The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

Marya Lupu lives in a kingdom where boys train to become sorcerers while girls are expected to be quiet and dutiful. After failing to stop her brother's acceptance into the sorcerer's guild, Marya is sent to Dragomir Academy - a school far from home meant to reform "troubled" girls. At the remote academy, Marya and her fellow students follow strict rules and learn proper behavior through a rigid curriculum. Yet as she begins to question the school's true purpose and investigate its history, she discovers inconsistencies in what she has been taught about magic, power, and her own capabilities. Alongside her new friends, Marya works to uncover long-buried secrets about the academy and the kingdom's magical system. Her search for truth forces her to confront deep-rooted beliefs about gender roles, societal expectations, and who truly gets to wield power. The novel explores themes of institutional oppression, the power of questioning authority, and the ways societies can limit potential based on gender. Through its fantasy setting, the story examines how systems maintain control through restricted access to knowledge and opportunities.

Readers praise the book's feminist themes and its exploration of systemic discrimination. Many reviews highlight how the story validates girls' experiences while remaining accessible to young readers. The magic system and world-building receive frequent mentions for their originality. Specific praise focuses on: - Complex female friendships - Examination of institutional bias - Character development of protagonist Marya - Integration of historical elements Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Some find the messaging heavy-handed - Adult characters can feel one-dimensional Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (250+ ratings) BookPage: 5/5 Notable reader comments: "Perfect for fans of The School for Good and Evil who want more substance" - Goodreads reviewer "Too message-focused at the expense of story" - Amazon reviewer "Handles difficult topics with remarkable nuance" - KirkusReviews reader comment

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🏰 Though the book is set in a fantasy world, its themes of gender inequality and educational bias were inspired by real-world studies about how teachers unconsciously treat boys and girls differently in classroom settings. 📚 Author Anne Ursu worked as a writing teacher at Hamline University and drew from her experiences to craft authentic classroom dynamics in the story. ✨ The magical system in the book, where men are believed to be the only ones capable of performing magic, serves as a metaphor for historical barriers that prevented women from entering certain professions. 🎨 The cover art by Kathrin Honesta features hidden symbols and details that readers discover are significant as they progress through the story. 📖 The book received the Minnesota Book Award for Middle Grade Literature and was named to multiple "Best Books of 2021" lists, including those by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal.