THE CASTLE SCHOOL (FOR TROUBLED GIRLS)

High school senior Moira Dreyfuss is sent to a remote boarding school known as the Castle.

After the death of her best friend, Moira’s dismal school attendance and late-night graveside visits coupled with a new tattoo push her worried Jewish parents over the edge. Moira is banished to the Castle, a school for troubled girls where psychiatrist Dr. Prince believes removing young people from their current environments will help them confront their problems. A day at the Castle for the 12 girls in attendance begins with breakfast and group therapy followed by low-effort classes and individual therapy. Moira isn’t happy about being sent away and knows she’s disappointed her parents, but she also senses that the Castle is not what it seems. When she notices her window’s broken padlock, she and her roommate, Eleanor, begin to sneak out and unravel the secrets of the institution and its leader, the enigmatic Dr. Prince. Moira’s character growth unfolds gradually and is satisfying to read; her fellow classmates prove that they’re far more than their diagnoses. Told with an air of mystery and populated with raw, struggling girls, this novel encapsulates themes such as grief, mental illness, addiction, and the value of friendship in times of suffering. It offers a haunting portrayal of the real mental, physical, and emotional challenges that adolescents struggle with. Characters are diverse in ethnicity, family background, and sexuality.

Mental health awareness wrapped in a captivating storyline.