Shouldn't You Be in School?
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Books |
Shouldn't You Be in School? represents the third installment in Lemony Snicket's All the Wrong Questions collection, following apprentice Snicket's pursuit of the antagonist Hangfire within the town of Stain'd-by-the-Sea. Released on September 30, 2014, by Little, Brown and Company, the volume features artwork by Seth.
Plot
Apprentice Lemony Snicket partners with S. Theodora Markson to probe a series of arson attacks. Sharon Haines, affiliated with the Department of Education, notifies Snicket about the blaze and forms a friendship with Theodora. Sharon’s son, Keller, exhibits questionable behavior. Meanwhile, another fire destroys a witness’s residence. Following accusations from Theodora and Sharon, Dashiell Qwerty—the local librarian—is detained for the incidents, although Snicket remains skeptical about his culpability.
After Stain'd Secondary School is set aflame, students are relocated to Wade Academy. Agents from the Department of Truancy escort Snicket’s companions—Jake Hix, Cleo Knight, Moxie Mallahan—and Keller to the boarding institution; Snicket himself is left behind. These agents reveal their true identities as Sharon and Hangfire by destroying Moxie’s typewriter.
Upon returning to the Lost Arms hotel, Lemony finds Theodora severely injured; she claims Sharon was responsible for the attack. Lemony then discovers Pip and Squeak hiding from Truancy officers. While exploring the school premises, he is rendered unconscious by Stew Mitchum but awakens in Ellington Feint’s room—she rescued him and is masquerading as a student named Filene N. Gottlin (an anagram of her own name).
Lemony joins Ellington, Moxie, Jake, Cleo, Keller, and Ornette Lost in the school library where all books are mysteriously blank. Keller confesses that he and Sharon collaborated with Hangfire to protect his sister Lizzie. Together with his friends, Snicket formulates a strategy to thwart Hangfire’s plans. Before this can unfold, Stew Mitchum and Hangfire intimidate Lemony and physically assault him.
Hangfire attempts to deceive Snicket into believing Dicey’s Department Store is the intended target for arson; however, Snicket deduces that the actual objective is the library. He removes the books ahead of Hangfire’s attempt to ignite it; ultimately, the sprinklers prevent significant damage to the building. Stew confronts Lemony and Ellington at the library; Ellington is taken into custody for damaging books. To preserve knowledge, Lemony swaps original books with blank copies found at school and hides the authentic volumes at Black Cat Coffee. A younger Josephine Anwhistle discusses with Lemony the arrest of his sister Kit Snicket.
Reception
Ryan Britt provided a favorable critique of the novel, observing that Snicket appears "somewhat more perilous and darker" compared to earlier narratives. Britt characterized it as "a beautiful tune with sad words" and "endearing," emphasizing its philosophical depth.
Kirkus Reviews described the book as a "clever, subtly humorous noir thriller" abundant with literary references and playful language.
External links
- All the Wrong Questions official website