#MMGM: A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Lisa Yee & Dan Santa
ABOUT THE BOOK
“For any kid who’s felt like a misfit, this crackling adventure packs a wallop!” —Lincoln Peirce, creator of Big Nate and Max & the Midknights
Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school a former castle turned prison that's now a “reforming arts school”!
But nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH ( not “rash”). There, she’s lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in time.
Turns out that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.
REVIEW
As a fan of unusual school stories as well as a fan of Lisa Yee and Dan Santat, I eagerly picked up A Royal Conundrum. As Olive adjusts to life at RASCH, she discovers that there is more to the school than she first thought. After being recruited to join a team of other students who like her have unusual skills and don't quite fit in with the other students, Olive finds herself enjoying school for the first time. This team is intended to help solve crimes secretly. But with the school on the edge of closing after a criminal mastermind absconds with valuable gems during the school's yearly fundraiser, it's up to Olive and the rest of the Misfits to save the day. While the story reads mostly as a fun adventure there are important themes blended in related to friendship, teamwork, persistence, and overcoming mistakes. Santat's black and white illustrations add a delightful touch, highlighting the character's personalities and misadventures. A delightful series opener that presents lots of adventure with plenty of action (the kids train in combat after all), and a touch of sci fi (lots of fun gadgets--one of the students is a tech genius).
Comments
Post a Comment