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The School for Good and Evil #1

Discussion Leader(s): Volunteer Name

Reading Calendar:- (view spoiler)[
Start date: 01/07/23
End date: 31/07/23
Total no.of pages: 488 pages (hardcover)

Pages may vary according to format so we have included sections to avoid confusion.

Checkpoint A:-
Start Date: 01/07/23
End Date: 05/07/23
No. of pages- 160
Section: Chapter1 to 7

Checkpoint B:-
Start Date:06/07/23
End Date: 10/07/23
No. of pages- 160
Section: Chapter 8 to 16

Checkpoint C:-
Start Date: 11/07/23
End Date: 15/07/23
No. of pages- 165
Section: Chapter 17 to 23

Checkpoint D:-
Start Date: 16/07/23
End Date: 20/07/23
No. of pages- 120
Section: Chapter 24 to 30.

Review posting: 21st-31st July (hide spoiler)]

I just got to chapter eight. In the first chapter Sophie really annoyed me but then she grew on me a little bit. She is more ambitious than the rest of the town I think. Also more conceited. Now I just feel bad for Agatha. She did all this for her friend who is just concerned about other things. Also I loved the first line :)

Is anyone reading or planning to read this book? Let us know about your progress here, and if you are interested in leading the discussion.

I am! I don't know how much I'll be able to read this month but I'll do my best!

Currently reading large book and busy with 4th of July stuff but ill do my best to get to it asap!

Ok so last night I couldn't sleep, so...I read. I'm at ch 26 now and I don't want to spoil anything!
I saw the Netflix's adaptation and although they changed some parts, the fundamental story and characters were preserved. (view spoiler)[I like the bond between Agatha and Sophie, it's not so apparent at times (because they are both strong headed and well, you'll see) but it can surprise you when you least expect it! (hide spoiler)]

Fabitha wrote: "Ok so last night I couldn't sleep, so...I read. I'm at ch 26 now and I don't want to spoil anything!
I saw the Netflix's adaptation and although they changed some parts, the fundamental story and c..."

Did you say Ch 26? Wow! So fast :)

I have doubts about this books, so probably not. Unless someone here tells me it's very good

Well I believe the target is middle school, so it's a fast and nice read. But it is indeed about friendship, albeit a very weird one. I'll go on with the serie for sure!

you are right that it is probably a fast read.

@Lusie I'd say if you are in a slump or are looking for something quick but still with a morale (the critique to beauty standards and the shallowness of being "good" and "on the right side" at all costs is def not subtle here lol) this is a sure bet to be entertained.

@fabitha, you convinced me lol. I'll give it a try.

@Lusie ahahah happy to be of service! xD

Fabitha wrote: "Ok so last night I couldn't sleep, so...I read. I'm at ch 26 now and I don't want to spoil anything!
I saw the Netflix's adaptation and although they changed some parts, the fundamental story and c..."

I want to see the movie ! I just finished the book today. I’m not sure if I will continue with the series. Probably will but not right away as I’ve got a stack of library holds that just came in, including our other book club book!

I agree with you that the bond is not always so apparent . I was questioning its reality a few times. I also agree they are both pretty strong headed ! They have their set goals.

You finished already? wow you are fast Kali. I haven't even started yet.

It's a very fast read!

@Kali I totally recommend the movie! Agatha is visually nothing like the book but she is perfect for me, she flawlessly conveyed the annoyance and the occasional sassiness with grace lol (also I was screaming the entire time because she gives me Legendborn's Bree Matthews vibes and I can't unseen it).
I think Sophie summoned their bond best in the beginning of the story (view spoiler)[when she said that it may be that their friendship started as a Good Deed from her part, but she genuinely grew to like Agatha. (hide spoiler)] They are young, and it's easy to be sidetracked at that age honestly, it's when we risk to "lose" our childhood besties. Maybe they were the most surprised to realize it was genuine lol

@fabitha Aww I love your take on it ! I was thinking that too. That at that age things come between friends easier. I think also when we are thrust into a new place we tend to hold stronger to what is familiar.

The movie is on Netflix but they just started the one household rule :( . Also how do I hide spoilers ?

@lusie Also I finished it so fast because I’ve only worked one day this week thanks to the holiday and I had the audiobook going while driving or doing other things. I liked the audiobook narration. I got the audiobook and regular book from the Libby app for free.

@Kali that is great! I tried audiobooks too but it didn't work for me, but I know many people who love them!

To hide spoilers you just write < spoiler > to start it and < /spoiler > to close it, minus the spaces.

About the book, well it's been some time since I was twelve but I remember that feel! Also Sophie was very determined to reach her goals while Agatha had more of a development as a character imo...she was very sweet actually.

Not sure when I'll pick this up. I've got a busy schedule with buddy reads and am going to the library on friday. Maybe I can start this weekend?

@lusie Sounds good to me !

@ fabitha I agree. Sophie wanted change and was more ambitious to get hers. I think Agatha wanted change also but didn’t realize it.

@Kali I agree too. And I think it was maybe the subtlest hint about beauty standards in the book. It's easier to be confident and ambitious when you are perceived as beautiful. Agatha probably didn't even think it was possible to change her life, she was already resigned to be an outcast. As far as middle school books go, it's a big concept.

@Lusie I think it's cool I'm very curious to hear your thoughts too!

I couldn’t believe how many creams a 12 year old was putting on her face. Ridiculous. I do remember being twelve and being gifted boxes of makeup by everyone though. It’s like it’s expected at a certain age. I would’ve preferred books 🤷🏽‍♀��.

Reminds me of my sister and I at that age honestly. I was the book nerd reading Harry Potter at recess and she was good at makeup with lots of boyfriends. Well in elementary.

Me and my sister have always been bulletproof to beauty care lol now that we are adults we occasionally indulge but we never had the time nor the inclination, we were so focused on sport at that time.

But it was quite some time ago. I don't actually know any 12 yo now, but I remember working in a bookshop and mothers asked me books like After for their pre teen girls. No ma'am, in good coscience I can't recommend this to a literal child. I'm against gatekeeping, but it was too much!

I think this book is perfect for girls that age. It's a serie and the MCs are girls (as opposed to HP and PJ)

This book is definitely more age appropriate than some YA and I also appreciate the strong female leads. That said I was reading clan of the cave bear at about 12-14 maybe. Once you’ve read those massive Harry Potter books at age 9 those little chapter books just aren’t the same.

@Kali yeah I agree! I was one to read big books early too, but it was more a matter of content than size in this case. This is perfect to me!

Can I join?

Caseyreadsharrypotter wrote: "Can I join?"

Of course you can!

Ok but when do I have to get to the next checkpoint I’m a slow reader

Caseyreadsharrypotter wrote: "Ok but when do I have to get to the next checkpoint I’m a slow reader"

Just read it at your own pace and post your thoughts here.
That's what I am going to do as well, but I am fast reader

I've started reading

Chapter 1-4
(view spoiler)[Sophie is so excited about being kidnapped and going to the school for Good. She sounds selfish, but does that make her bad enough to end up at the evil school? I don't think so, but apparently that is where she is meant to go. Poor Sophie, she is going to have a hard time. Though she is ambitious, so maybe she will adjust once she accepted being in the school for Evil.

Agatha tried to rescue Sophie. Do you think that is why she ended up at the school for Good? She too seems not to fit in with the rest. Sounds like Agatha just wants both Sophie and her to survive and get out together.
(hide spoiler)]


Unlike Kali, I don't think Sophie is annoying. I'm just curious how things will unfold for her.

Kali, that's great you got the audiobook for free. They don't have the libby app here. I think only libraries in the USA are part of that, so i don't have access to it. Would have loved it, since audiobooks are expensive. So I keep looking for ways to get free audiobooks, usuailly free in return for a review (NetGalley, Facebook)

I changed my mind, Kali was right that Sophie is annoying.

Chapter 5-13
(view spoiler)[I am starting to think Sophie is never going to believe she is place in the right school, namely Evil. I'm starting to like her more, now that she is standing up more for her friend Agatha.

The goblin fight was odd and funny.

I wonder why the teachers keep saying none of the students seen the schoolmaster. Agatha and Sophie did see him. Why must it stay a secret? Probably because they are getting their own fairytale. It's probably the thing that can tip the balance and destroy the world. That sounds dramatic though lol I think it's what the teachers believe.

What would be the answer to the riddle? I think (view spoiler)[Happy ending or Happily ever after. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14-18
(view spoiler)[Sophia annoys me more now. She is so selfish.
Agatha is a good friend and helps her, even though Sophie doesn't do anything in return.
They are good at deceiving Tedros

I'm still wondering if they are right about the answer to the riddle. Maybe. (hide spoiler)]

Kali wrote: "I just got to chapter eight. In the first chapter Sophie really annoyed me but then she grew on me a little bit. She is more ambitious than the rest of the town I think. Also more conceited. Now I ..."

I agree, I feel bad for Agatha as well

Fabitha wrote: "@Kali I agree too. And I think it was maybe the subtlest hint about beauty standards in the book. It's easier to be confident and ambitious when you are perceived as beautiful. Agatha probably didn..."

I think you are right Fabitha

Are you liking it @Lusie? I'd feel bad otherwise since I recommended it lol

(view spoiler)[ Also, Agatha is VERY strong with magic or is it just me? She's doing a lot compared to Sophie or other girls, transmutating and stuff. Supposedly it's linked to the strenght of her feelings? She clearly loves Sophie more than Sophie loves her, at this point at least.

Sophie is fickle, girl remember "sisters before misters"! Or my favorite "fries before guys" lol I'm joking but seriously she doesn't even know Tedros, and besides she is tricking him, since Agatha is feeding her all the answers.

I hope we'll get to know Tedros more, and that he'll grow a bit too, because as of now he's just a nice face, and quite hollow inside. (hide spoiler)]

Lusie wrote: "I changed my mind, Kali was right that Sophie is annoying.

Chapter 5-13
I am starting to think Sophie is never going to believe she is place in the right school, namely Evil. I'm starting to like ..."

Haha that made me actually laugh out loud. Sophie is definitely a slytherin.

I think maybe Agatha is stronger bc her mom is also a witch ? Also her only friend is Sophie so she’s not really out socializing.

(view spoiler)[ She had time to study for both of them and not fail. Otherwise she also would have been in the tournament because she was originally in like second place. I think we all believe Agatha loves Sophie more but in some moments she almost seems too desperate ? I wanted her to stick up for herself more but in the end it was worth it. Also Sophie is pretty smart she just doesn’t apply herself in school. It’s like she created all those lectures , taught herself how to make all those creams and outfits and then is even a bit of a criminal mastermind honestly. Also I think they added some depth to tedros with his backstory. (hide spoiler)]

@Kali LOL yes Sophie is all that! Which is great. Sophie was also scared to death to apply in those Evil classes, so it figures.

Also Agatha is good at everything so what was the point of the school being for good or evil? It's really only about looks at this point, which tells absolutely NOTHING of the inner workings of a person.
It's like they believe they have to act good or evil based on their looks, regardless of their feelings. The system is really bonkers.

Yes ! I remember reading that and being like what are we teaching little girls. Especially about the ball and the double standard on grading.

In real life nothing is that black and white. I think that’s kinda the point of the story. The school is so cut between sides. Like everything is taken to extremes like even the food. The people however could go either way if given a chance.

I think the school is kept separated like that just for the balance bc if they all got to choose then maybe there would be more good than bad or vice versa. That would mean less fairy tales.

Chapter 19-24
(view spoiler)[Sophie keeps thinking her nemesis is the prince, but she loves him. So it must be Agatha.

Sophie's behavior is getting worse.
(hide spoiler)]

@Fabitha, yes I am enjoying it. It's different than I thought it would be, in a good way.

(view spoiler)[I think Agatha is better at magic because she is good and always acts good. Her wish with the wishfish was not for herself and remember the gargoyle. The other princesses are more superficial and are thinking about boys, while Agatha is trying to help her friend. That's probably why her magic is stronger.

I agree with you, Sophie doesn't know Tedros. She seems more in love with the idea of him. I agree that we hardly know Tedros (hide spoiler)]

Kali wrote: "Haha that made me actually laugh out loud. Sophie is definitely a slytherin."

lol you are right, she would be

Fabitha wrote: "@Kali LOL yes Sophie is all that! Which is great. Sophie was also scared to death to apply in those Evil classes, so it figures.

Also Agatha is good at everything so what was the point of the sch..."

Yes horrible system. It's not all about looks, though they seem to think so

@Lusie happy to hear it!

(view spoiler)[ I think, since Agatha is skilled and has good grades in both schools (with Sophie as a proxy) that maybe the point is her conviction: she is strong because her will to succeed is. She is also inherently Good so that's where she's going, but I suspect she would be as strong for Evil, were she really into it. I don't know, just a theory.

Also, the scenes with the wishfish and the gargoyle actually reinforce the fact that the system is just bad. You fail at school and have to spend the eternity ad a gargoyle or a school of fish? It's a bit extreme if you ask me. I really hope they tear the world down. Agatha will sure be up to it lol (hide spoiler)]

I believe your theory.

(view spoiler)[ yes ! There were hundreds of animals that used to be children. So sad. Imagine all the mice from Cinderella were children and the birds from Snow White. Crazy. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25 - end
(view spoiler)[Turns out Agatha was stronger, because of being Sophie's nemesis.

The ending was kind of complicated, but I loved that Sophie seemed to realize her friendship was worth it and rescue her friend. Friendship wins from good and evil ;) Do you think they are both the new headmasters? Or are they finally send home? What do you think that happened? Probably going home because they really wanted that. Who is going to be the new headmaster?

Only Tedros didn't get a happy ending

The moral of the story is nothing is either evil or good. And beauty doesn't mean good and ugly does not mean evil. And another moral is probably that you should forgive others and value friendship (hide spoiler)]

@Fabitha

(view spoiler)[I like your theory about why Agatha is so strong.
Yes poor kids who fail receive such a horrible punishment.

Haha, yes Agatha will be up to it (hide spoiler)]

Kali wrote: "I believe your theory.

[spoilers removed]"

You are right Kali. (view spoiler)[That is such a sad thought (hide spoiler)]