Poppy Pym and the Beastly Blizzard

Poppy Pym returns to St Smithen's for a new term, but the school is plagued by mysterious accidents involving a runaway van and a possible 'beast' on the grounds. As a blizzard traps the students inside, Poppy and her friends must use their unique skills to unmask a spy. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book is secular and lighthearted. It touches on Poppy's unique upbringing (being left on a doorstep and raised by a circus), which is handled as a source of strength rather than trauma. The resolution is hopeful and reinforces the value of found family. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story maintains a steady, energetic pace. It begins with high-spirited curiosity, moves into a sense of mounting atmospheric tension due to the snow and 'beast' sightings, and ends in a triumphant, warm celebration of friendship. IDEAL READER: An 8 to 10 year old who feels like a 'fish out of water' or any child who loves the aesthetic of Harry Potter but wants a faster-paced, contemporary mystery without the dark magic. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'I don't fit in at school,' or 'The other kids think my family is weird.' PARENT PREP: This can be read cold. It is a very safe, middle-grade mystery with no major red flags. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the slapstick humor and the excitement of the circus tricks, while older readers (11-12) will appreciate the structural mystery beats and the nuance of Poppy's 'outsider' identity. DIFFERENTIATOR: The circus background adds a whimsical, visual flair that distinguishes it from standard boarding school tropes.