The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 5)

Snicket, Lemony

ISBN 10: 0060288884 ISBN 13: 9780060288884

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2000

Synopsis

At such short notice, it's lucky that the Baudelaires were able to find room at boarding school. Even though the dormitory is full, there's sure to be somewhere for them to sleep.

It's important to be well rested for school -- or in case of an emergency. It's fortunate too that the siblings will have a chance to meet some other children. Even though some students are rude, or possibly a part of an evil scheme, there's hope that the Baudelaires will make some friends. A good friend can be a great help in a pinch.

The children will even have the chance to take part in a unique athletic program. Even with a sketchy instructor, they will develop strong legs. Strong legs can come in handy for sports -- or to run for your life.

With some good sleep, nice friends, a solid education, and strong legs, the Baudelaires will hopefully be as well prepared as they can -- just in case their time at school turns out to be another wretched episode in a series of unfortunate events.

About this title

Review:

As the three Baudelaire orphans warily approach their new home--Prufrock Preparatory School--they can't help but notice the enormous stone arch bearing the school's motto Memento Mori, or "Remember you will die." This is not a cheerful greeting, and certainly marks an inauspicious beginning to a very bleak story. Of course, this is what we have come to expect from Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events, the deliciously morbid set of books that began with The Bad Beginning and only got worse.

In The Austere Academy, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny are at first optimistic--attending school is a welcome change for the book-loving trio, and the academy is allegedly safe from the dreaded Count Olaf, who is after their fortune. Hope dissipates quickly, however, when they meet Vice Principal Nero, a self-professed genius violinist who sneeringly imitates their every word. More dreadful still, he houses them in the tin Orphans Shack, crawling with toe-biting crabs and dripping with a mysterious tan fungus. A beam of light shines through the despair when the Baudelaires meet the Quagmires, two of three orphaned triplets who are no strangers to disaster and sympathize with their predicament. When Count Olaf appears on the scene disguised as Coach Genghis (covering his monobrow with a turban and his ankle tattoo with expensive running shoes), the Quagmires resolve to come to the aid of their new friends. Sadly, this proves to be a hideous mistake.

Snicket disarms us again with his playful juxtapositions--only he can compare bombs with strawberry shortcake (both are as dangerous to make as assumptions), muse on how babies adjust developmentally to the idea of curtains, or ponder why the Baudelaire orphans would not want to be stalks of celery despite their incessant bad luck as humans. We can't get enough of this splendid series of misadventures, and can only wager that swarms of young readers will be right next to us in line for the next installment. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

About the Author:

Lemony Snicket grew up near the sea and currently lives beneath it. To his horror and dismay, he has no wife or children, only enemies, associates, and the occasional loyal manservant. His trial has been delayed, so he is free to continue researching and recording the tragic tales of the Baudelaire orphans for HarperCollins.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0060288884
• ISBN 13: 9780060288884
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 240
• Illustrator: Helquist Brett, Kupperman Michael