What follows is a seminar on telling Good from Evil as the line between the two becomes even more muddled, numerous members of the sprawling cast exhibit qualities of both, and Rafal, in particular, suffers an extended identity crisis.

Meanwhile Rafal and Rhian, amid their growing rivalry, are both searching for an ally they can trust, and they kidnap a Reader-young Midas-from the outside world. In events following close on those in Rise of the School for Good and Evil (2022), the arrival of James Hook in Neverland, along with fellow ex-students Aladdin and Princess Kyma, spurs ruthless tyrant Peter Pan to mount his own bid to take over the twin-towered school where fairy-tale characters are trained. In this sequel to a prequel, a third candidate for School Master brings simmering tensions between twins Rhian and Rafal to a boil. Wishful thinkers will buy into her story despite the many times they must suspend disbelief, including the unconvincing change in Sunny after the windfall. All seems lost until a lottery ticket given to River by a stranger wins! Descriptions of island life are captivating, and likable River narrates with spirit and honesty. No sooner has River come to love her relatives, their Norwegian and Tsimshian heritage, and the island, than Sunny shows up to drag her home. To give herself time to assess her newfound family, River assumes Liv’s identity, saying she changed her mind about working there. By unbelievable chance, when she arrives, she’s mistaken for Liv, a high school student who had accepted, then rejected, a job at the Great Bear Lodge run by Sunny’s sister, Jemma. Although Sunny never discusses her family, she’s kept a letter sent from Great Bear Island, so River heads there. Then Principal Martinez, worried about River’s frequent absences, makes a home visit-but unreliable Sunny is a no-show. Her best friend, Emi, dumps her because of their socio-economic differences: Sunny, River’s single mom, is a bar waitress who often works nights, and River can’t afford to pay her way when she’s with Emi’s wealthy family. Near the end of seventh grade, River has a terrible day. River’s bad day leads to a life-changing summer and brighter future.

Books by megan shull