The School for Dangerous Girls

By: Eliot Schrefer

Summary

Angela's parents think she's on the road to ruin because she's dating a "bad boy." After her behavior gets too much for them, they ship her off to Hidden Oak. Isolated and isolating, Hidden Oak promises to rehabilitate "dangerous girls." But as Angela gets drawn in further and further, she discovers that recovery is only on the agenda for the "better" girls. The other girls -- designated as "the purple thread" -- will instead be manipulated to become more and more dangerous . . . and more and more reliant on Hidden Oak's care. (from Amazon)

Review

Character Development: 5/10

Originality: 6/10

Overall Enjoyment: 5/10

Ending: 8/10

Voice: 6/10

Recommendation: 5/10

Total Score: 35

Grade: B

Rating:

Cussing: 8/10
Drugs, Alcohol, Etc.: 7/10

Sexual Content: 1/10

Aimed at: 14 and up

Other:

# of pages: about 341 pg.

Written in: 1rst person narrative, teen girl

Released on: January 1, 2009

Tone: violent, shocking, and dark

Pros: good plot, foreshadowing, and emotion

Cons: unrealistic characters or plot line

Written Review:

I don't really know what to say about this book. It was an interesting idea but that's really all it has going for it. The characters were very impersonal to me but I am a reader who lives for good, relatable characters so I could just be judging this book hard. Obviously Angela had a dark past and we only find out about it through very vague memories she shares with the "Coven" and that really isn't enough to feel any sympathy for her at all and the same goes for the other characters who also lacked "realness" if that makes any sense.

There were too many shocking twists that didn't make sense. I love surprises in books, otherwise they become too predictable, but in The School for Dangerous Girls the surprises just didn't fit. I would give examples but that would spoil the book. Sorry. Also the punishments and teachers were not very believable. I get that the girls are "dangerous" and all but locking someone in a freezer? That seems a little harsh to me. And the teachers just don't care and neither do the parents which also surprises and confuses me because if their goal is to get these students to improve in their behavior shouldn't they take the time to get to know the student and give them opportunities to recover not opportunities to get knocked down again.

Even with all of those negative comments the book was semi-enjoyable. Angela has a clever and sarcastic voice which makes this book a little lighter and easier to read than the cruel idea of teachers treating their students like worthless animals. The plot was exciting, intense, and dramatic. There was a lot of foreshadowing I picked up on later and that was neat.

So overall it wasn't my favorite book but it was entertaining at the most.

-Jill

That was my first negative review and I feel pretty bad about it but it has to be said, right? What do you think?