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Fooled
In this fresh, funny, and fast-paced story, chaos ensues when a down-on-its-luck middle school comes to believe that fake magic is the real deal!
Magic loving, wheelchair user Lil Evers wishes she could start sixth grade at a real wizarding school, instead of the worst junior high in her district. But when she leads her friends in roleplaying their own magic school in the Exceptional Children’s (EC) class for special education, it helps the school days feel more bearable.
When their magic wands end up scaring some bullies away in a chance encounter, the EC students’ standing at school does a total 180. Students think their magic is actually real—and that Lil and her friends can grant their wishes with good luck charms! Strangest of all, the charms seem to be working…
But it becomes clear that there’s someone lurking who doesn’t want the good luck to spread. Can Lil let go of her fantasy world to find her voice—and embrace her real school—before Willow Street Middle falls victim to an evil plan?
From the co-authors of the critically acclaimed memoir The Year of the Buttered Cat comes an imaginative novel that shines a spotlight on the way the school system often fails students with disabilities—while showcasing the power of those very students to make positive change.
Magic loving, wheelchair user Lil Evers wishes she could start sixth grade at a real wizarding school, instead of the worst junior high in her district. But when she leads her friends in roleplaying their own magic school in the Exceptional Children’s (EC) class for special education, it helps the school days feel more bearable.
When their magic wands end up scaring some bullies away in a chance encounter, the EC students’ standing at school does a total 180. Students think their magic is actually real—and that Lil and her friends can grant their wishes with good luck charms! Strangest of all, the charms seem to be working…
But it becomes clear that there’s someone lurking who doesn’t want the good luck to spread. Can Lil let go of her fantasy world to find her voice—and embrace her real school—before Willow Street Middle falls victim to an evil plan?
From the co-authors of the critically acclaimed memoir The Year of the Buttered Cat comes an imaginative novel that shines a spotlight on the way the school system often fails students with disabilities—while showcasing the power of those very students to make positive change.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 21, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 12, 2025
Hands down Fooled is going to be one of my FAVORITE middle grade books of 2025!! This heartfelt story co-authored by a mother-daughter duo was FANTABULOUS (to borrow Dora's favorite word)!! The book revolves around Lil, a magic-loving tween girl with a severe form of cerebral palsy who uses a motorized wheelchair and an alternative communication device (aug com) and her friends who are all in the Exceptional Children (EC) class.
As the EC friends start a new school year at Willow Street Middle they have to confront bullies, ableism and sinister school administrators who want to segregate the ECs from the rest of the school and exclude them from participating in extracurriculars. Luckily with a bit of magic and help from well-intentioned friends and allies, the four friends are able to stand up to the school board and fight for inclusivity and acceptance.
A hugely important story about being a good friend, the need for more school funding for students with disabilities and an EXCEPTIONAL example for young readers that those with disabilities are still people deserving of respect and kindness. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Dusti Bowling and books like Bionic boy by Lynn Plourde.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was a pure joy to read and I loved Lil and her friends so much. The book also has a great discussion and activity guide included at the back to help readers further explore the topics addressed in the story.
As the EC friends start a new school year at Willow Street Middle they have to confront bullies, ableism and sinister school administrators who want to segregate the ECs from the rest of the school and exclude them from participating in extracurriculars. Luckily with a bit of magic and help from well-intentioned friends and allies, the four friends are able to stand up to the school board and fight for inclusivity and acceptance.
A hugely important story about being a good friend, the need for more school funding for students with disabilities and an EXCEPTIONAL example for young readers that those with disabilities are still people deserving of respect and kindness. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Dusti Bowling and books like Bionic boy by Lynn Plourde.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This was a pure joy to read and I loved Lil and her friends so much. The book also has a great discussion and activity guide included at the back to help readers further explore the topics addressed in the story.
November 16, 2025
Really enjoyed this book that talks a lot about diversity and ablism. At first, it was really shocking to me to read about a school that was so anti-inclusive because its such an expectation in my school district (in Canada). I fear sadly that there are still many schools around North America that do still have the mind-set of Mrs. Nash and Mrs. Miller in this book. As a teacher, I loved Mr. Cooper and Mr. Jackson and how they fought for their students
November 8, 2025
This is a great read for kids and adults alike. I fell in love with the main characters and loved how they supported one another and shared their true selves. This book inspired us to see ALL people for their exceptional abilities.
My 10yo son read it at the same time as me and we loved discussing it together. He says "This book was inspiring to encourage others to overcome their challenges and to work together and to not be afraid".
My 10yo son read it at the same time as me and we loved discussing it together. He says "This book was inspiring to encourage others to overcome their challenges and to work together and to not be afraid".
July 11, 2026
I have to read 25 children's books for my Children's Lit class, and this is book one.
I really loved this charming story. It really highlights the power of friendship, disability rights, and what it's like to start middle school. Each character was well developed and interesting, with their own motivations and personalities -- no one felt underdeveloped or pushed to the side once their part of the story was completed. Plot wise, the authors crafted a story that kept me interested and made me wonder what was going to happen next, which I think is important for kids who might lose interest quickly.
I even teared up a little at the end.
I really loved this charming story. It really highlights the power of friendship, disability rights, and what it's like to start middle school. Each character was well developed and interesting, with their own motivations and personalities -- no one felt underdeveloped or pushed to the side once their part of the story was completed. Plot wise, the authors crafted a story that kept me interested and made me wonder what was going to happen next, which I think is important for kids who might lose interest quickly.
I even teared up a little at the end.
April 13, 2026
I admit there are some moments that read as a little bit cringy to me, specifically regarding using an unfamiliar (to the protagonist) language to create a spell.
However, there is so much that is overwhelmingly great about this book — I love the portrayal of a smart and talented person with CP written by a smart and talented person with CP. I love the way advocacy about disabilities is broken down in this book in ways that make it obvious and accessible to the reader. I love that the various EC kids are so perfectly themselves, and in being perfectly themselves are able to bring a community together. Full of heart. Great read.
However, there is so much that is overwhelmingly great about this book — I love the portrayal of a smart and talented person with CP written by a smart and talented person with CP. I love the way advocacy about disabilities is broken down in this book in ways that make it obvious and accessible to the reader. I love that the various EC kids are so perfectly themselves, and in being perfectly themselves are able to bring a community together. Full of heart. Great read.
June 27, 2026
I read a lot of juvenile and young adult books that include characters with disabilities (75-100/year). This is one of the rare books where the plot centers on schooling. I found that very refreshing! As a former special educator and professor of special education, I appreciated the focus on inclusion and that the students advocated on their own behalf. I found the plot a bit contrived or unrealistic, but otherwise a charming, effective, well-written story without being preachy.
May 17, 2026
Excellent disability representation, and particularly love that it is written by a mother/ daughter duo with lived experience! Mystery, magic, friendship, disability advocacy/ visibility, and a satisfying comeuppance - a hit for both me and my 9y/o daughter!
June 28, 2026
I absolutely LOVED this book. I loved being represented in Scoot with his flappy hands, and I loved how empowering the story is, teaching that every kid is important. And I love how dramatic this story, I was not expecting how thrilling the plot became.
January 11, 2026
At first I was a bit confused, but it was a great read. The characters were very well written, and the plot was detailed and interesting. Recommend for anyone learning about disability and ableism.
February 13, 2026
This was so good! The representation was fantastic and so, so needed. I absolutely loved the characters, and I almost read it all in one sitting! Congrats to this mother-daughter author duo for their amazing novel that celebrates sharing one's true self with others!
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)
March 22, 2026
"There’s plenty of fun here, but Haas also present a timely, realistic portrayal of a girl facing specific challenges in a school that is anything but supportive." [BCCB"
November 7, 2025
This book grabbed me from the start and didn’t let go! It was funny, charming, and heartfelt—this one truly gives all the feels! Highly recommend!
December 29, 2025
I got an ARC of this book.
DNF
I was living for Lil, I wanted to learn all about her. I wanted her to have all the magic in the world. I loved her snark at the magical schools for denying her. I loved so much about the characters.
The issue is the constant Harry Potter references. At first, it was just a term here or there that could be missed. Then it was name dropping the series on a regular basis. This book would have been stronger if it didn't rely on the name and lore of Harry Potter.
DNF
I was living for Lil, I wanted to learn all about her. I wanted her to have all the magic in the world. I loved her snark at the magical schools for denying her. I loved so much about the characters.
The issue is the constant Harry Potter references. At first, it was just a term here or there that could be missed. Then it was name dropping the series on a regular basis. This book would have been stronger if it didn't rely on the name and lore of Harry Potter.
August 3, 2025
When I was in school, in the dark ages, children who were disabled didn’t have a right to education. If they came to school at all, they were kept away from the main stream kids.
Apparently the guarantee of a free public school education didn’t become a law until President Geral Ford signed it into law in 1975. But, as the author’s note, at the end of Fooled states, just because it became law didn’t mean that all the schools started acting accordingly.
In Fooled, Lil, the main character has MS, and has a wheel chair to get her around, as well as a text to speech computer. She can speak, but it is very hard and slow. She wants to go to college. She wants to learn, but she has been put into an Exceptional Children’s class, along with Scoot, who is neurodivergent, and loves to tinker, and two other children, one who can’t talk, but can sing, and a girl who loves to jump and cheer. However, the vice principal doesn’t want to mainstream the kids, and forbids them from doing extra curricular activities.
But Lil doesn’t take no for an answer, and fights to get everyone in the after school classes that suit them best.
What I really like about this story, other than the daughter of the mother daughter trio, is disabled, so knows how people like her are treated, is that the class president, Eva, isn’t a mean girl, the way so many middle school stories like to do to popular girls. When Lil asks her about that, later in the book, she has an excellent response. “Yeah, maybe they talk better, but talk is all they do. They never stop to think or listen. You and the other ECs don’t waste your time trying to convince everyone around you how great you are. You just do you.”
Loved this book. Hopefully a lot of kids out there will love it as well. And oh, yes, Lil really wants to go to a magic school, when the story starts, but gradually realizes that remaining the in the real world is where she really wants to be.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 21st of October 2025.
Apparently the guarantee of a free public school education didn’t become a law until President Geral Ford signed it into law in 1975. But, as the author’s note, at the end of Fooled states, just because it became law didn’t mean that all the schools started acting accordingly.
In Fooled, Lil, the main character has MS, and has a wheel chair to get her around, as well as a text to speech computer. She can speak, but it is very hard and slow. She wants to go to college. She wants to learn, but she has been put into an Exceptional Children’s class, along with Scoot, who is neurodivergent, and loves to tinker, and two other children, one who can’t talk, but can sing, and a girl who loves to jump and cheer. However, the vice principal doesn’t want to mainstream the kids, and forbids them from doing extra curricular activities.
But Lil doesn’t take no for an answer, and fights to get everyone in the after school classes that suit them best.
What I really like about this story, other than the daughter of the mother daughter trio, is disabled, so knows how people like her are treated, is that the class president, Eva, isn’t a mean girl, the way so many middle school stories like to do to popular girls. When Lil asks her about that, later in the book, she has an excellent response. “Yeah, maybe they talk better, but talk is all they do. They never stop to think or listen. You and the other ECs don’t waste your time trying to convince everyone around you how great you are. You just do you.”
Loved this book. Hopefully a lot of kids out there will love it as well. And oh, yes, Lil really wants to go to a magic school, when the story starts, but gradually realizes that remaining the in the real world is where she really wants to be.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 21st of October 2025.
September 14, 2025
One doesn’t need to attend a wizarding school to do magic. In Susan Haas and Lexi Haas’ book “Fooled”, Lil Evers and her friends Scoot, Dora, Benny and Eva prove that magic is just believing. Believing in oneself, believing in the goodness of others, believing that one can impact change. The “Exceptional Children’s” (EC) program is for special needs kids who need help in various way to succeed. Unfortunately some want these EC kids to be stuffed away in a room out of the way. Lil and her friends advocate for themselves so they can participate in various activities as fully as they are able. In this process the other students find that the EC kids are just as capable as the General Ed kids. And the magic begins to happen.
This book helps all of us understand the special needs of all children. The authors, a mother and a special needs daughter, have done a great job of presenting the various situations that a special needs person encounters and how these situations can be addressed. I would love to see this book developed into a series that can help all of us be aware of and work with special needs people. This book is written for a middle school young reader and I think that it would also have value for adults as well.
I want to thank Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#LittleBriwnBooksForYoungReaders
#Fooled
#NetGalley
#Children’sFiction
#SpecialNeeds
#AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct
This book helps all of us understand the special needs of all children. The authors, a mother and a special needs daughter, have done a great job of presenting the various situations that a special needs person encounters and how these situations can be addressed. I would love to see this book developed into a series that can help all of us be aware of and work with special needs people. This book is written for a middle school young reader and I think that it would also have value for adults as well.
I want to thank Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the complimentary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
#LittleBriwnBooksForYoungReaders
#Fooled
#NetGalley
#Children’sFiction
#SpecialNeeds
#AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct
October 9, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and I was charmed by it. It’s an unbelievably sweet story about unbelievably powerful kids who take their lives and their education into their own hands. It shows that every kid, no matter how able or mobile they may be, deserve to be seen, heard and understood.
July 28, 2026
A Great Read
This was a great read. Intermediate elementary and middle schoolers will love it! It’s a beautiful and funny portrayal of the power of believing in yourself, organizing for what’s right and the what can happen when a community not just sees each other but appreciates each other.
This was a great read. Intermediate elementary and middle schoolers will love it! It’s a beautiful and funny portrayal of the power of believing in yourself, organizing for what’s right and the what can happen when a community not just sees each other but appreciates each other.
August 31, 2025
I'm so happy I was able to get an ARC of "Fooled" thanks to Netgalley. I'd seriously been refreshing it every so often, waiting to see Fooled pop up after I saw Susan and Lexi speak at the National Book Festival in DC last year. Fear not! The magical authorship duo is BACK!
I adored this book and read it incredibly quickly; it was so spellbinding! Lil, Benny, Dora, and Scoot are all in the EC classroom for Exceptional Children, or what other schools might call "special education". Students that might need help succeeding in a variety of ways are placed in the EC classroom, and mostly left to their own devices. I loved Lil and her friends' idea to make their OWN magic school, especially after the recent disaster that is that OTHER famous magic school, and some of the author's more exclusionary views. See, the EC classroom and the students in it are treated less-than by the other Gen Ed students and more separate than equal thanks to the Safety First Initiative.
That is, until Catchin' Charms. Now, I won't spoil everything, I'll just tell you the charms and their magic catch on around the school and the town faster than you can say "abracadabra"!
I greatly appreciated the inclusion of various types of disabilities, a variety of views on growing up alongside children with disabilities, and a brand new group of wizards and magicians to cheer for! Lexi and Susan Haas never disappoint! This book includes different perspectives on growing up disabled or around someone who is, from the parents trying to help their child succeed, to schools doing what they can, to the town not fully understanding, and so many others. I'm thankful for the Authors Note at the end talking about the use of the term "fool" throughout history and how it has evolved over time, and more information about glass children, the typical siblings of disabled children that are not seen, rather, seen through. Often these glass children are overlooked and villified because they don't love their disabled sibling 100% of the time, but does anyone love their sibling all the time?? I don't think so.
Lastly, abundant thanks to Lexi and Susan for giving ME something magical to believe in, too. 100% would tattoo these stars on my body without hesitation (if I was medically cleared). I can't wait to see this book spread like the Catchin' Charms!
I adored this book and read it incredibly quickly; it was so spellbinding! Lil, Benny, Dora, and Scoot are all in the EC classroom for Exceptional Children, or what other schools might call "special education". Students that might need help succeeding in a variety of ways are placed in the EC classroom, and mostly left to their own devices. I loved Lil and her friends' idea to make their OWN magic school, especially after the recent disaster that is that OTHER famous magic school, and some of the author's more exclusionary views. See, the EC classroom and the students in it are treated less-than by the other Gen Ed students and more separate than equal thanks to the Safety First Initiative.
That is, until Catchin' Charms. Now, I won't spoil everything, I'll just tell you the charms and their magic catch on around the school and the town faster than you can say "abracadabra"!
I greatly appreciated the inclusion of various types of disabilities, a variety of views on growing up alongside children with disabilities, and a brand new group of wizards and magicians to cheer for! Lexi and Susan Haas never disappoint! This book includes different perspectives on growing up disabled or around someone who is, from the parents trying to help their child succeed, to schools doing what they can, to the town not fully understanding, and so many others. I'm thankful for the Authors Note at the end talking about the use of the term "fool" throughout history and how it has evolved over time, and more information about glass children, the typical siblings of disabled children that are not seen, rather, seen through. Often these glass children are overlooked and villified because they don't love their disabled sibling 100% of the time, but does anyone love their sibling all the time?? I don't think so.
Lastly, abundant thanks to Lexi and Susan for giving ME something magical to believe in, too. 100% would tattoo these stars on my body without hesitation (if I was medically cleared). I can't wait to see this book spread like the Catchin' Charms!
March 25, 2026
Fooled by Susan Haas with Lexi Haas, 269 pages. Little Brown, 2025. $18
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mild bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
11yo Lil and her friends in her EC (Exceptional Children) class at Willow Street Middle School love magic, but their situations and their unabashed love of magic also makes them targets for a couple of bullies at school. Plus, the vice principal at their school has the school board’s approval for a new Safety First initiative, which seems to be aimed at keeping the ECs in their classroom where they can’t be seen by everyone else. One day, however, the football team asks Lil for a charm to help them win their game -- and it works! Now they are busily making charms for some many others - which makes them even more of a target.
I so loved reading about Lil and her friends. They are fully realized human beings - not caricatures of their abilities and challenges. Fully able to stand beside Wonder or Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...) in terms of heart and representation.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G (mild bullying)
BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
11yo Lil and her friends in her EC (Exceptional Children) class at Willow Street Middle School love magic, but their situations and their unabashed love of magic also makes them targets for a couple of bullies at school. Plus, the vice principal at their school has the school board’s approval for a new Safety First initiative, which seems to be aimed at keeping the ECs in their classroom where they can’t be seen by everyone else. One day, however, the football team asks Lil for a charm to help them win their game -- and it works! Now they are busily making charms for some many others - which makes them even more of a target.
I so loved reading about Lil and her friends. They are fully realized human beings - not caricatures of their abilities and challenges. Fully able to stand beside Wonder or Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus (https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...) in terms of heart and representation.
Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
January 17, 2026
This is one of the most accurate portrayals of disability, friendship, and communication support I have seen in middle-grade fiction. As a speech-language pathologist specializing in assistive technology, I witnessed firsthand the experiences of many persons with complex communication needs through Lil’s slow, effortful speech, her dependence on a device that cannot keep up with fast-paced social moments, and the constant barriers created by inaccessible school environments. The portrayal of navigating complex education issues is outstanding. The writing is honest and heartfelt, and the story gives visibility to voices that are often overlooked. This book matters for clinicians, educators, families, and every reader who needs a clearer picture of what real inclusion should look like.
October 29, 2025
In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm over 60, so not the target audience for Fooled. Of course, I wasn't the original target audience for Harry Potter either.
I started reading and couldn’t stop. There were so many things I loved.. The characters… the thoughtful story… the themes so gently incorporated.
Can't wait for the next book that I heard you tease at a recent event.
I started reading and couldn’t stop. There were so many things I loved.. The characters… the thoughtful story… the themes so gently incorporated.
Can't wait for the next book that I heard you tease at a recent event.
December 2, 2025
DNF for Fooled. Not what I was looking for--there's a stalking subplot that gives the book a much more ominous mood than what the cover would suggest. Additionally, the way pop-culture references were used wasn't to my taste, and there were some worldbuilding details that I didn't find believable. Younger readers than me may enjoy this one, though.
January 21, 2026
I have mixed feeling about this book. The story was GREAT- but it took a while for me to really get into it. Most of the characters are extremely relatable and I love the fact that the main characters were the kids who often get shunted to the sides. The "bad guy" student was entirely predictable but overall I did enjoy this one.
November 30, 2025
picked up this book based on just the cover - lovely art. the magic is real, it's just not the magic that some think of. the teamwork, cooperation, friendship, and hard work written in the plot are pure magic. cheeto dust is magic!!
July 29, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
November 7, 2025
One of the best books I've ever read
Did Not Finish
January 18, 2026Too many explicit Harry Potter references.
December 5, 2025
Such a good story! Lovable characters who are easy to connect with and a storyline that keeps you entertained! Good read for all ages!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews