Published: 2024
Genre: Action, Adventure, Humor, Friendship, Mystery, Illustrated Novel
Audience: Middle Grade
Summary: Olive Cobin Zang has . . . issues. And they mostly aren’t her fault. (No, really!) Though she often slips under the radar, problems have a knack for finding her. So, imagine her doubts when she’s suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever: a former castle turned prison that’s now a “reforming arts school”! But nothing could’ve prepared Olive for RASCH (not “rash”). There, she’s lumped with a team of other kids who never quite fit in, and discovers that the academy isn’t what it seems—and neither is she. In fact, RASCH is a cover for an elite group of misfits who fight crime . . . and Olive has arrived just in time.
Turns out that RASCH is in danger of closing, unless Olive’s class can stop the heist of the century. And as Olive falls in love with this wacky school, she realizes it’s up to her new team to save the only home that’s ever welcomed them.
Review: I will be recommending this one to all of my students who are into the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs–this has very similar vibes, but it is much more inclusive in terms of gender and racial diversity. I enjoyed the boarding school setting complete with a cast of quirky characters. There is a nice balance of totally silly, kid-friendly humor (e.g. as part of their spy training, the kids are advised if they are ever noticed to be following a target, they should immediately stick their finger up their nose and their opponent will be so instantly grossed out they will be safe from further suspicion) along with a “found family” theme as the so-called misfits get to know each other and form a bond.
Illustrations throughout from Dan Santat add interest and help break up the text for emerging readers. Since this is the first in a new series, I look forward to seeing what comes next for the misfits!
