What do you think?
Rate this book
St Grizzle's School for Girls #1
St Grizzle’s School for Girls, Goats and Random Boys
Hi I'm Dani and my mum loves penguins’ bums more than me. Otherwise she’d never dump me in some stuffy old school while she heads off to the Antarctic.
And it gets worse. When we arrive at St Grizelda’s School for Girls, the school’s had a drastic makeover. Gone are the uniforms, the rules and ... er, most of the pupils and staff.
In their place is TOTAL CHAOS.
We’re greeted by a bunch of stampeding eight-year-olds, a head-butting goat and a crazy head teacher wearing a plastic-spoon crown...
Somebody get me OUT of here!
And it gets worse. When we arrive at St Grizelda’s School for Girls, the school’s had a drastic makeover. Gone are the uniforms, the rules and ... er, most of the pupils and staff.
In their place is TOTAL CHAOS.
We’re greeted by a bunch of stampeding eight-year-olds, a head-butting goat and a crazy head teacher wearing a plastic-spoon crown...
Somebody get me OUT of here!
- GenresChildrensMiddle Grade
224 pages, Paperback
Published January 12, 2017
About the author
Karen McCombie
187 books196 followersKaren McCombie is a bestselling author of children's and young adult novels, and has had more than 90 books published. She is the author of the much-loved series 'Ally's World' (early 2000s) and her most recent books include the Carnegie-nominated historical adventure 'Little Bird Flies' (2019) and it's newly published partner novel 'Little Bird Lands' (2020, Nosy Crow Books), plus the 'St Grizzle's School' series for younger readers (Stripes). She has several books publishing in 2021.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 6, 2017
Haha, this was absolutely brilliant. I laughed my bum off reading this one. :P
This was even better than I had hoped and expected, and even funnier as well. Of course there were a few moments that had me shaking me head, for instance that I wondered if those kids truly studied at that school or, if later when they went to another one, would encounter a lot of trouble. Sure, there was mention that there were teachers, but whenever we got to actual classes it just seemed all they learned was just too basic. Plus doesn't anyone there care about hygiene?
But oh well, that is not the focus of this book, and it was actually one of the two small things that I didn't particularly like. For the sake of getting bad things out of the way, the second thing I didn't quite like were the triplets. They were annoying, creepy, meh. I didn't think they were funny, and I wondered why none of the teachers thought to educate them a bit more.
Dani was a delightful character, and while she was a bit meh in the book at times, I totally could understand her feelings. First her mom just dumps her at a boarding school so the mom could study penguin bums (yes, bums), then the boarding school isn't what it is supposed to be, then a whole slew of stuff happens. I was just hoping that she might find some happiness in the school, a place to call home, a place with new friends. It was definitely quite fun to see her open up more and more as the book progressed. And how her feelings changed on various topics.
She turned into quite a fun, happy character.
Plus I just loved her stop-motion videos and the characters she used for those. She got quite a talent and I hope she will continue making them, getting better and better. Not many people are able to make things like that, so it is awesome that she can do it.
The school was quite hilarious, not only did stuff like uniforms, classes, and other things change, but we also got a goat that eats everything and walks quite freely, a boy in a wheelchair (while this is a girl-only school), a Japanese guy who is the receptionist (apparently he got lost and "adopted" by the headmistress). The statue outside gets updated daily with new stuff covering it (which I would have love to see). The school is chaos, but quite a fun chaos if I have to say so myself, I was wondering how far they would go. What is allowed, what isn't allowed?
Next to Dani we have a big cast of characters. From Swan, the daughter of the headmistress would just wants Dani to give things a chance, she was quite grumpy when Dani didn't cooperate, to Yaz who is possibly the only student taking things seriously, though I did feel sorry that she had hopes her dad was coming while it was clear no one was coming, to Blossom who at times was a bit annoying but still turned out to be a sweet girl eager to be friends with Dani.
And then we also have Arch, the best friend of Dani. She often facetimes with him, or sends him text messages. He was quite a nice character and friendly as well.
Lulu was just plain weird, but still a fun character, I did like that she had such plans, if only she had worked them out better. :P
The book is one rollercoaster of hilarious situations, but also with some sadness (I felt quite sorry for Dani at times).
The book is also filled to the brim with fun illustrations by Becka Moor. Her style definitely fits the book perfectly. All of the characters were exactly as I pictured them.
Also I am loving that cover! It is just so silly looking. It was the first thing that lured me into the book, and then I read the blurb, and the deal was sealed.
I can't wait for the next book, yes, from what I can see there will be more books about this boarding school. I can't wait! I also hope we will see more of those rivals that popped up in this book (well, rivals, Grizzle's school didn't see them as that, but the other school did see Grizzle's as their rivals).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This was even better than I had hoped and expected, and even funnier as well. Of course there were a few moments that had me shaking me head, for instance that I wondered if those kids truly studied at that school or, if later when they went to another one, would encounter a lot of trouble. Sure, there was mention that there were teachers, but whenever we got to actual classes it just seemed all they learned was just too basic. Plus doesn't anyone there care about hygiene?
But oh well, that is not the focus of this book, and it was actually one of the two small things that I didn't particularly like. For the sake of getting bad things out of the way, the second thing I didn't quite like were the triplets. They were annoying, creepy, meh. I didn't think they were funny, and I wondered why none of the teachers thought to educate them a bit more.
Dani was a delightful character, and while she was a bit meh in the book at times, I totally could understand her feelings. First her mom just dumps her at a boarding school so the mom could study penguin bums (yes, bums), then the boarding school isn't what it is supposed to be, then a whole slew of stuff happens. I was just hoping that she might find some happiness in the school, a place to call home, a place with new friends. It was definitely quite fun to see her open up more and more as the book progressed. And how her feelings changed on various topics.
She turned into quite a fun, happy character.
Plus I just loved her stop-motion videos and the characters she used for those. She got quite a talent and I hope she will continue making them, getting better and better. Not many people are able to make things like that, so it is awesome that she can do it.
The school was quite hilarious, not only did stuff like uniforms, classes, and other things change, but we also got a goat that eats everything and walks quite freely, a boy in a wheelchair (while this is a girl-only school), a Japanese guy who is the receptionist (apparently he got lost and "adopted" by the headmistress). The statue outside gets updated daily with new stuff covering it (which I would have love to see). The school is chaos, but quite a fun chaos if I have to say so myself, I was wondering how far they would go. What is allowed, what isn't allowed?
Next to Dani we have a big cast of characters. From Swan, the daughter of the headmistress would just wants Dani to give things a chance, she was quite grumpy when Dani didn't cooperate, to Yaz who is possibly the only student taking things seriously, though I did feel sorry that she had hopes her dad was coming while it was clear no one was coming, to Blossom who at times was a bit annoying but still turned out to be a sweet girl eager to be friends with Dani.
And then we also have Arch, the best friend of Dani. She often facetimes with him, or sends him text messages. He was quite a nice character and friendly as well.
Lulu was just plain weird, but still a fun character, I did like that she had such plans, if only she had worked them out better. :P
The book is one rollercoaster of hilarious situations, but also with some sadness (I felt quite sorry for Dani at times).
The book is also filled to the brim with fun illustrations by Becka Moor. Her style definitely fits the book perfectly. All of the characters were exactly as I pictured them.
Also I am loving that cover! It is just so silly looking. It was the first thing that lured me into the book, and then I read the blurb, and the deal was sealed.
I can't wait for the next book, yes, from what I can see there will be more books about this boarding school. I can't wait! I also hope we will see more of those rivals that popped up in this book (well, rivals, Grizzle's school didn't see them as that, but the other school did see Grizzle's as their rivals).
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
July 7, 2018
Cute and funny, but too short - I need Book 2! It reminded me of everything I loved about boarding school stories I devoured as a kid, as well as St Trinians.
April 16, 2018
Dani lives with her zoologist mum and crazy dog Downboy. She's happy attending her normal school with her best friend Arch whom she makes cool online video's with old toys they collect together.
Starting at St Grizelda's boarding school for girls where she has to stay for three months while her mum goes away on an expedition, Dani isn't happy.
Upon arrival she and her mum learn of the loopy headmistress, Twinkle the school mascot and real life, goat. As well as classes being named after random forms of nature and animals while students names being of the near same too! There's also random only boy, Zed whom is Swan's wheelchair bound twin.
As Dani learns there's hardly any pupils, or sane one's, she desperately wants to go home even though her grandma thinks her new school looks ace just like her Mum and eventually Dani comes to understand the students she's surrounded with and when her Mum turns up to take her home, she has a decision to make...
Becka Moor illustrates the story throughout with crazy cool caricatures of each character and the situations they wind up in. The story was very different to anything I've read before, with feral acting children and lessons unlike in a typical school, it's super different to any story by Karen before and is ideal if you've ever wished for a school where stereotypical lessons and day happens!
Starting at St Grizelda's boarding school for girls where she has to stay for three months while her mum goes away on an expedition, Dani isn't happy.
Upon arrival she and her mum learn of the loopy headmistress, Twinkle the school mascot and real life, goat. As well as classes being named after random forms of nature and animals while students names being of the near same too! There's also random only boy, Zed whom is Swan's wheelchair bound twin.
As Dani learns there's hardly any pupils, or sane one's, she desperately wants to go home even though her grandma thinks her new school looks ace just like her Mum and eventually Dani comes to understand the students she's surrounded with and when her Mum turns up to take her home, she has a decision to make...
Becka Moor illustrates the story throughout with crazy cool caricatures of each character and the situations they wind up in. The story was very different to anything I've read before, with feral acting children and lessons unlike in a typical school, it's super different to any story by Karen before and is ideal if you've ever wished for a school where stereotypical lessons and day happens!
January 12, 2017
Enjoyed immensely by my 9 year old daughter who found it funny, exciting, and a real page-turner.
She's now recommending it to her friends and can't wait for the next one in the series.
She found it an easy read, and I'd say it's the perfect read for both boys and girls aged 7-11.
Review copy supplied by publisher.
She's now recommending it to her friends and can't wait for the next one in the series.
She found it an easy read, and I'd say it's the perfect read for both boys and girls aged 7-11.
Review copy supplied by publisher.
August 16, 2017
its funny because they have a goat that likes chewing on things, and the girl stepped on twigs. (L, aged 5)
January 21, 2018
Very silly....and a lot of fun 😉🐐
February 25, 2021
I love this book so much
March 1, 2021
So funny
August 5, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. Karen’s works r all extremely enjoyable. Can’t wait to read the rest in the series and see what the grizzle gang get up to next!
February 5, 2025
My favourite character is blossom because she is crazy!🤪👩🏽
I like the part where twinkle goes crazy in the shop.✨️🐐
I like the part where twinkle goes crazy in the shop.✨️🐐
February 2, 2017
Originally posted here: https://heatherreviews.com/2017/01/03...
_____________________________________________________________
I love a good middle grade story that has crazy adventures and weird and wonderful characters. St Grizzle’s has all of the above. Full of wonderful illustrations, hilarious writing, and characters that leap from the pages, this is a perfect read for fun-loving younger readers.
Dani’s mum is about to head to Antarctica to study penguins for three months, leaving Dani to attend the most boring boarding school ever: St Grizelda’s. With its stuffy uniforms and prim and proper manner, Dani is sure it will be the worst experience of her life, but then she arrives and it’s not at all what she expected.
Dani might not want to be at St Grizzle’s but all the kids there go out of their way to make her feel welcome – not that she notices. Being so wrapped in getting out of there, Dani doesn’t realise just how amazing the school and its students actually are. It was wonderful to see her heart winning out over her head – the adventure inside her winning out over the misguided logic that she shouldn’t be there.
As Dani settles into the school life, I’m already excited to see what adventures they’ll have next. After settling into life at St Grizzle’s, Dani and her new friends have all the time in the world ahead of them and with the wacky and colourful personalities already at the school, I can only imagine what hi-jinks they’ll get up to.
Becka Moor’s wonderful illustrations bring the story to life across the pages. I think it’s great when the pictures complement the story so well but don’t draw the focus away from the text.
A story that is sure to make kids laugh, St Grizzle’s tells them to live in the moment – no matter how wacky.
_____________________________________________________________
I love a good middle grade story that has crazy adventures and weird and wonderful characters. St Grizzle’s has all of the above. Full of wonderful illustrations, hilarious writing, and characters that leap from the pages, this is a perfect read for fun-loving younger readers.
Dani’s mum is about to head to Antarctica to study penguins for three months, leaving Dani to attend the most boring boarding school ever: St Grizelda’s. With its stuffy uniforms and prim and proper manner, Dani is sure it will be the worst experience of her life, but then she arrives and it’s not at all what she expected.
Dani might not want to be at St Grizzle’s but all the kids there go out of their way to make her feel welcome – not that she notices. Being so wrapped in getting out of there, Dani doesn’t realise just how amazing the school and its students actually are. It was wonderful to see her heart winning out over her head – the adventure inside her winning out over the misguided logic that she shouldn’t be there.
As Dani settles into the school life, I’m already excited to see what adventures they’ll have next. After settling into life at St Grizzle’s, Dani and her new friends have all the time in the world ahead of them and with the wacky and colourful personalities already at the school, I can only imagine what hi-jinks they’ll get up to.
Becka Moor’s wonderful illustrations bring the story to life across the pages. I think it’s great when the pictures complement the story so well but don’t draw the focus away from the text.
A story that is sure to make kids laugh, St Grizzle’s tells them to live in the moment – no matter how wacky.
November 24, 2016
When Dani Dexter’s Mum gets the opportunity of a lifetime to go and research penguins’ bums in Antarctica, she finds herself heading off to spend three months, THREE MONTHS, in a strict, boring boarding school for girls. That's three months of not making mini-movies with her best friend, Arch. Three months without Mum, Granny Viv and Downboy.
Dani’s seen St Grizelda’s website and it's a “super-smart, fancy-pants, dull-grey-skirt-and-silly-hat-wearing boarding school”, and she’s not happy about it. But, when Mum and Dani arrive at the school, what she sees is far from what was advertised; the snooty statue has sunglasses on, what appears to be a goblin lands on the bonnet, the school mascot is an eat everything in sight goat, and the headteacher appears with a plastic spoon crown on her head. And there's random boys! How on earth is Dani to survive this crazy chaos for three months?
With a subtle message of not taking things at face value and giving new opportunities a chance, this is a riotously funny tale of Dani fitting in while standing out, finding friendship and learning to enjoy new experiences. Looking forward to the next one already.
Great for fans of Dork Diaries, Clarice Bean, The Worst Witch and Pippi Longstocking.
ebook proof courtesy of Stripes Publishing via Netgalley.
Dani’s seen St Grizelda’s website and it's a “super-smart, fancy-pants, dull-grey-skirt-and-silly-hat-wearing boarding school”, and she’s not happy about it. But, when Mum and Dani arrive at the school, what she sees is far from what was advertised; the snooty statue has sunglasses on, what appears to be a goblin lands on the bonnet, the school mascot is an eat everything in sight goat, and the headteacher appears with a plastic spoon crown on her head. And there's random boys! How on earth is Dani to survive this crazy chaos for three months?
With a subtle message of not taking things at face value and giving new opportunities a chance, this is a riotously funny tale of Dani fitting in while standing out, finding friendship and learning to enjoy new experiences. Looking forward to the next one already.
Great for fans of Dork Diaries, Clarice Bean, The Worst Witch and Pippi Longstocking.
ebook proof courtesy of Stripes Publishing via Netgalley.
February 7, 2017
The story follows a young girl called Danni whose mum has to go to Antarctica to study penguin bums and leaves her at a strange and silly boarding school. It was a very good story about making friends and bring lonely but loved without realising it. I feel this book is a great introduction to the characters and look forward to reading the sequel.
July 10, 2017
I really liked it because it was very funny and with every chapter it got more intresting and funny.
this book is amazing and hilarious!!!
I truly recommend it!😘
this book is amazing and hilarious!!!
I truly recommend it!😘
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews