"School of Fear" by Gitty Daneshvari

339 pages

Madeleine is deathly afraid of insects. Theodore is terrified of dying and his loved ones getting hurt. Lulu is extremely claustrophobic. Garrison is petrified of water. Each of these preteens lives in a different part of the world, but they all have one thing in common: their fears are taking over their lives. In desperation, their parents send them to the super-secret School of Fear, run by the eccentric Mrs. Wellington. When the kids arrive, they realize that her unconventional teaching methods will either drive them crazy--or, just maybe, work. If they can survive, that is.

Although the plot is predictable, I still loved this book. The characters, despite their various neuroses, are charming and made me laugh. I like that there several different types of people represented among the kids--a shy bookworm, a jock, a popular kid, and a nerdy one--because everyone is afraid of something. I think this is a story that kids and adults alike will be able to relate to.