Miss Ellicott's School for the Magically Minded by Sage Blackwood

Chantel attends Miss Ellicott's School, a school where the girls all learn deportment (good manners) and magic.  She really likes the magic lessons, but the manners classes aren't much fun.  She is told that she is the chosen one because of the manner of the school finding her on their steps as a baby.  Of course, she also finds out that her friend was told the same thing.

What makes Chantel truly different from the other girls at Miss Ellicott's School for the Magically Minded (Lexile: 660; Interest Level: Grades 3-6) is the snake that she has as a familiar.  None of the other girls have a familiar, but the snake has been with her for a very long time.

One day, Miss Ellicott disappears, along with all of the other sorceresses in the city.  As Chantel sets out to find out what happened to them, she discovers just how little the leaders of her city think of girls and how little she really knows about the area surrounding the city.  As she runs for her life, she discovers a boy who wields a crossbow, a long-dead queen, a dragon, and a strength inside her that she didn't know she had.  But, will it be enough to save her city from the people who rule it?

Readers who enjoy fantasy, especially magic school fantasy, are sure to enjoy this story.  When I finished, I found myself wishing for a sequel! (361 p.)

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