Book Review: KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY

TITLE: KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY
AUTHOR: Violet Haberdasher
IMPRINT: Aladdin
PUBLICATION DATE: 09 March 2010
PREVIOUS TITLES IN SERIES: None

In Violet Haberdasher's Knightley Academy, the first commoner accepted at a prestigous boarding school uncovers a conspiracy that could lead to war.

KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY description and cover art courtesy of Goodreads.

I purchased KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY.

THE TWEET
KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY chronicles the adventures of a young orphan boy who's granted the opportunity to go to a prestigious school for knights.

WHAT WORKED
Knightley Academy is an entertaining read that draws parallels to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, absent the magic. Henry Grim is a poor orphan boy who gets accepted into an exclusive boarding school that trains modern knights to become important members of society. He quickly becomes friends with two other boys, Adam, a Jew, and Rohan, an Indian, who are treated as outcasts for their differences, just like he is treated differently because of his social standing. The story chronicles their adventures during their first year of study, including their introduction to the people and customs of a warlike country called the Nordlands, which is even more intolerant of different races and social classes.

I liked how Haberdasher was able to introduce important issues such as racism and classism into a middle grade (and up) book, without making it too difficult or heavy for a young reader to understand. She has a great mix of humor, danger and obstacles to overcome that grabs readers and pulls them into the story.

OVERALL
Despite it's initial similarities with Harry Potter, Violet Haberdasher has penned a unique story that leaves readers waiting for the next book in the series.

MY RATING IS

Click here to purchase KNIGHTLEY ACADEMY from The Book Depository.