Bennenfall; or, The Lollipop Guerrillas

by Candi Deschamps

The Bennenfall School for Girls on the Upper East Side of Manhattan has been churning out little ladies for over a century. But the rising sixth grade class, audacious and unattractive, is a threat to the school’s longstanding reputation. Hoping to contain these students (or maybe to have a scapegoat?), the Headmistress hires an inexperienced alumna as their new teacher. Under Miss Morganstern’s unconventional leadership, though, the so-called Lollipop Guild becomes more dangerous than ever. As they grow in power and notoriety, as injustices escalate and predation arises and their home lives unravel, the girls will learn how far Bennenfall is willing to go to protect its legacy—and also how far their disturbed young teacher is willing to take their cause.

ebook

Published July 28, 2020

Reviews

[Tony Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upper East Side of Manhattan, NYC. The Bennenfall School for Girls. Dr. Gardiner (Headmistress) had hired Alexandra Morganstern (24, alumni, 6th grade, PhD; Existential Philosophy) to teach humanities & French.
The students: Anna Comstock, Kim “KC” Connors, Daphne Grady, Priscilla Gillespie, Jessi Levine (Jewish), Helen Silverstein, Maisie (English/Brazilian), Claudia Boone (13), & Nimai Carlyle, introduce their-selves & tell something about themselves.

The other teachers/employees are: Terry Tech, Dougal Wilder English, math, Maureen O’Doyle science, Nurse Jules, Mr. Wallace, Ms. Pozniak, Mr. Wilder & Mr. Scott.
Sunny (Philippino, 23, nanny) watched Sybil Robson (11, student) when her dad was working & mom off on some adventure.
The Receperint Retro Cocktail Hour was held to reacquaint parents, alumnae, & Board members.
The Lollipop Guild was formed for the students.
Later, Maureen split The Lollipop Guild into 3 groups of 3: KC, Maisie, & Sybil; Helen, Daphne, & Anna; Nimai, Priscilla, & Jessi.
It was the annual Halloween parade down Madison Ave.
HeartOrHate social website was getting quite popular.
Mr. Wilder (6th grade math) was taking roll: Kimberly “KC” Connors; Priscilla Gillespie; Jessica Levine; Sybil Robson; Margaret Smith; & Helen Silverstein.

Anna Comstock transferred to The Alderdahl School for Girls.

Kimberly “KC” Connors, Helen Silverstein, & Priscilla Gillespie in public schools.
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.

An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written coming of age schoolgirl book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great coming of age schoolgirl movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. It was just OK for me so I will still rate it at 4/5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; Future Notion Press; Goodreads; MakingConnections; Making Connections discussion group talk; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. DEVOURED IT! One rainy day on my couch, and DONE! It bridges a gap between YA and grownup fiction, seriously fun and easy to read, but simultaneously heart-wrenching. There's a scene between Sybil and her dad that was just so incredibly evocative of my own childhood. Please, oh please write a sequel ... 'Where, oh Where is Brandy Gardiner'?!? Part of why I love reading fiction is watching new authors grow from their first novel to their next - So I VERY much look forward to what it's in store from Deschamps.

[Elizabeth Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this is a goodreads giveaway . As an educator ,I related to all the faculty and types of students. The plot is a group of girls in a NYC private school are known as the misfits aka “lollipop guild” You realize this group is not so much a group of bad kids ,but they are trying to go against the status quo of private school. As you get to know the faculty you relate even more with the girls realizing I had a teacher like that,and My reaction would’ve been the same. I try to be more of a miss morgenstern

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this in a giveaway, then went on here to be reminded why I asked for this. There was no synopsis. But the giveaway had one. I digress. It just wasn't for me from the get go. I was interested in what people meant by a book for older young adults, one with cussing but dealing with a woman in her 20s and middle school girls. I might go back and finish it, change my review, but for now it needs off currently reading.

[enid Check · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about a bunch of underdogs. They just want to be treated with respect but can’t seem to do so without making matters worse. The teacher goes a little over the top at the end to make a point. From this I feel the girls see how not to wind up when they grow up. I found the main characters to be especially interesting.
Even rich kids can have extremely dis functional lives.

[Meredith Magoun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wickedly New York Story

Candi Deschamps spins a surprisingly dark tale of tweens on the upper west side. She weaves together multiple narratives to create a vivid landscape of angst and young women trying to find their power. Throughly enjoyed this read.

[Stephanie Bierke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extreme perspective of middle schoolers

While the storyline captured your attention with the extreme behavior, it became dark at the climax. Bennenfall brought to life the challenges of new generations, old behaviors, trust and loyalty.

[LB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so interesting, and one I won’t forget. I loved all of the interesting characters, as well as the mood of the whole story. I’d gladly read other works by Candi Deschamps! This was my first, and I’m grateful to have won this book in a giveaway.

[devin ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

such an interesting read, a great character study! only qualms: the lack of editing and i didn’t love the way queer characters were written. a very quirky, odd little book, if dead poets society had a freaky twist

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this down! And when i had to, I could not stop thinking of what could happen next... So good! Hoping there is a series coming!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much!! It’s sharp, funny, wild, and totally entertaining. Fantastically written. Loved it.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a read in time for back to school! It perfectly walks that line between fun YA and satisfying adult read that I've been craving. Great writing and memorable characters.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb, stylish prose, and an engaging, witty storyline. Deschamps is one to look out for.

[Bpatchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that takes young people seriously, and persuades us to as well. Somewhere between "Vilette" and Louis Sachar, with a guest appearance by the Symbionese Liberation Army. Observant, literary, and frightening; laugh-out-loud funny and stay-up-late engrossing. Recommended to those who love stories about interesting young people, and the mad world that we've created for them.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprise

I received this book as a winner in the Goodreads giveaway. I had not heard of the series or this author. I was pleasantly surprised to read a book about six graders at a prep school in New York City written so well. If Judy Blume had written about more than one character I don’t know if she could’ve done a better job of a portraying issues thanks and problems that are wrapped up in girls’ lives at that age. I look forward to reading more books by this author and I hope that she continues focusing on how difficult it is for girls to grow up.

[Morgan Baden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I *loved* this book.

Witty, pretty, smart, scary, sad -- so many characters and plotlines that beautifully wove together to tell a compelling, un-put-downable story.