A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Lisa Yee
Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups
Another Caudill nominee. Already getting ready for next school year. I like to do quick little booktalks at the end of the year on the award nominees so that students have something to read over the summer. Olive is sent off to RASCH a ‘reforming arts school’. But this school is not what it seems to be. It is actually a cover for underdogs who fight crime! In her first few weeks at the school she is being taught all sorts of things to help her succeed. She is learning to fight, to spy, to stay invisible (if you start picking your nose most adults will turn away from you). All of these new skills are going to be helpful as Olive learns that the school is in danger of closing. There is a thief on the loose and the threat of losing jewels might keep the rich donors from attending the big fundraiser. This fundraiser could make or break the school, if they don’t raise enough money RASCH might have to close! Can Olive and her classmates save the day?
These kids are awesome. It’s like all those spy movies but with kids. These kids are speaking multiple languages with ease, doing all sorts of acrobatics, and developing amazing spy technology. I think my favorite was the stink spray. “Long-lasting fart-smelling spray that can be used on assailants to identify them later. Or use it on yourself to repel people.” I found that so funny. I think I have been working in middle school for too long, fart jokes make me laugh.
I found myself thinking that so many people were thieves as I read through this book. Anyone could be the bad guy! It was so fun that I really couldn’t tell who it could have been. There were a lot of random little things that made me think that it could be someone, but nothing really solid. I knew certain things were connected, but I couldn’t figure out how they were connected. It was a fun book! I’m excited to continue with this series.
Literary Coffee 