Merits of Mischief: The Bad Apple

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Author(s)

T.R. Burns

Publisher

Aladdin

Genre(s)

Middle Grades

Age Range

Release Date

April 24, 2012

ISBN

9781442440296

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For all of his 12 years, Seamus Hinkle has stayed out of trouble, but on one fateful afternoon in the Cloudview Middle School cafeteria, Seamus accidentally does the unthinkable—a substitute teacher is dead, and Seamus is to blame. Unable to return to Cloudview, Seamus’ parents take him to the most infamous of reform schools: Kilter Academy. But when Seamus’ parents drive off, headmistress Annika Kilter shows her true colors: she’s not interested in reforming delinquents, but quite the opposite—the mission of Kilter Academy is to foster troublemaking, and she's decided Seamus is her star pupil! Together with his new mischief-making friends, Seamus lives every young boy’s dream of getting points for getting in trouble! But soon Seamus discovers that Kilter Academy may have more plans in store for its students than just turning out troublemakers…

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A interesting and fun middle grade read

September 30, 2012

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4.0

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When Seamus becomes accidentally responsible for his substitute teacher's death his parents aren't sure what to do with him. Then they hear about Kilter Academy, a reform school. They ship him off right away. At first Seamus is miserable, he didn't mean to kill that teacher, but soon he realizes Kilter Academy isn't quite what his parents signed him up for. It's a school for miscreants all right, but it's more of a training school than a reform school. Trouble-making is rewarded at Kilter and Seamus isn't sure what to do. He can't face his parents, but he's not really much of a trouble-maker. When he teams up with some other kids though, he starts to fall into something a little more comfortable. If Seamus has to make mischief, he might as well do his best.

I love the concept of a school filled with mischief makers, so this story was fantastic. T.R. Burns does a great job a constructing a school where kids are encouraged to make trouble. I loved how vivid the school became as Seamus and his friends walked around and got up to no good. Lemon, Seamus' roommate was an interesting kid too. Seamus was tough enough to handle Lemon's fire starting habit and that's something that made them a great pair.

There were lots of interesting character's in this novel, especially some of the teachers. Mr. History was particularly peculiar. Each of the teachers had to be quirky though, to work at that school. No rules and mischief encouraged doesn't make for an easy working environment. They did get to harass the students too, so that is a plus.

This was a really fun novel that girls and boys can bother enjoy. I really liked the fun parts and the serious parts. There was a really nice balance. Make sure, if you're a fan of middle grave novel, that you check this one out!

First Line:
"At exactly 11:17 every Fish Stick Tuesday, I raise my hand in algebra class and make a very important announcement."

Favorite Line:
"'Wow,' she says. ' When you're sorry, you're really sorry.'"