Shouldn't You Be in School?

All the Wrong Questions #3

by Lemony Snicket, Seth (Illustrations)

Is Lemony Snicket a detective or a smoke detector?

Do you smell smoke? Young apprentice Lemony Snicket is investigating a case of arson but soon finds himself enveloped in the ever-increasing mystery that haunts the town of Stain'd-by-the-Sea. Who is setting the fires? What secrets are hidden in the Department of Education? Why are so many schoolchildren in danger? Is it all the work of the notorious villain Hangfire? How could you even ask that? What kind of education have you had?

Maybe you should be in school?

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Audiobook, Adventure

327 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2014

About the author

Lemony Snicket had an unusual education and a perplexing youth and now endures a despondent adulthood. His previous published works include the thirteen volumes in A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Composer is Dead, and 13 Words. His new series is All The Wrong Questions.

For A Series of Unfortunate Events:
www.lemonysnicket.com

For All The Wrong Questions:
www.lemonysnicketlibrary.com

Reviews

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you couldn't tell by my status updates, I loved this. Every book in this series is better than the last. And, as a bonus, in this one you get some answers! I know, LS actually answering questions is a shocking thought. But it happens. Pinky promise.

Bonus points for amazing illustrations.

Also, you should have seen my face when he mentions that Josephine stopped to visit him. JOSEPHINE? DO YOU THINK IT'S THE JOSEPHINE? I do not think that he would recycle a name like that; he is far too careful. Mind totally blown.

Reread: January 21 2016

"Terrible fires resemble terrible people. They are unpredictable. They are selfish. They are deadly and ruinous."


Pre-reading review:
Based on the title of this book, I have now decided that Lemony Snicket is home-schooled. Little old ladies probably harass him with this question too.

[✧ hayley (the sugar bowl) ✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

➳ 5 ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

╰┈➤ ”you cannot wait for an untroubled world to have an untroubled moment.”

i love this book so much. i seriously think this is one of my favorite series and i always have so much fun spending time with lemony snicket’s characters and mysteries

this series gets better and better and i love it so much, these characters are just so fun and the mystery element is so well done 🤭🎀

i’m too nostalgic. send help 💌


୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

More parodying of the hard-boiled detective genre, more book "tips" (always my favorite part) and more thoughtfulness, too; chosen to be read by me at a time similar to the below (from pp. 154-5):

The story of the book filled the car with exciting adventures of the sort that are fun to read about, so we didn't have to think about the exciting adventures of the sort that are no fun to live through.

Adding to the fun for me is that the "story" related in the car by the 13-year-old Snicket is a childhood favorite.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favourite Wrong Question so far. I'm now just hoping Snicket doesn't blow it on the dismount.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and penultimate book in the All the Wrong Questions series, the prequel series to A Series of Unfortunate Events. Gradually the crimes in the books have got more series from theft to kidnap and here to arson. The mysterious villain Hangfire is still up to no good and the young Lemony Snicket is on the case. But things aren't going well in the drab town of Stain'd-by-the-Sea and it looks like Snicket might fail this time.

This is "Lemony Snicket" at his very best. There's a great noir feeling and now that there is a full cast of characters the author can use them all to his advantage, creating a story full of twists and turns. In reality, the original arson has little to do with the plot, although quite what Hangfire's overall plan is beyond me. For me this had a stronger plot than the previous two books and manages to work well as an individual story and a part of the series.

As ever, I am completely enamored by Lemony Snicket's writing style, a phrase which here means I love the fun definitions, the witty remarks and the genuine wisdom hidden among it. I kind of want Snicket to re-write lots of famous works (including many classics mentioned in this book) so I can enjoy other great stories in his style. I prefer the way he writes to any other author ever.

This is tied into A Series of Unfortunate Events more than the other books. As well as a few subtle references there's a bit more about the mysterious V.F.D. organisation and we are finally told once and for all what those initials stand for- and it is so Lemony Snicket it hurts.

All in all, a really enjoyable read from a really enjoyable author. I am looking forward to the final book of the series and hope Lemony Snicket has lots of plans for future works.

[Suad Shamma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this part of the series! I read this on the go from the moment I received my copy, didn't matter if I was getting my hair done, my nails done, waiting at the doctor's office, or at work - this book was with me at all times until I had read it from cover to cover.

Lemony Snicket and Daniel Handler both do not disappoint, as usual. So many things start to make sense in this book, and a lot of questions are answered, albeit not the right ones. I loved this book because it had a more darker feel to it. Snicket seemed more serious (yes, that is possible), the tonality of the story had a more somber, grave feel to it. The town seemed even more grim than usual, and even Snicket had reached a point where he thought if it was worth fighting for anymore. It was very interesting for me to see an earnest, sober side to Theodora, who up until then was an unimportant figure for me. She breezed in and out of scenes and I could not take her seriously, she simply managed to add humor to an otherwise humorless book. Until now that is.

It shows the gravity of the situation to have Theodora tell Snicket to let things be and go home. The evil of Hangfire is reaching new depths with each new installment to the series, that you can't figure out who's who anymore? Who's good? Who's joined the dark side? Ellington is on top of that list...I can't figure her out. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something off about her. I liked the scene with her and Snicket, and a glimpse into what could've been a possible romance budding.

But I also really like Moxie, and enjoy her interactions with Snicket, and his seemingly unintentional disregard to her feelings.

We also get to learn more about the secret organization that Snicket is a part of, and a lot more about his sister. To those who have read A Series of Unfortunate Events, we also get to hear about a few characters that you might recognize from his previous series.

I can't wait to learn more about Beatrice though...if she even comes up.

One last book before the whole mystery is wrapped up. Cannot wait!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Series of Unfortunate Events has pride of place on my shelves. I loved that series more than anything except Harry Potter in my teens, and even then it was a close tie. There was nothing like the excitement of picking up the newest book and pouring obsessively through it for clues, discussing them online for hours, and disappearing into Lemony Snicket's strange but wonderful world. So when All the Wrong Questions - a prequel series of four books - was announced, I was delighted. And then Who Could That Be at This Hour? was released, and... I was a little less so. Same again with When Did You See Her Last?.

I was still very fond of those books - I mean, Lemony Snicket! As a child! Solving mysteries! How could I not love them? But they weren't ASOUE and I didn't really feel like part of the intended audience. The thing is, these books are still largely aimed at children, even though the original ASOUE audience are all grown up now, and the disconnect made me a bit sad. But with Shouldn't You Be in School? the magic finally clicked for me again. Back was the breathless page turning, the complete absorption in this world, the grinning like an idiot and wanting to hug the book to me - and above all the staying up until 1am, propping my eyes open with matchsticks because I just. had. to. finish. It's been a long time since I've done that with any book, and I love this one all the more for it.

A few reviews mention that Shouldn't You Be in School? feels largely like set-up for the next and final installment, and in many ways that's true, but it really really works for me. It feels like we're gearing towards something big and important and all these strange little plot elements that were just a bit odd on their own are finally coming together into something cohesive and wonderful. I can't wait for the next book, and I can't wait to dive back into re-reading ASOUE - an endeavour that fell by the wayside seven books in a couple of years ago, that I just have to resume now. Simply put, I just loved it.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's the lack of humour that differentates this series from A Series of Unfortunate Events.

[zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best one in ATWQ so far. It gets into VFD and touches on the schism a teensy bit. I loved the super obvious reference to ASOUE in Chapter 12 (dramatic irony ;) ) I was super triggered whenever Lemony literally explained what VFD stands for (it was just an inference until it was confirmed now), and what they do. I had to piece that together over a series of fifteen books, and then there it was. Guess he was more direct in explaining things in his youth. It was still really good though. I'm very tempted to reread ASOUE but I shouldn't I have too many books to read.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious as always, some great plot twists, book recommendations and summaries snuck in, an admonition to warn adults against smoking, and great breakfast recipes! Lemony Snicket is genius.

But the reason this gets 5 stars is because of the VFD. Lemony Snicket actually states what it stands for and gives a great speech about why it exists, why it will never be victorious but invincible nonetheless. The description between good and bad members of the VFD is also funny.

Aunt Josephine, from The Wide Window, shows up, and Olaf is mentioned (seemingly is a legitimate count, too) and we learn a little bit about Bertram, the father of the Baudelaire children. Super exciting!

[Krisette Spangler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm such a huge fan of Lemony Snicket. This new series is a lot of fun, and it's filled with the same wit that has made him famous. I also like reading about all of the delicious meals Jake cooks up in Hungry's Cafe. Here are a few of my favorite lines from the book:

" Behind a few shrubs was a large, abandoned wagon, longer than an automobile and wider, too. It looked like something a farmer might use, or people who traveled with all the books they owned, just in case they needed one of them."

"You should only snap your fingers if you do it well. It's the same with surgery, or driving a forklift."

"If you've never tasted buttermilk and you're curious what it tastes like, good for you and don't be."

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Snicket books are witty, funny and sarcastic, with each book in this series I feel so sorry for him. Lemony Snicket has to dive into more and more treachery to save Stain'd-by-the-Sea instead of trying to rescue his sister Kit from prison. Finally, S. Theodora Markson realises that she isn't a good chaperone nor a good volunteer, which was unexpected because adults almost never admit they are wrong in a Snicket book.

This was a great penultimate book in the series - just enough suspense and build-up, a few questions answered, but more questions asked. Is Ellington Feint a villain after all? Will Snicket save his sister? What does the S. stand for in Theodora Markson's name? Is Hangfire somehow connected to Count Olaf? Or these all the wrong questions?

[Sasha]

Listened to this as an audiobook and I think I prefer to read the hard copy of the book more for this series. Not much to say other than I just realized the grocery store called Partial Foods is a fantastic Whole Foods joke lol

[Zachariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn Lemony. Why aren't people talking about this amazing series?

[Moniek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the bravest and most resourceful people in the world have come to bad ends.

Shouldn't You Be in School? Nie powinieneś być w szkole?
Odradza się zadawania tego pytania osobie w wieku młodzieńczym, zagłębiającej się w Serię Niewłaściwych Pytań. Kto wie, być może takie spotkanie ze Snicketem nauczy dziecko więcej niż pojedynczy dzień w szkole? - zaleca nauczycielka.

Seria pożarów w najmniej oczekiwanych miejscach ogarnia miasteczko Stain'd-by-the-Sea, dzieci w wieku szkolnym znikają z ulic, a Hangfire nigdy nie był tak blisko.

"Are you saying that being a criminal is a matter of opinion?" I asked.
Qwerty smiled, but it was sad around the edges. "No," he said. "It's a matter of handcuffs," and then the police arrived.

Wspomniałam, że Lemony Snicket przybliża młodszym czytelnikom gatunki docenione wśród dorosłej publiczności; Shouldn't You Be in School? to powieść szpiegowska. Miasteczko Stain'd-by-the-Sea i akademia Wade ukazują się nam jako dym i lustra, postacie, na które wcześniej nie zwróciliśmy uwagi, wyciągają rękę do bohaterów i w i e d z ą. Gra prowadzona jest w niedopowiedzianych słowach i utraconych wartościach, w nadziei, fragmentach planów i nieodwracalnych katastrofach. Świat staje się brutalny.

Lemony i jego przyjaciele doświadczają horroru; narażają życie i zdrowie dla miasteczka i zwycięstwa nad Hangfire; doświadczają przemocy, która budzi w czytelniku grozę i sprzeciw, bo takie rzeczy nie powinny przydarzać się dzieciom. To chyba pierwszy raz, kiedy tak bardzo obawiamy się o bezpieczeństwo Snicketa, tego dzielnego, 13-letniego chłopca. Na naszych oczach przejmuje kontrolę i odpowiedzialność, godzi się z zagrożeniem i dorasta, choć za szybko. Pomimo lęku i groźby, wykazuje się odwagą, lojalnością i sprawiedliwością. To wspaniały wzór dla młodzieży, a reszta jego ferajny, bohaterowie tacy jak Moxie, Ellington czy nowo przybyły Kellar podążają jego śladem. Historia tych dzieci wzrusza.

My life felt heavy that night, with each year of my life like a weighty crate, so I had almost thirteen crates to carry around inside me, with each crate full of notebooks and each notebook full of secrets. It is hard to lug such a heavy load around with me and to keep everyone from seeing it. But some secrets are so strange and so dangerous that showing them to people makes the strangeness and the danger pour into their lives like dark, dark ink.

W Shouldn't You Be in School? Lemony wciąga nas na całego w świat organizacji V.F.D. We wspaniałej i poruszającej przemowie określa jej znaczenie i społeczność. To, co jest dla mnie wyjątkowe, to to, jak mało da się powiedzieć konkretów o tym stowarzyszeniu, a jednak dostajemy sugestię, jacy ludzie do niej należą i jak ważni są dla świata. Tak naprawdę wszystkie dobre dusze zaczytujące się w historię Snicketa mogą odnaleźć siebie w roli wolontariusza i wcielać ideały w prawdziwe życie, na własny unikatowy sposób. V.F.D. to walka z nikczemnością a odnajdywanie wartości w otaczającym nas świecie, za które warto jest walczyć. Handler nadaje arystokracji nowe znaczenie.

Our true home is the imagination, and our kingdom is the wide-open world.

Handler poczynia tu interesującą rzecz, ale do jej dostrzeżenia należy zapoznać się z Serią Niefortunnych Zdarzeń. Komentarz zostawiam jako spoiler. To, że stowarzyszenie nosi nazwę Volunteer Fire Department, Lemony już tutaj zapowiada rozłam organizacji, a w Serii Niefortunnych Zdarzeń to właśnie czlonkowie po dobrej stronie giną w pożarach... To bardzo ironiczny, znaczący i świetnie napisany wątek. Aż budzi zazdrość wobec autora, gdyż jednocześnie jest tak prosty.

Mamy poczucie ostateczności, wysokie stawki oraz spektakularnie rozwijający się świat według Lemony'ego. Znów zachwyca mnie to, jak poważnie autor traktuje te dziecięcą postać i wkłada w jej umysł dojrzałe refleksje. To wszystko jest dla dzieci rzeczywiste.

Powoli zbliżamy się do odpowiedzi na ostatnie niewłaściwe pytanie: dlaczego ta noc różni się od wszystkich innych nocy? Nie mogę się doczekać.

If there's a book you wanted to finish, I'd do it soon, if I were you.

[Daphne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-Read: August 2024
So, I think Lemony Snicket may be depressed...

- I love all the little clues throughout the book that set up what happens in the next book
- The last scene is my favorite!
- Theodora is a really interesting character. I want to know more about her, but I think she's more interested because things are just implied rather than outright explained to the reader
- This is definitely my favorite book in the series

Re-read: January 2020
This series is so depressing. It’s honestly kind of weird that this book/series is marketed towards middle grade readers considering how sad and demoralizing it is. All of Lemony Snicket’s books have a sad tone, but this one was a cut above the rest. It’s not just that sad things happen in the story, but the actual thoughts and worldviews presented in the book are sad. Even when happy things are going on, Lemony just focuses on how sad he is (and how sad he always has been).

Despite the depressing tone (or perhaps because of it) this is definitely my favorite in the series. We got learn a lot more about Hangfire, Ellington, and VFD! I also noticed some clues that I missed on previous re-reads of the series which was nice. Even though I knew I loved this book, I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. Fingers crossed that I enjoy the next book just as much.

Re-read: September 2018
I think this is my favorite book in the entire series. I can't think of a single thing wrong with it. (Not that I can think of anything wrong with the other books in the series - this one is just a little better.) I can never properly write about books that I love, so I'm just gonna leave some jot notes of my thoughts.

- My favorite scene was definitely the scene with Lemony and Ellington in the hayride. Lemony definitely knows how to kill the mood!
- I really like Kellar. I can't imagine what he's going through.
- I don't actually believe that the Bellerophon brother's father is sick. I 100% think that he's abandoned them.
- Hangfire is truly a proper villain. I honestly believe that he would have no qualms in killing Lemony even though Lemony is a child.
- Theodora is a much more interesting character than I initially thought she was. She seemed kind of broken in this book. She seems tired and beaten down by life. I still think she's completely incompetent, but I also feel some sympathy for her.
- It was interesting to see that there were some regular kids in the town who just go to school. It's not often that you see that in a Snicket novel.
- The loved the last scene. It made me so hyped for the next book!

Original Review
Lemony Snicket finally gives us some answers in this book. He talks a bit about VFD, eye tattoos, and mentions people like Olaf and Josephine!!! Each book in this series keeps on getting better <3

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

There you are, Mr. Snicket, my love. I've been kind of generally underwhelmed (though not unimpressed...I still like them) by the new Lemony Snicket series. The first one had the novelty of the new world and the new tone, and the second one was just kind of meh...but this one. Oh...this one. This is why I love Lemony Snicket.

I think maybe it helped that I listened to the audio book. Klaus (from the A Series of Unfortunate Events movie) narrates it, and he's good. I think maybe I didn't understand what the tone of these books was in my brain until I heard him read them out loud. I kinda wish I had listened to the other two. The dark, hard-boiled detective fiction tone really comes across in his narration, and this book just CLICKED with me.

I love that it felt like we were going back to the Lemony Snicket roots with the school plot-line, and I like that we actually got some ANSWERS in this one. I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of the series now.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only drawback of this novel is that it is very much a middle installment. While the adventure itself is self-contained (mystery of the fires / eventual resolution), there is the never-more-apparent sense that big things are coming and the next & final installment of the quartet will bring them to pass. But Snicket doesn't give up on allowing quiet moments here and there, thinking about the greater (and stranger) mysteries of the world he's created. The images of Stain'd-by-the-Sea have never been clearer and while there's certainly a fair amount of affect to the characters, they're all living and breathing people. There is a quality of craft here that belies the series' spot on store shelves; adults will be just as entertained as their children.

More at RB: http://wp.me/pGVzJ-11b

[Lea Sprenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

You shouldn't pay too much attention to this review because I'm definitely biased.

I just love Lemony Snicket's style. His weirdness, and wordplays, and all the universe that he's built around the Series of Unfortunate Events. What can I say? I just really loved his work when I was little, and I'm not going to stop loving it now. Besides, Seth's illustrations are gorgeous. It really captures the atmosphere of the books.

The only thing that bothers me a little is all the unanswered questions that've been piling up since the first book, and the fact that I'll have to wait TWO MORE WEEKS until the fourth book arrives at my house.

[Bax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zilch meant nothing. I was disappointed but not surprised.

Lemony is more witty with his comments in this one and I'm loving it. Of course, they kept asking all the wrong questions, and a few more unanswered questions, but it's a very fun read. I have to read the final book soon (even though I think it wouldn't exactly give me satisfying answers to all my questions)

[We Are All Mad Here · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other reviewers have said they've found answers in this book but if you ask me, there are very few. There are lots of clever sentences though, and plenty of humor amid the darkness, and most importantly, much respect for books and libraries.

Still. I hope the final book in this series gets a little less ridiculous, a lot less focused on honeydews, and quite a bit more clear.

[دانیال بهزادی · Rating 4 out of 5]

‫این مجموعه خیلی بد شروع شد،‌ولی خیلی خوب داره با پیشرفت داستان، پیشرفت می‌کنه و جلو می‌آد. توی این کتاب بالاخره متوجّه می‌شیم که حدسمون در مورد اون سازمان مخفی درست بود و وضعیت، همون چیزیه که دوست داشتیم باشه، اثر یکی دو تا شخصیت دیگه هم گذرا و نامحسوس، توی این کتاب وجود داره. همه‌چیز به گونه‌ای پیش می‌ره که بی‌صبرانه منتظرم کتاب چهارم مجموعه رو بگیرم و بخونم. البته لمونی اسنیکت همچنان در جاهای ممکن قضیه، بی‌شعوری ذاتیش رو به رخ خواننده می‌کشه ((:
‫اگه بخوام بیش‌تر از این بنویسم، احتمالاً داستان رو لو خواهم داد و اصلاً دوست ندارم این اتّفاق بیفته.

[Laura Coll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una tercera parte que no tiene nada que envidiar a la primera. Un libro juvenil muy entretenido e interesante, que sabe manejar muy bien la intriga y que cuenta con un protagonista muy peculiar y amante de los libros. La narración es muy ligera y cuenta con un montón de juegos de palabras. Es verdad que no se resuelve casi ninguna incógnita, pero también es verdad que genera muchas expectativas para el siguiente.

Reseña completa: https://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot...

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, I think it's the best in the series so far. It seems to be the most interesting in terms of plot and has the most stylishly intriguing writing. As much as I like the book series as it is, I can't help wishing there was an adult version somewhere. The fact the MC is 13 does provide a lot of comedic relief and keeps the plots lighter so I'm happy with it just the way it is. But I'm gonna ask Santa for a Lemony Snicket to make adult version of this series.

[Magen - Inquiring Professional Dog Trainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favourite of the series so far! Lots of characters, lots of action, and progression on the story overall. Good fun ! Really enjoying buddy reading this series with Izzy!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book so far especially now that everything is starting to slot into place (along with some more questions!)

[Dani Dányi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot thickens.
But no time to go into details at this point.
On to the next Wrong Questions!

[Audrey Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

AUDREY'S ONE-SENTENCE BOOK REVIEWS

when a middle-grade mystery novel is a better romance than any romance you've ever read

[مسیح بی شفا · Rating 4 out of 5]

یادی از گذشته، خنده‌ها و اشک‌ها. شنیدن و خواندن نام‌های آشنا و عطش برای دیدن آشنایان بیش‌تر.
برای جلد آخر، مفصل خواهم نوشت.