Sunday, January 12, 2014

The Bad Apple (Merits of Mischief #1) by T.R.Burns –PUBLIC ONLY

Burns, T.R.  The Bad Apple (Merits of Mischief #1) 352 pgs. Aladdin, 2012. $6.99  Content: Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG.
Seamus is a good kid, but one day an accident sends his life into a tailspin. Since he killed a teacher, he must go to reform school, Kilter Academy. He quickly finds out, after a gun, is held to his head as a joke, that he is in a very different school than he expected. A school to teach troublemaking skills. He must prank and trick to receive demerits. There is a ton of mysteries to solve including why they are being taught these skills, who shy Elinor really is, and if he is as bad as every one thinks he is.
This is a very readable story with a like-able main character. That being said, I cannot recommend a book for a school library where students prank the teachers for points. The very thought of the already unruly 6th graders getting the idea from this book to hassle their teacher with, makes me want to get this book far away from my library. Not to mention the teacher killing thing, just totally inappropriate for the tension level about security in schools today. Students may enjoy this book, appealing to their mischievous side, but they won’t enjoy it in my library.
EL, MS –PUBLIC ONLY Reviewer: Stephanie Elementary School Librarian & Author.

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