Review of ‘The Castle School (for Troubled Girls)’

Synopsis

When Moira Dreyfuss's parents announce that they're sending her to boarding school, Moira isn't fooled. She knows her parents are punishing her; she's been too much trouble since her best friend Nathan died--and for a while before that. At the Castle School, isolated from the rest of the world, Moira will be expected to pour her heart out to the strange headmaster, Dr. Prince. But she isn't interested in getting over Nathan's death, or befriending her fellow students.

On her first night there, Moira hears distant music. On her second, she discovers the lock on her window is broken. On her third, she and her roommate venture outside...and learn that they're not so isolated after all. There's another, very different, Castle School nearby--this one filled with boys whose parents sent them away, too.

Moira knows something isn't right about the Castle School--about either of them. But uncovering the truth behind the schools' secrets may force Moira to confront why she was sent away in the first place.

Review

What an excellent novel The Castle School by Alyssa B. Sheinmel is a remarkable novel about dealing with grief but also dealing with illness both mental and physical. What is exceptional about this novel is the way that Sheinmel addresses disorders and mental illness. She does it in a very thought-provoking, emotional, and empowering way.

Intensely Written

The Castle School follows Moira, who is dealing with her grief at the loss of her best friend to cancer. As her only real friend to her, the loss has hit her hard and put a strain on her relationship with her parents, her mother especially. After getting a tattoo, her mother sends her off to boarding school.

The Castle School is a place for troubled teens and Moira has no interest in making new friends. However, what the school and Sheinmel explore thorough this novel is that the school is more than that; it is a haven for those suffering mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Sheinmel highlights the struggle some people go through. What is impactful is how she highlights how people suffering is not just suffering in one way but that the physical, mental, and emotional are intermingled. As readers, we forget that and only see one, but through this lens, Sheinmel gives readers an emotional and insightful read. Sheinmel builds the story and explores whom these girls are without casting shame on the characters. Sheinmel does not make the characters less because they have addictions or harmful addictions; instead, she highlights the struggle these characters go through, making them intense and relatable.

As a story, The Castle School moves at an incredible pace. It is easy to get lost in the story as the reader gets to know who these girls are and how they are suffering. Yes, the story follows Moira as she grows and learns to understand her grief and anger, but Sheinmel breaks up the story, without breaking the pace, but introducing these segments about Moira’s classmates. Sheinmel gives enough information to let the reader understand the characters, strengthening character dynamics.

Final Thoughts

The Castle School (for Troubled Girls) is a remarkable novel. There is so much depth to the story and it is truly emotional, highlighting the depth of what these girls are going through. Sheinmel addresses illness in all its form in a way that does not shame but instead tells them they are not alone.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband and son and their two cats, Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx.