Reviews

Alice-Miranda at School by Jacqueline Harvey

Only show reviews with written explanations

cl9556's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Just good childhood memories.

pluviophilebookworm's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I think the only completely honest way to describe this book is... unlike anything I've read before. I went in with medium-to-high expectations because of who had recommended it to me, and at first it seemed that I'd be disappointed. I'm usually all for adorable precociousness, but Alice-Miranda hinged on creepily precocious at first. My 10-year-old self would have loved her from the start. As someone that is literally three times Alice-Miranda's age, however, it wasn't as easy for me to relate to her from the get-go. It took about half the book, but once I had warmed up to this improbable child, there was no going back. I think it was the mild suspense in the plot that kept me going most of the time -- and I don't want to spoil anything here, but if you're anything like me, perhaps you might want to go in with a handful of spoilers. That is all I can say in regards to that.
On the funny side -- prepare for comically long names. Apparently hyphenated surnames dating at least two generations back are a thing, and I loved that.
On the this-is-definitely-a-joke-isn't-it side, apparently head lice are banned from the school. I understand the sentiment, but I couldn't help asking myself, 'how do you ban head lice?' Perhaps what is meant is girls with head lice are banned from being around others until they solve the problem, or something? Either way, this rule is never mentioned again, but it just made me think when I saw it.
So anyway, these are my very chaotic thoughts on Alice-Miranda at School and, while it does not live up to most of the books I've been giving 5 stars, it was definitely a positive experience, if a tiny bit awkward. That warrants this book 4/5* from me, perhaps leaning towards 4.5/5.

readingwithmelodie's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

ah the book that made me fall in LOVE with this series! as a kid, Alice-Miranda was a such a role model to me, and now as an adult… well, let’s just say this book is the entire reason why I know Henry the 8th had 6 wives. I ASPIRED to be as smart and kind as she was (I also wanted a super hyphenated last name- extra bubbles to colour in in exams-! speaking of though, one time I counted how many spaces there were. it was not enough to fit HSKM soooo)

I feel like this was so much shorter than I remembered it! I did audio it at 3x speed (shoutout to audible for having this included in the premium range!) but Alethea’s reign of terror was like 3 tantrums long and Miss Grimm had the FASTEST character development. also on a seperate note, older me now wonders since Mr Grump did stop AM from falling off a cliff, does that mean she *technically* didn’t complete the walk unassisted?

I dunno.

and this is why you don’t judge a book meant for 9 year olds with (a debatable) 19 year old brain.

2022 reread so far!
1. Alice Miranda in Scotland (#17)
2. Alice Miranda in Egypt (#20)
3. Alice Miranda at School (#1)

shaelinsans's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

don’t mind me i’m suddenly nostalgic over my favorite childhood books and this series was a huge part of it, even tho reading it now the plots may seem a bit outrageous

annoeing's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

i am going to make sure my kids read this when they are like 7 and whatever fraction years old so they realise how annoyingly egotistical Alice Miranda Kennington Jones Highton Smith sounds so they never turn out like her.
I was really invested in this series when i was like 8 years old though. i even got the whole set from 1-10 for christmas once and then i brought all the books after that like this was my favourite series when i was young, dumb and simple and enjoyed reading before my dad was like no you have to do tutoring and tests now so he took away all my books and sanity.