The School Run by Ali Lowe – 2/20 Books of Summer

Someone from my school story enthusiasts group recommended this book about three mothers eager to get their 12-year-old sons into a prestigious secondary school in Australia and I knew it would be a fun read for my sister, who works in admissions at the Catholic school I attended.

After her husband Paul died, Kaya moved to the exclusive community of Pacific Pines with her son Ollie. Paul had attended the prestigious Catholic school there, St. Ignatius, and wants Ollie to have the same opportunity. But Kaya’s new and very officious neighbor, Estella, intent on getting her twins admitted, sees Ollie as competition and is dismissive about his chances, especially when she hears Kaya is an atheist. Kaya promptly enrolls Ollie in religious instruction so he can be baptized. Another new acquaintance, Bec Lloyd, an outstanding baker, pulls an all-nighter to create a stupendous cake that replicates the St. Ignatius chapel, which she is sure will be the “something extra” Estella thinks necessary to get her son Cooper accepted. The headmistress seems contemptuous of these efforts but that only makes these mothers more determined to do whatever it takes to get their sons admitted (the two fathers certainly seem aware of what’s going on but regard their wives’ antics with amused tolerance).

“It’s good to meet you, Kaya. Are you enjoying The Hunger Games?” He nods to the field.

“It is a bit like that, isn’t it?” Kaya laughs. “It’s such an unusual set-up. I mean, I’ve never heard of a school doing a Gala Day to select kids before.”

“I know,” says Bec. “It is bizarre when you think about it. But the private schools can do what they want. If they wanted us to fight it out with an egg and spoon race, they could.”

This is an entertaining book that is sometimes predictable but includes some very unexpected twists. One of the central events, the St. Ignatius “Gala Day” in which the twelve year old applicants compete at sports as well as being interviewed is unlike any admissions policy I’ve ever heard of, yet it is certainly true that many schools actively recruit strong athletes of that age. Of course, they want strong students as well, and most want musicians, artists, debaters, etc.

There are a few too many coincidences and a few holes in the plot (and complete implausibilities: no one in this century could wake up from a coma speaking Latin; that is not how it is taught) but I enjoyed this despite its flaws and would read more by this author – although, as you know, I could live without books set in the present tense. One of the things I liked best was that most of the characters were not totally good or bad, as was revealed when their secrets started coming out. There were so many secrets I could barely keep track! I was reminded of fireworks: when you think they are are over, there are several more bursts . . . .

This is the second of my 20 Books of Summer and it is also my fifteenth book for the Cloak and Dagger Challenge.

Title: The School Run
Author: Ali Lowe
Publication: Hodder & Stoughton, paperback, 2024
Genre: Suspense
Source: Purchased in London

Happy Birthday, Sissy!