
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.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe main characters are consistently in danger from powerful, malevolent adults.
The core sensitive topic is the direct, mortal threat to children, specifically the peril of being captured and eaten by monstrous adults. The approach is fantastical and rooted in its fairy tale origins, which distances it from realistic violence. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, with the children successfully outsmarting their captors. Lorelei’s grief and worry over her deployed father is a recurring, gentle subplot handled with secular realism.
This is for the 9-12 year old who loves atmospheric, creepy stories that aren't straight horror. An ideal reader is one who enjoyed Neil Gaiman's "Coraline" or Adam Gidwitz's "A Tale Dark & Grimm." It's perfect for a child who is developing their critical thinking skills and enjoys seeing smart, non-superpowered kids solve a terrifying problem with their own intelligence.
The premise is intense, so parents should be aware of the direct Hansel and Gretel plot. The scenes in the climax where the witches prepare to cook and eat a child (Chapters 20-22) are the most frightening and may require previewing for a more sensitive reader. The book can otherwise be read cold. A parent hears their child say, "That seems too good to be true," or sees them enjoying spooky fairy tales and mysteries. This book is a great next step for a child who is ready for a story with higher stakes and a genuinely scary (but not graphic) premise.
A younger reader (9-10) will be swept up in the adventure, the delicious food descriptions, and the classic good vs. evil battle. An older reader (11-12) will also appreciate the clever plotting and may engage more deeply with the themes of temptation, consumerism, and questioning authority.
While many books feature mysterious schools, this one's unique hook is its direct and skillful modernization of a primal fairy tale fear. The combination of mouthwatering, detailed food writing with the growing horror of its purpose creates a unique and compelling tension. It feels both classic and contemporary.
Lorelei is a smart, observant girl starting at a new school, Splendid Academy, after her military father is deployed. The school seems perfect: no homework, fun classes, and a cafeteria that serves incredible desserts all day long. But Lorelei and her new friend Andrew quickly realize something is wrong. The other students are becoming lethargic and overweight, and the teachers seem suspiciously witch-like. The book is a direct retelling of the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale, where the school is a trap run by a coven of witches who are fattening the children up to be eaten. Lorelei and Andrew must use their wits to expose the witches and save their classmates before it's too late.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.