The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place
on Goodreads (8,833)
What’s inside...
There's a murderer on the loose—but that doesn't stop the girls of St. Etheldreda's from attempting to hide the death of their headmistress in this rollicking farce. The students of St. Etheldreda's School for Girls face a bothersome dilemma. Their irascible headmistress, Mrs. Plackett, and her surly brother, Mr. Godding, have been most inconveniently poisoned at Sunday dinner. Now the school will almost certainly be closed and the girls sent home—unless these seven very proper young ladies can hide the murders and convince their neighbors that nothing is wrong. The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place is a smart, hilarious Victorian romp, full of outrageous plot twists, mistaken identities, and mysterious happenings.
Age
10-14
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Smooth Kitty
Dour Elinor
Dear Roberta
Pocked Louise
Dull Martha
Disgraceful Mary Jane
Stout Alice
Stout Alice Brooks
Dour Elinor Siever
Disgraceful Mary Jane Marshall
Pocked Louise Dudley
Aldous Godding
Henry Butts
Dr. Snelling
Amanda Barnes
Leland Murphy
Dear Roberta Pratley
Dull Martha Boyle
Constance Plackett
Letitia Fringle
Smooth Kitty Heaton
Discussion points
How did the girls in Prickwillow Place handle their problems differently from each other, and what does that tell you about working with others?
What role do secrets play in the story? How do secrets affect relationships between characters?
If you were a character in the book, how would you have reacted to the main event?
What lessons can we learn from the courage and resourcefulness shown by the characters?
How does the author use humor to address serious themes in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your favorite part of the book to make it more relatable. Ask your child to describe a scene they found funny or surprising. This will help them open up about their own perceptions. Encourage them to think about what different characters might be feeling or thinking during key events, enhancing empathy and critical thinking. Lastly, relate the challenges faced by the characters to real-life situations your child might encounter, guiding them to apply the morals and lessons from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The young women in 'The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place' work together to solve the mystery of their headmistress's sudden death, demonstrating strong teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working collaboratively to achieve common goals, which is crucial in academic settings and peer activities.
Example Lesson: Independence and self-reliance
Explanation: The characters take on adult responsibilities and navigate challenges without adult supervision, showcasing their self-reliance and resilience.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to take initiative and be confident in their abilities to handle situations independently.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and deduction
Explanation: The sisterhood uses clues and deductive reasoning to uncover the truth behind the mysterious events, highlighting the value of critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Enhances children’s problem-solving abilities, teaching them to analyze situations and make informed decisions in daily life.