ALA Booklist

Mischievous children Tobias and Charlotte Eggers, in an act of revenge on their unpleasant nanny, accidentally get caught by their father on a very bad day. In an effort to discipline his unruly children, Ralph drops them off at the decrepit Witherwood Reform School, where, with the help of the evil headmaster and a terrible car accident, he soon forgets about them. The eerie excitement kicks up as the kids try to escape the spooky school, only to be caught again by the very odd science teacher. Forced into becoming students, the Eggers children must find their way through the mysterious halls of the reform school, intent on finding their father again. Along the way, they dodge scary teachers and rely on their wits to evade capture with the help of new friends, such as the eccentric Fiddle, who knows more than he realizes. Skye's old-fashioned, witty writing style and amusing humor is the perfect fit for fans of the Spiderwick Chronicles and A Series of Unfortunate Events series.

Horn Book (Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Tobias and Charlotte Eggers misbehave once again, and their father deserts them outside Witherwood Reform School. After weeks following the school's rules and trying not to lose their minds, the siblings rescue themselves. Each chapter starts with dark advice from an unknown narrator. While the pacing is choppy, fans of Lemony Snicket's humor will love this book. Shadowy black-and-white illustrations add atmosphere.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7 This is a dark, fantastical adventure shrouded in mystery, reminiscent of Lemony Snicket's "Series of Unfortunate Events" (HarperCollins). After tricking their nasty governess into eating tadpoles disguised as gravy, Tobias and Charlotte father has had enough. He drives them outside of town into the dark, rainy night and leaves them outside an old, grim, weathered building, named "Witherwood." His intention is to teach them a lesson; never would he have anticipated an accident would leave him with amnesia, unable to even remember he had children, let alone where he had left them. Boldly, Tobias and Charlotte eventually decide to enter Witherwood. Witherwood's headmaster has created a form of mind control, camouflaged as compounds in food. Tobias and Charlotte must overcome such manipulations as they determine the true aim of Witherwood. The fast-moving plot filled with clues will keep readers wondering and surprised at what comes next. An anonymous narrator adds dark humor while providing background information and hints. Skye's witty descriptions and elevated vocabulary add to the novel's peculiarity yet may be challenging for some readers. Expect kids to demand future installments. Highly recommended as a fresh addition to middle grade fantasy collections. Mary-Brook J. Townsend, The McGillis School, Salt Lake City, UT

Voice of Youth Advocates

Clever and resourceful siblings Tobias and Charlotte Eggers are accustomed to fending for themselves since their mother died in a drowning accident and their glum father shuffles through life in a fog of depression. After an incident involving their unspeakably awful nanny, a bowl of lumpy gravy, and some very lively tadpoles, the brother and sister find themselves dumped outside the gates of the mysterious Witherwood Reform School. Witherwood is a nightmarish place where robotic students are at the mercy of menacing teachers, and vicious monsters patrol the grounds. Worst of all, the headmaster has perfected the art of mind control and both the Eggers children seem helpless to resist his power.Skye's latest novel offers middle school readers an exciting and slightly unsettling story spiced with a little rude humor and plenty of creepy situations. Short chapters, abundant plot twists, and frequent witty asides to the reader add to the novel's appeal. While adult readers will find the idea of abandoning one's children disturbing, younger readers will ignore that issue and revel in the idea of tough kids triumphing over wicked adults. The cliffhanger ending demands the sequel that the author fortunately promises on the final page. This new series will be a popular addition to library collections for middle and junior high school readers.Jamie Hansen.