Best of
Boarding-School

2010

Shadow Walker


L.A. Banks - 2010
    Although these young people have super powers, they still struggle with the same dramas and insecurities like any other high school student – and just because their parents may be superhuman doesn’t mean their parents are perfect. Far from it. That only makes life more confusing, as peer pressure, budding romances, decisions about whether or not to snitch, or whether or not to use one’s supernatural gifts for personal gain must be sorted out.In this coming of age story, Sarah Rivera and her twin brother, Alejandro, must figure out when to use their wings or fangs, how to get along with their compound siblings, how to fit in with others in a huge new school, and perhaps most importantly, how to pick their battles to always fight for what is right.

Alice-Miranda at School


Jacqueline Harvey - 2010
    When she arrives at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, the adventure begins . . . only not quite as Alice-Miranda expects. The minute she sets foot on the school's manicured grounds, she senses that something is wrong: Miss Grimm, the headmistress, is nowhere to be seen, the gardens have no flowers, and a mysterious stranger seems to be hiding out on the premises. But that's not all. Some girls are mean and spoiled, like Alethea Goldsworthy. Can Alice-Miranda defeat Alethea in one of three difficult tests she must pass to remain at school? Will she discover Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale's big secret--and make things right? Well, if anyone can, it's spunky Alice-Miranda!

Beswitched


Kate Saunders - 2010
    On the journey Flora has a strange dream. She wakes up without her laptop or her phone, wearing a hideous uniform with ridiculous bloomers underneath. Slowly, she realizes she has gone back in time! But why?

Dead Beautiful


Yvonne Woon - 2010
    She spent her summers at the beach, had the perfect best friend, and had just started dating the cutest guy at school. No one she'd ever known had died. But all that changes when she finds her parents dead in the Redwood Forest, in what appears to be a strange double murder.After the funeral Renée’s wealthy grandfather sends her to Gottfried Academy, a remote and mysterious boarding school in Maine, where she finds herself studying subjects like Philosophy, Latin, and the “Crude Sciences.”It’s there that she meets Dante Berlin, a handsome and elusive boy to whom she feels inexplicably drawn. As they grow closer, unexplainable things begin to happen, but Renée can’t stop herself from falling in love. It’s only when she discovers a dark tragedy in Gottfried’s past that she begins to wonder if the Academy is everything it seems.Little does she know, Dante is the one hiding a dangerous secret, one that has him fearing for her life.Dead Beautiful is both a compelling romance and thought-provoking read, bringing shocking new meaning to life, death, love, and the nature of the soul.

Rain


Kieryn Nicolas - 2010
    ASSIGNMENT DETAILSLOCATION:Rochester, New York to Brisbane, AustraliaISSUED TO:Mel: tough 15-year-old female spyASSETS AND PERSONNEL:Thomas Syme [AKA: Shadow] principal of Watson Institute and Mel's guardianRay: meteorology prodigy and Mel's best friendCaidy: jealous student who may know more than she's letting onBonnie Robar: Ray's mom, also a meteorologist, whose whereabouts are unknown and who may have left behind a project with dangerous potential.MISSION:Follow the trail of stolen birth certificates (including Ray's) which uncovers a plot that involves more than anyone had anticipated.

Horse Mad Forever


Kathy Helidoniotis - 2010
    When Claire Carlson, her impossible room-mate, reveals an amazing artistic talent, the two girls connect for the first time. Meanwhile, Ash is introduced to endurance riding and falls head over tail in love with the sport, competing for Linley with her beloved mare Honey. Emily is finally allowed to take formal riding lessons at Linley and she, Ash and Ricki take on India and her posse at the end-of-term funkhana. Back in Shady Creek, Becky has lost the fight to save the Riding Club, and she and Ash are heartbroken as they stand by and watch as Gary's office is bulldozed. But the club is miraculously saved by Mrs Mac, who offers them a new home at Shady Trails. Shady Creek Riding Club will live forever. Ash comes to realise that changes, while sometimes unexpected and unwelcome, can often help us to grow. Ages 8-12

The Ghost in the Crystal


Matt Posner - 2010
    I am a mixed-race teen from Queens, New York, and when I answer an advertisement in a magazine, the South Wind shows up at my door to introduce me to a world of adventure, power, and tragedy that feels both strange and right: ghosts, elementals, time travel, magic duels, clashes of culture, teen romance, sacrifice, and ultimate loss. The evil spirit of a bitter and scheming heretic from ancient Alexandria attacks me and forces me to risk everything in order to save his soul. Kids and adults won't stop reading -- The Ghost in the Crystal. I am Simon Magus, and I approve this message.

The Rat Brain Fiasco


Julie Berry - 2010
    When Cody Mack is called to the principalÕs office yet again, he finds something far worse than detention awaiting him: Splurch Academy, a frightfully sinister boarding school for disobedient children run by a group of monstrous teachers.

A Difficult Term for the Chalet School


Lisa Townsend - 2010
    This is the term when Annis Lovell arrives at the School, and when things go wrong with the drains. It is the last term at Plas Howell.