What This Book Is About
Twelve-year-old Gilly is a cobbler's daughter who steals to feed her family. Caught at it, she is sentenced to Fairy Tale Reform School. The school is for delinquent children, and the staff are the reformed villains: Cinderella's wicked stepmother founded it, and the Sea Witch is on the teaching staff.
Gilly has no interest in being reformed and wants to get back to her family. What keeps her there is a suspicion: she becomes convinced that the teachers are plotting something, and that no one will believe her. Flunked is the first book in the Fairy Tale Reform School series.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
Flunked challenges students to think critically about labels and identity—who gets called a "villain" and who gets called a "hero," and whether people can change. These are exactly the kinds of questions UWC's curriculum encourages: examining assumptions, understanding different perspectives, and recognizing that people's stories are more complex than they appear. Gilly's situation also opens conversations about poverty, family responsibility, and systemic fairness.
For Grade 5 readers, the fairy-tale setting provides a familiar, inviting entry point while the themes go deeper than a typical fantasy. The series format is another strength: readers who finish Flunked can carry straight on into the rest of the series, building a sustained reading habit that is one of the strongest predictors of English proficiency growth. In Singapore's multicultural context, the book's message that everyone deserves a second chance resonates powerfully.
Reading Level Guide
Too challenging at A1. The vocabulary and plot complexity will be frustrating. Try Magic Tree House or Diary of a Wimpy Kid first.
Sweet spot. The fairy-tale vocabulary is familiar, dialogue is snappy, and the fast-paced plot keeps you turning pages.
A quick, fun read at B2. Great for building reading fluency, then try The Land of Stories for more complex fantasy.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.