A School for Unusual Girls

Bibliographic Information
Title: A School for Unusual Girls
Author: Kathleen Baldwin
Type of Media:text
Publisher: Tor Teen Books
Publication Date: May 19, 2015
ISBN: 9780765376008
Genre: Historical Romance
Curriculum Ties: History,  Book Discussion- provides a great Reading and Activity Guide at the end of the book which can be utilized by English teachers
Reading Level: Grades 3-6 according to Lexile score
Interest Age: 13-17




Plot Summary
Georgiana finds herself being carted off to Stranje House, by her mother who is determined to see her formed into a marriageable young lady, after accidentally setting her father's stable on fire. She begins to realize the House and the residents within may not be what they had originally seemed when she stumbles upon hidden passages and learns of the unique talents that Miss Stranje is imparting on the girls in order to use them in a world of deception. It becomes Georgiana's task to finally discover the formula to an invisible ink which could save the country. When Lord Wyatt becomes her assistant she is drawn to him in ways she cannot understand and together they discover a working formula, or did they...



Critical Evaluation
Baldwin does a great job of creating a setting that is fantastical in nature allowing you to get lost in the story yet realistic enough to keep you connected and allow for an imagination to view this as an alternative historical fiction. The characters are all delightful and quirky with their own selves firmly established. The plot line takes off quickly and you are left wanting more at the end of every chapter because of the fast-paced, adventurous writing style of Baldwin. At points the language in this book does seem slightly juvenile but I believe this makes the book appeal to a wider crowd including some reluctant readers or those with lower reading levels.



Reader's Annotation
Spies, love, and a country in turmoil. You will fall in love with this exciting historical fiction novel.



Author Biography
Retrieved from wikipedia:

Award-winning author Kathleen Baldwin was born and raised in Arizona, and moved 14 times before high school. The constant moving allowed her to meet many different people from many different backgrounds and areas. She gained a love of reading from her mother, who often read her poems and classic stories before bedtime. Her grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and great-aunts frequently related stories as well, so that a young Baldwin believed that women in general were supposed to tell stories. A voracious reader, Baldwin read at a level beyond her years, and was often excused from English classes to read on her own or to write down her own stories.

After earning a BA in Art and Design, Baldwin worked as a freelance artist for several years, designing models for toys while raising her children. During her early years of writing, Baldwin was able to have some of her nonfiction and poetry published, but continually received rejection notices for her fiction submissions. She quit her freelance work to concentrate on her writing and joined the Romance Writers of America. Finally, after 63 rejection notices, Baldwin found a receptive editor at Kensington Books who purchased her novel, LADY FIASCO, a "Regency Romantic Comedy". The editor requested several more novels, and Baldwin was given a deadline of less than a year to complete two more novels and a novella.

Baldwin is married. She and her husband, Brett, have four children, three boys and a girl. She and her family live in Texas. From 2011– 2012 Kathleen served as President-Elect and President of Dallas Area Romance Authors

Book Talk Ideas

• History and alternate possibilities.

Possible Challenges
 I do not see there being any challenges to this book.

Defense File

• Have the library's selection policy and the Library Bill of Rights ready to hand out
• Access to honest reviews from trusted sources
• Know the awards, if any, the book has earned
• Understand the material so you can explain the use of the book as a good talking point for serious and sensitive issues
• A lot of times people just want their concerns heard, so make sure you listen
• If they are still persistent be able to offer them a reconsideration form

 Reason for Inclusion
This is a fun novel that has some intrigue based on what would happen if one event in history had not occurred. With a romance that is endearing and forbidden that will keep you rooting for the characters until the end. This is a book I would recommend for reluctant readers because the language is easy and the story is compelling making it a great addition to any collection.