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Description
During her first term at boarding school, fifteen-year-old Flanders tries to cope with a variety of unusual people and situations and come to terms with her conflicting emotions about her recently separated parents.
Quick Summary
Set at a posh boarding school in the 1970s, the story follows fifteen-year-old Flanders as she navigates a cast of eccentric classmates, a stern but oddly sympathetic teacher, and the everyday drama of dorm life while coping with her parents' recent split. The humor is dry and sometimes absurd think oddball pranks and sarcastic asides making the heavier moments about feeling torn between two homes feel surprisingly light. Readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories with a dash of satire and a lot of heart will find it hard to put down, especially those who liked the mix of teenage angst and school-life satire in S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders." There are a few instances of mild teen language and references to dating, but nothing too graphic, making it a good choice for ninth-graders and up. The book wraps up with a realistic, if not tidy, resolution that leaves you feeling like you just survived a term with a bunch of unforgettable characters.