Title: The Castle School (For Troubled Girls)
Author: Alyssa B. Sheinmel
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication date: March 2, 2021
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Summary
After learning that she’s being sent to a boarding school in the middle of nowhere, Moira knows that her parents are punishing her. After all, she’s been acting out ever since the death of her best friend, Nathan. Come to think of it, they didn’t seem to like her much before that either. She’s difficult, so it makes sense they sent her away.
At first look, the Castle School is unwelcome. But after the first few nights, Moira learns of a secret boy’s school across the way. A school that’s almost the complete opposite of their school. Moira is convinced that this is an experiment. However, as she tries to find out more, she finds herself face to face with the grief she’s been avoiding for months.
Review: The Castle School for Troubled Girls
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this to review! I’ve reviewed some of Alyssa B. Sheinmel’s books on here (A Danger to Herself and Others and What Kind of Girl) so I was very excited to pick this one up! Sheinmel always discusses mental health in such a nuanced way, and I was sure that this would be no different.
The discussions and the de-stigmatization of mental health is definitely at the forefront of this book. Moira is in a school with girls who are struggling with a variety of mental health issues, and what I liked was that we got to hear from each of them throughout. Giving a little background about each girl rounds out each character, further pulling you into this fictional school Sheinmel has created. It also adds to the mystery lurking underneath the text.
That being said, this didn’t quite have the urgency of Sheinmel’s other books. In those books, you could feel the tension as the mystery unraveled, but I didn’t feel that as much in this book. I was more interested in the girls and their relationship than I was in the mystery. For me, it didn’t take away a whole lot from the book, but I could see how that might make certain readers less interested.
All in all, this is a great look at the mental health in teen girls, especially portraying therapy in a positive light. While you maybe won’t pick this up for the mystery, I definitely recommend picking it up for the characters!
4/5 stars