By Jazzy Nova

Children

What if you went to a magical school where you were trained to become a fairy-tale hero or villain? In The School for Good and Evil, Soman Chainani takes readers on an exciting adventure full of magic, mystery and unexpected surprises!

The story follows Sophie, who dreams of becoming a beautiful princess, and her best friend Agatha, who seems much more suited to a life of darkness. When they are taken to the School for Good and the School for Evil, everything goes wrong. Sophie ends up at the school for villains, while Agatha is sent to the school for heroes! Can they discover why this has happened and find their way back to the lives they imagined?

One of my favourite things about this book is the way it challenges the idea that people can be judged by how they look. Sophie and Agatha’s adventures show that being good or evil is not always as simple as it seems. The book also teaches important lessons about friendship, loyalty and accepting yourself.

I enjoyed the magical world, unusual characters and exciting twists that keep readers guessing about what will happen next. It is a great choice for anyone who loves fairy tales but wants a story with a surprising twist.

I would recommend this book to children who enjoy fantasy, adventure and a little bit of mystery. It reminds us that we should never judge someone by their appearance and that sometimes the most unexpected people can surprise us! If you enjoy the first book feel free to check out the rest of the series.

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Parents

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani is an imaginative fantasy novel that explores friendship, identity and the difference between good and evil. The story follows two best friends, Sophie and Agatha, who are taken to a magical school where children are trained to become fairy-tale heroes or villains. However, when they are placed in unexpected schools, they begin to question whether appearances really determine who someone is.

This book can benefit children by encouraging them to think critically about stereotypes, first impressions and the choices people make. Through Sophie and Agatha’s experiences, young readers learn that people are more complicated than they may initially appear and that true goodness comes from actions rather than appearance.

The novel also explores the importance of friendship, loyalty and self-acceptance. Its magical setting, exciting adventures and unexpected twists can encourage children to develop a love of reading and use their imagination.

Some themes, including betrayal, conflict and darker fairy-tale elements, may be better suited to children who are comfortable with fantasy stories involving challenging situations.

Overall, I would recommend The School for Good and Evil to parents looking for an entertaining book that combines adventure with meaningful lessons. It encourages children to question assumptions, reflect on their decisions and understand that being yourself is more important than trying to fit into someone else’s idea of who you should be.