I first read The School for Good and Evil when I was in 7th grade. I remember my friend handing me the book and telling me I needed to read it. I was in my classes, reading and wishing I was in the School for Good and Evil along with Agatha and Sophie. This book is something I remember fondly from my childhood and was one of the main series that ignited my love for reading. I recommend this book for teens who want to read an easy book with magic, romance, and lots of the found-family tropes.

This book begins when Agatha and Sophie, two friends in a small village, are preparing for the School Master to come to their home. Every four years, the School Master from the School of Good and Evil (a rumored magical school that schools the main characters and villains in fairy tales) takes two readers—one evil and one good—to their school. Sophie wants to be taken by the School Master to become a princess and have her fairy tale. Agatha, who is seen as a witch by others because dresses in black and has a single mom, has finally made a friend that makes her life seem happier. She is determined to make sure that nothing comes in the way between her and her friend, even if that means stopping an all-powerful School Master.

This book was the first book I ever read that truly showed how important friendships are, especially as a female. I feel like romantic relationships have always been seen as more important, even in literature, and reading about two friends who value their friendship means a lot to me. While this book has romance, it doesn’t overpower Agatha’s and Sophie’s bond. In addition, as someone who loves fairy tales, reading a book where they are mentioned but incorporated in such a unique way was fun and was what originally brought me to this universe. This is the first of a six-book series that is worth every minute of reading!

Review by: Michelle B.

Michelle is a volunteer at Sylmar Branch Library. She is a 12th grader at Assurance Learning Academy.

—Dana Eklund, Sylmar Branch Library