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Grover Cleveland Academy
Into the Flames
Rahab Carmichael might seem like a perfectly normal teenage girl who's just been transferred to a boarding school, a little lost and very alone. But Rahab is far from normal. Hidden beneath her quiet facade are many secrets. But hiding her strange fears and odd ability only makes it harder for her to try to fit in-something she's never been good at. When Rahab finally does start to make friends, their behavior seems a little odd. Is there a deeper connection between her and these outcast students? She won't be able to find out without the risk of revealing her own secrets. And to make matters worse, she's been getting a lot of unwanted male attention--boys are either flirting with her or teasing her, and she doesn't like either. The worst of the bullying comes from jock John Madison, who can't seem to leave Rahab and her friends alone. As tension rises and John's bullying increases, Rahab wrestles with whether or not to stand up to him. In order to protect her friends, she must face her greatest fear. Into the Flames is the first of the Grover Cleveland Academy books. Approximately 75,000 words.
- GenresYoung Adult
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Sanders
29 books21 followersJessie's life has been surrounded by books since the beginning. She realized she wanted to be an author at age six, finished her first novel at age fifteen, and became a professional editor at age twenty-three. Now she works as a freelance editor and full-time mom in addition to writing her own stories.
A product of the Harry Potter generation, Jessie's specialty is young adult urban fantasy. Her series Grover Cleveland Academy includes Into the Flames, Diving In, and To See Clearly.
Sanders has also written a series of low fantasy short stories called Tales from Pocatello. The first four tales are currently available for all e-readers.
A product of the Harry Potter generation, Jessie's specialty is young adult urban fantasy. Her series Grover Cleveland Academy includes Into the Flames, Diving In, and To See Clearly.
Sanders has also written a series of low fantasy short stories called Tales from Pocatello. The first four tales are currently available for all e-readers.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 23, 2012
Into the Flames is an excellent young-adult urban fantasy. It's a coming-of-age story with elements of sci-fi/fantasy and adventure/thriller, as the protagonist tries to hide the secret of her unique abilities amid all the twisted drama and intrigue that is high school.
The story's engaging, but by far the story's best feature is the cast of characters. The relationships are engaging, and the characters themselves incredibly likable. Over and over again I got caught up in their lives and lost track of hours at a time.
Sanders shows a real skill for character stories in a rich fantasy setting that should support a riveting series. I can't wait to read more.
The story's engaging, but by far the story's best feature is the cast of characters. The relationships are engaging, and the characters themselves incredibly likable. Over and over again I got caught up in their lives and lost track of hours at a time.
Sanders shows a real skill for character stories in a rich fantasy setting that should support a riveting series. I can't wait to read more.
May 14, 2022
This is a very good YA novel. I could not help thinking about the characters even when I wasn’t reading. I am so glad there is a sequel.
June 4, 2016
Rahab has lived a somewhat average life. One would assume her parents are religious to a degree; her brothers’ names are Luke and Mark, and if Rahab had been born a boy, she would have been named Matthew. Instead she shares the name of a harlot from the Bible, which serves as fodder for the bullies at her new boarding school. I don’t think Rahab’s age is ever mentioned (if it did I missed it), but I put her around fifteen or sixteen. She has plenty of secrets and fears, including the fear of fire, which stems from a childhood incident when one of her brothers was badly burned.
At the Grover Cleveland Academy, Rahab must room with a stereotypical popular girl (part of the clique known as the “Cheeries”), but manages to make friends with the outcasts of the school: Scout (who’s real name is Jean, but she’s read To Kill A Mockingbird and liked the main character’s name), who does most of the talking; and Hawkins, who’s contribution to a conversation usually involves a single monosyllable word. While she enjoys their company, she does not enjoy John Madison [on a side note: does anyone like it when you share some part of a name with a character in a book? It’s so weird, especially when they’re the antagonist], the school’s version of a star quarterback. (The school’s athletic department consists of Ping Pong.) For some reason, John takes extreme pleasure in picking on Scout, Hawkins, and now Rahab. Between John Madison and Bracken, the school’s “bad boy” who alternates between flirting and harassing her, Rahab has her fair share of unwanted attention. With new friends and new enemies, she must face her fears and come clean about why she can never fit in.
A good story. Am more than willing to bet it’s part of a series; definitely will read any sequels. I give… 3.5 stars, but I’ll round up.
Special thanks to my friend, the model on the cover, who graciously lent me her copy of the book before she even read it.
At the Grover Cleveland Academy, Rahab must room with a stereotypical popular girl (part of the clique known as the “Cheeries”), but manages to make friends with the outcasts of the school: Scout (who’s real name is Jean, but she’s read To Kill A Mockingbird and liked the main character’s name), who does most of the talking; and Hawkins, who’s contribution to a conversation usually involves a single monosyllable word. While she enjoys their company, she does not enjoy John Madison [on a side note: does anyone like it when you share some part of a name with a character in a book? It’s so weird, especially when they’re the antagonist], the school’s version of a star quarterback. (The school’s athletic department consists of Ping Pong.) For some reason, John takes extreme pleasure in picking on Scout, Hawkins, and now Rahab. Between John Madison and Bracken, the school’s “bad boy” who alternates between flirting and harassing her, Rahab has her fair share of unwanted attention. With new friends and new enemies, she must face her fears and come clean about why she can never fit in.
A good story. Am more than willing to bet it’s part of a series; definitely will read any sequels. I give… 3.5 stars, but I’ll round up.
Special thanks to my friend, the model on the cover, who graciously lent me her copy of the book before she even read it.
March 21, 2012
Rahab Carmichael has never fit in. Part of it is due to her quiet nature but the bigger issue is her trying to hide her secret ability. When she gets transferred to a new boarding school, she decides it is her chance to start fresh and change who she is—or try to, anyway.
Rahab does finally start to make friends, but their behavior seems a little odd. Is there a deeper connection between her and these strange kids? She wants to find out but isn’t sure if she wants to risk her own secret being discovered. And topping off that concern is all the unwanted male attention she’s been getting lately—boys are either flirting with or making fun of her, neither of which she wants.
Rahab has an intense (and almost obsessive) fear of fire. Just being around someone who is using a lighter nearly paralyzes her. But when her friends are in trouble, she has to make a decision – one that involves facing her worst fears.
This book may at first seem like a straightforward story about a new girl trying to fit in, but hold on for the ride, because things really get rolling when Rahab finds out just how many other peculiar students there are at her school.
Rahab does finally start to make friends, but their behavior seems a little odd. Is there a deeper connection between her and these strange kids? She wants to find out but isn’t sure if she wants to risk her own secret being discovered. And topping off that concern is all the unwanted male attention she’s been getting lately—boys are either flirting with or making fun of her, neither of which she wants.
Rahab has an intense (and almost obsessive) fear of fire. Just being around someone who is using a lighter nearly paralyzes her. But when her friends are in trouble, she has to make a decision – one that involves facing her worst fears.
This book may at first seem like a straightforward story about a new girl trying to fit in, but hold on for the ride, because things really get rolling when Rahab finds out just how many other peculiar students there are at her school.
March 22, 2012
Rahab is a transfer student at Grover Cleveland Academy, a boarding school in Boston. Quiet and shy, she takes a while to make friends, fearing a repeat of the painful events that sent her running from her last school. When two of the school "freaks" befriend her, she wonders if she should trust them, or if she should avoid them and try harder to be "normal" this time. But soon she discovers that she might have more incommon with them than she thought. Can she be a true friend and stand up for them against the bully that torments them? Will Rahab face her fears when her friends need her most?
It took me a while to relate to the main character since she is so guarded with her self, but her friendship with Scout and Hawkins draws you in, revealing more of Rahab, and soon you are cheering for these three. I couldn't put it down! I sure hope the author brings us another book in this series - and fast! I give this one 5 stars.
It took me a while to relate to the main character since she is so guarded with her self, but her friendship with Scout and Hawkins draws you in, revealing more of Rahab, and soon you are cheering for these three. I couldn't put it down! I sure hope the author brings us another book in this series - and fast! I give this one 5 stars.
Want to Read
June 13, 2012Looking forward to reading this one :-D
In compliance with FTC guidelines, I am required to disclose that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
In compliance with FTC guidelines, I am required to disclose that I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
January 1, 2013
Review to come later (since I know the author and so want to give an actual review for once) but for now, just adding it to my 2012 read list before the new year.
September 28, 2014
I really liked how the ending was!! I do want to find out what happened at the hospital, and what happened to John. I loved it!!! Is there a book that comes after this one?
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews