Book Review: 'Pennybaker School is Headed for Disaster' by Jennifer Brown

✰✰✰ Thomas Fallgrout is an ordinary kid, whose hobby just happens to be magic. So when he gets accepted to Pennybaker Academy for the Uniquely Gifted, everyone is surprised. It seems his knack for magic is an unique gift. Life at the new schools takes some getting used, of course, but Thomas manages to make a few new friends. Just when he starts to fit in, the statue of the school's most beloved math teacher disappears. Naturally everyone points their finger at Thomas and his ability to do magic. Thomas insists he is innocent, but not even his parents believe him. It's up to Thomas to clear his name by relying on his magic skills and believing in himself.

The Bottom Line: This quick read for the middle school set focuses on diversity and finding your own special gift. Along the journey of solving the mystery, the main character must learn self-reliance and forgiveness. Just an average weekend read.

Details: Pennybaker School is Headed for Disaster by Jennifer Brown. Advance Reading Copy published by Bloomsburg in 2017. 320 p. ISBN: 978-1-68119-174-4