gilly, has become a thief to support her family. Her father, a cobbler, has lost business since all glass slippers are now conjured up by Princess Ella's fairy godmother.
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After being caught numerous times, she is sent to FTRS (Fairy Tale Reform School). All the teachers and head mistress are reformed villians such as Flora (Cinderella's stepmother), Professor Wolfie (the Big Bad Wolf) and the Sea Witch. Gilly quickly gets in trouble with one of the students, but also gathers together her own friends. With Jax at her side, she learns to fly a pegasus and head off to find gargoyles. With evil within the walls, attacking the princesses of Enchantasia, Jilly shows that she is not afraid, is loyal and gutsy. The characters are both good and bad and most are very afraid of what is happening. When the story ends, we find out that Gilly and her friends will be spending more time at FTRS and I am sure they will have more adventures in the next book. A great middle grades story showing strong female characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member roses7184
As I expected, this book was a ton of fun to read! While the age group this book is aimed at will probably love it the most, there's a lot here to love for us older readers as well. Imagine a reform school for the villainous. A magical place filled with Pegasus riding classes and mermaid teachers.
Flunked is packed to the brim will all sorts of lovable, and maybe even slightly evil, misfits. Gilly is our main character, and she fits in perfectly. Not quite a villain, but not exactly the picture of a model citizen either. I liked Gilly a lot. Kind, resourceful, and loyal to her family no matter what. Unfortunately, her love of her family is exactly what lands her in Fairy Tale Reform School. It raises the question, is evil really evil if there is reason for the crime? Once she stepped foot into FTRS, and I met the rest of the characters, I was hooked.
The one downside to this story is that there isn't much time for character development. It's likely that won't matter to the middle grade readers that this story is aimed at, but I craved more insight into the amazing characters populating this story. There were so many nods to the stories that I grew up loving. I giggled more than once at the antics Gilly and her friends were up to.
Still, this story is fast paced and well written, so it's hard not to fall in love. I read it through from beginning to end in about an hour, and I can't wait for more. I know this is the first in a series, and I'm honestly excited about it. I look forward to much more from Jen Calonita and her magical reform school.
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If you're a fan of fairy tale retellings, this story will definitely make you smile.Flunked is packed to the brim will all sorts of lovable, and maybe even slightly evil, misfits. Gilly is our main character, and she fits in perfectly. Not quite a villain, but not exactly the picture of a model citizen either. I liked Gilly a lot. Kind, resourceful, and loyal to her family no matter what. Unfortunately, her love of her family is exactly what lands her in Fairy Tale Reform School. It raises the question, is evil really evil if there is reason for the crime? Once she stepped foot into FTRS, and I met the rest of the characters, I was hooked.
The one downside to this story is that there isn't much time for character development. It's likely that won't matter to the middle grade readers that this story is aimed at, but I craved more insight into the amazing characters populating this story. There were so many nods to the stories that I grew up loving. I giggled more than once at the antics Gilly and her friends were up to.
Still, this story is fast paced and well written, so it's hard not to fall in love. I read it through from beginning to end in about an hour, and I can't wait for more. I know this is the first in a series, and I'm honestly excited about it. I look forward to much more from Jen Calonita and her magical reform school.
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LibraryThing member SJGirl
Twelve year old Gilly has made a career of robbing the royals to keep her large family fed, however, that comes to a crashing halt when Gilly’s nabbed for thievery and sentenced to a reform school staffed by infamous fairytale villains (Cinderella’s step-mother, Snow White’s evil queen,
This had a fun, creative concept, particularly in the wide array of students populating the school, in addition to an ordinary every day cobbler’s kid like Gilly, there are fairies, trolls, and even mermaids who sit in tanks at the back of class, making for an abundance of “visually” interesting details.
As much as I liked Gilly’s strength and intelligence, I liked Maxine, a bullied troll, and Kayla, a conflicted fairy, just a little more. There was something in Maxine and Kayla’s vulnerability and in the physical descriptions of their vulnerability that made them kind of adorable, even though in appearance Maxine allegedly isn’t traditionally adorable, and in her questionable actions, Kayla certainly has her moments where she shouldn’t be adorable, either, but it’s the power of a well-crafted dimensional character that I found things to adore in each of them.
Readers more into intrigue and action will undoubtedly enjoy the latter half of this book more than I did. Not that I found it bad, it’s just my sensibilities run more towards the emotional dynamics between Gilly and her family, Kayla grappling with her guilty conscience, and Maxine tentatively gaining friendships, so those were the areas of the book where it shone just a bit brighter for me.
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etc.), all of whom claim to be reformed themselves. But have they truly reformed?This had a fun, creative concept, particularly in the wide array of students populating the school, in addition to an ordinary every day cobbler’s kid like Gilly, there are fairies, trolls, and even mermaids who sit in tanks at the back of class, making for an abundance of “visually” interesting details.
As much as I liked Gilly’s strength and intelligence, I liked Maxine, a bullied troll, and Kayla, a conflicted fairy, just a little more. There was something in Maxine and Kayla’s vulnerability and in the physical descriptions of their vulnerability that made them kind of adorable, even though in appearance Maxine allegedly isn’t traditionally adorable, and in her questionable actions, Kayla certainly has her moments where she shouldn’t be adorable, either, but it’s the power of a well-crafted dimensional character that I found things to adore in each of them.
Readers more into intrigue and action will undoubtedly enjoy the latter half of this book more than I did. Not that I found it bad, it’s just my sensibilities run more towards the emotional dynamics between Gilly and her family, Kayla grappling with her guilty conscience, and Maxine tentatively gaining friendships, so those were the areas of the book where it shone just a bit brighter for me.
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LibraryThing member LVStrongPuff
I really didn't know what I was getting into with this book, but I really liked it.
Gilly is one of the children of the cobbler that lives in a shoe. She is a thief that tries to get food and things for her family. After being caught for the 3rd time stealing she is sent to Fairy Tale Reform
Gilly reminds me of some of my friends. People that worry about their family more than themselves. The school doesn't seem that bad for a reform school, but something strange is going on. There is a pretty good twist at the end of the book. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series.
Gilly is one of the children of the cobbler that lives in a shoe. She is a thief that tries to get food and things for her family. After being caught for the 3rd time stealing she is sent to Fairy Tale Reform
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school. The school is run by former villains: Big Bad Wolf, Evil Queen, and Cinderella's Step-Mother. Gilly makes friends with Kyla and Jax. Something is going on at the school and Gilly is in the middle of it. Gilly reminds me of some of my friends. People that worry about their family more than themselves. The school doesn't seem that bad for a reform school, but something strange is going on. There is a pretty good twist at the end of the book. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series.
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LibraryThing member LiteraryFeline
I picked this fairytale themed middle grade novel up at the height of my daughter's interest in fairytale retellings, thinking she might like it. She has not yet read it--but I do think she would enjoy it. I know I did.
Twelve year old Gilly would do anything for her family, and that includes
It turns out reform school isn't at all what Gilly expected, and she quickly learns that not everything is quite what it may seem. Joined by her new friends, Jax and Kayla, among others, Gilly finds herself at the center of a wicked plan--and they the only ones who can put a stop to it.
Gilly is the kind of character I think my daughter would really like. She may be a thief, but it is hard not to understand why she does it. The Royals have everything and the commoners have hardly anything. Her family is poor and struggling. She loves her family and is very loyal to them. She is surrounded by friends with complex backgrounds of their own. There are funny moments as well as thoughtful ones, and plenty of action and suspense throughout the novel. Anyone who is familiar with the original fairytales may recognize some of the characters, and hopefully will enjoy this fresh take on them. I know I did. I especially was interested in the world building. Happily ever after for the ruling princesses and royal class clearly isn't a happily ever after for everyone else, and it is nice to see that side explored more. Not to mention, I enjoy a story in which unexpected heroes rise to the occasion. I am be curious to see where the author takes this series.
Twelve year old Gilly would do anything for her family, and that includes
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stealing so her brothers and sisters have enough food. Her father's shoe business hasn't been doing so well since the fairy god mother started making glass slippers. Gilly is an excellent thief--at least until she gets caught and sent to the Fairy Tale Reform School run by Princess Ella's Wicked Stepmother. The teachers at the school are all former villains, now reformed. Remember the Big Bad Wolf, and the Evil Queen? Or the siren who tried to ruin the Little Mermaid's life? The promise of the school is to reform children who are on the path to villainy and turn them into heroes. But can villains really change?It turns out reform school isn't at all what Gilly expected, and she quickly learns that not everything is quite what it may seem. Joined by her new friends, Jax and Kayla, among others, Gilly finds herself at the center of a wicked plan--and they the only ones who can put a stop to it.
Gilly is the kind of character I think my daughter would really like. She may be a thief, but it is hard not to understand why she does it. The Royals have everything and the commoners have hardly anything. Her family is poor and struggling. She loves her family and is very loyal to them. She is surrounded by friends with complex backgrounds of their own. There are funny moments as well as thoughtful ones, and plenty of action and suspense throughout the novel. Anyone who is familiar with the original fairytales may recognize some of the characters, and hopefully will enjoy this fresh take on them. I know I did. I especially was interested in the world building. Happily ever after for the ruling princesses and royal class clearly isn't a happily ever after for everyone else, and it is nice to see that side explored more. Not to mention, I enjoy a story in which unexpected heroes rise to the occasion. I am be curious to see where the author takes this series.
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Awards
Children's Favorites Awards (Selection — 2016)
Call number
J4A.Cal