Stories about people being plagued with lightning fascinate me. This was a fun story about a kid named Newton Starker whose family seems to be cursed with lightning. On Newton's mother's side of the family, everyone except his mean grandmother has been killed by lightning. This means Newton is always taking precautions by staying indoors and checking the weather, and checking the weather again.One a particularly unpleasant trip to visit his grandmother once, Newton's family discovers Jerry Potts Academy for Survival, a boarding school whose entire campus is made of safe, sturdy stone. Newton immediately this safehouse is the school he wants to attend. After his mother's passing, he begins school at this strange new place, where all the classes have an added focus on survival, in addition to the fact that they wear kilts and eat haggis.
Newton has always been homeschooled, and so is excited for the chance to learn how to survive, learn more about cooking, make some friends and shine as #1 in the class. On his first day there he does make a friend, Jacob, but also makes an enemy in Violet, who embarasses Newton by knocking off his kilt in front of everyone.
I have to admit I wasn't sure I liked Newton in the beginning, though I was intrigued by his circumstances. He has a high opinion of himself and feels destined for glory, as long as he can keep from being struck by lightning. But as the story moves on, I liked Newton more and more. He develops his friendships with Jacob and Violet, and acquires a truffle finding pig named Josephine. Through some trials in the end, Newton learns some things and comes out of it all a better person.
It was a light, quick read, and I recommend for anyone looking for a nice little jolt.
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