I love that we are immediately introduced to these characters and can start getting a feel for each of their personalities from the very first page. In the Author’s Note, Julie Berry said she wanted “to write a story about a gang of clever, loyal, scandalous maiden friends,” and she did just that! In the front of the book, there are illustrated portraits of each of these girls. But the girls in this story are quite the opposite of these normal societal expectations. Most young ladies during this era were raised to be seen and not heard. Seven girls have been sent to live there by their families for various, unkind reasons. The story takes place in 1890 at Saint Etheldreda’s School for Young Ladies. After all, two murders take place within the first few pages of the story. It’s Victorian setting, it’s witty banter and it’s casual attitude towards murder lend it to being more entertaining for older readers than those in the middle grades. In fact, I would venture to say older teens and adults would enjoy this book much more than 8-12 year old’s.
“The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place” is just such a book. (But that’s a discussion for another day…) Regardless, I think adults sometimes miss out on exceptional books because they have a mindset against books marketed and classified as middle grade novels. The Harry Potter books are officially classified as a children’s series, but I personally think it evolves into more of a young adult series by the end. Most adults make an exception for this with the Harry Potter books. I guess they think they are just for kids and wouldn’t interest them. I’m always surprised by how many adults don’t even consider reading middle grade novels. A middle grade novel is classified as a book geared towards readers between the ages of 8-12. Let’s talk about middle grade novels for a minute. “The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place” has been described as a middle grade Victorian murder mystery. Well, the cover of “The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place,” by Julie Berry does not disappoint! The illustrations of the seven girls in the sisterhood, the cup of poisoned tea and the dead body laid out on the ground…perfect! They all made me laugh but I have a soft spot for Dour Elinor Siever, the necromanic of the group!ĭo you judge a book by it’s cover? I do. I’d love to know which of these seven girls you loved the most.
Do these undaunted young women have the wits and the courage to pull off the deed? Read this fun book to find out! And after reading the book and my full review below, leave a comment. Etheldreda’s School for Young Ladies and her odious brother drop dead from poison during dinner one night, it’s up to the seven plucky students to both cover up the murder and to solve it! If they fail, they will most certainly be separated from each other and sent back to their unpleasant homes. When the insufferable headmistress of St.
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