Move over, Mary Poppins, and make way for Ms. Rapscott, Headmistress of the Great Rapscott School for Girls of Busy Parents. Elise Primavera, creator of the popular Auntie Claus books, offers a whimsical tale of a most unusual teacher and her school for girls whose parents are much too busy to be, well, parents. In fact, there’s no need for moms or dads to even bother bringing the girls to school, as the admissions materials include a self-addressed box for safely mailing daughters to campus.
And that’s how five lucky girls find themselves hurtling through the air to land on the observation deck of a lighthouse, home of Ms. Rapscott’s unique establishment, where the school motto echoes Amelia Earhart’s words: “Adventure is worthwhile in itself!” They embark on magical excusions, including a visit to the Mount Everbest School for Boys, as Ms. Rapscott imparts essential lessons such as, “Life is like trying to bake your own birthday cake without a recipe.”
Accompanied by Primavera’s delightful artwork, these adventures will entice young readers to take Ms. Rapscott’s advice and get “lost on purpose” in a great story.
Deborah Hopkinson lives near Portland, Oregon. Her most recent book for young readers is The Great Trouble.
This article was originally published in the March 2015 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.
