Alice-Miranda at School

June 13, 2011
Australian author Harvey launches a promising series that stars fearless Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones. At seven-and-one-quarter years old she is ready for adventure and eager to take on her first year at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, an elite boarding school that is part of her familyâs history. Ever vigilant, as soon as Alice-Miranda arrives at the academy, her instincts kick in: âThere was not a thing out of place. But from the moment Alice-Miranda entered the grounds she had a strange feeling that something was missingâand she was usually right about her strange feelings.â But when Alice-Miranda approaches the schoolâs headmistress, Miss Grimm, to discuss the problems she perceives at the school (the head prefect is difficult, the cook badly needs a vacation, and the gardener just wants to be allowed to plant flowers), Miss Grimm not only refuses to hear her, but also seems resigned to making Alice-Mirandaâs first year as difficult as possible. Alice-Mirandaâs precociousness can sometimes be cloying, but her effervescent personality lends itself well to the novelâs hyperbolic atmosphere, and her optimism is contagious. Ages 7â10.

March 1, 2011

The secretive headmistress of a boarding school and a bully intent on mischief galore are no match for the intrepid Alice-Miranda. Despite having doting, extremely wealthy parents and a precocious nature, Alice-Miranda is neither selfish nor spoiled. Instead, she has a beguiling ability to enchant those around her and an enthusiasm for helping people in need. Upon arrival at boarding school, Alice-Miranda discovers a host of mysteries to solve, including a distraught cook, a heartbroken assistant and a headmistress who is never seen by staff or students. With wisdom beyond her years, the spirited 7-year-old wades in to solve everyone's problems. In doing so, she garners the unwelcome attention of queen bee Alethea and the appropriately named headmistress, Miss Grimm. In an effort to oust Alice-Miranda, Miss Grimm sets a herculean series of tasks she must pass in order to remain at the Academy. Readers will cheer for plucky Alice-Miranda as she attempts a comprehensive exam, an arduous solo camping trip and a sailing contest with the nefarious Alethea. This new series, with its sprightly, resilient heroine, who is sweet without being cloying, offers readers a lively blend of humor and intrigue. (Mystery. 7-11)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

April 1, 2011

Gr 2-4-Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones is going away to the Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies. At age seven-and-one-quarter, she's the youngest pupil in the school. Alice-Miranda arrives and begins solving problems immediately, from the students' to the groundskeeper's to the cook's. When the headmistress, Miss Grimm, takes a dislike to the adorable little girl, she must find a way to solve that problem too. As she adjusts to her new surroundings, Alice-Miranda and others notice that a mysterious stranger has been hiding about the school. Who is he, and why has Miss Grimm not left her office in 10 years? Alice-Miranda is just the one to find out. The child emulates the late-great Richie Rich of Harvey Comics fame in everything but the robot butler. The ultimate extreme in cute, rich, kind, and genius, she is a good role model with her ability always to see the best in everyone. Because the reading level may be slightly more difficult than the interest level, this would make an excellent classroom read-a-loud. A fun mystery, with fantastical, over-the-top elements.-Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
At boarding school, Alice-Miranda's normally upbeat attitude is tested when she's forced to deal with unpleasant girls and an unsettling atmosphere. Readers will enjoy Alice-Miranda's adventures as she tries to get to the bottom of a school secret involving a mysterious stranger. This enjoyable and lighthearted read will satisfy mystery buffs.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)