As a big Karen McCombie fan, I started reading this series when it first came out and instantly fell in love. The whole idea of this boarding school was fun, exciting and adventurous and I know that my younger self would have absolutely devoured these books. Somehow I managed to skip book three – something which I will be rectifying at some point – but needless to say it wasn’t necessary to my enjoyment of this book. Fortunately, in fact, all four of these books can be read without having read the previous books but of course, there’s just further background if you have read them – and I am positive that once you’ve read one, you’ll go back and read the others!
Karen McCombie has done a marvellous job with these books in creating likeable and fun characters. I fell in love with everyone at the unusual St Grizzle’s school. Of course, these books only work so well because they are full of adventure, intrigue and of course – mischeviousnous! There is a school rivalry between St Grizzle’s and the village school, mostly created from the nature that St Grizzle’s is just too different, so it is up to the St Grizzle’s students to show their new guests, just how wonderful and fantastic they truly are!
I honestly loved this book so much. It shows how amazing it is to be unique and how we should all be celebrated for our talents – and that it is always important to remember to be the child that you are. It is a story that is just fun and full of flair. I highly recommend it to both adults and children alike as I am certain that you won’t regret picking up these marvellous books!