The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy

A parent might reach for this book when their child is captivated by spooky mysteries or needs to explore the idea that some things are too good to be true. It's a great story for validating a child's intuition when something feels 'off' even if it looks perfect on the surface. The story follows Lorelei as she starts at a new charter school, Splendid Academy, where the classes are fun and the cafeteria serves unlimited gourmet desserts. But Lorelei soon notices the teachers are a little too interested in how much the students eat and that her classmates are getting sluggish and plump. She uncovers a terrifying secret: the school is a front for a coven of witches fattening up the children to eat them. This modern spin on Hansel and Gretel is a suspenseful fantasy that explores themes of bravery, friendship, and trusting your gut. It's perfectly suited for middle-grade readers who enjoy a good scare without excessive gore. It empowers children to question authority and think critically when a situation seems too perfect, modeling how courage and cleverness can overcome monstrous challenges.