I Disguised as a Boy to Get Into an All-Boys’ School

Summary

Reese grows up under the control of her paranoid, overprotective mother, who treats her twin brother Ray as fragile and criticizes Reese for being strong, tall, and clever. Reese is also unusually good with electronics, so when she spots a scholarship at an elite all-boys’ school, she takes Ray’s papers and disguises herself as him, hoping to earn money and finally escape home.

At school, Reese is immediately noticed by Bruce No Truce, the arrogant owner’s son, who announces that he hates “geniuses and rats.” Reese’s quick-witted correction of his numbered list earns her a rough welcome; only their charming, bookish roommate Adam steps in to stop Bruce.

Reese’s new life brings plenty of close calls: sharing a room and bathroom with Adam, changing in the locker room at lightning speed, and trying to keep her identity secret. A spider on her head, unfortunately, is one problem she can’t outrun.

Bruce’s girlfriend Jessica adds to the chaos. She flirts with Reese, spies on her in the bathroom, and even kisses her, giving Reese an unwanted first kiss. Later, when Bruce’s bullying causes Reese to accidentally punch Jessica during an exam, Jessica blames Bruce and dramatically declares that Reese could never hurt her on purpose.

As Reese and Adam grow closer, Adam confides that he feels second-best to Bruce, his wealthy half-brother. Bruce is holding a damaging secret over him: Adam stole exam answers from the principal’s office, and Bruce helped cover it up. Before an important electronics competition, Bruce threatens to expose him. Reese knocks Bruce down, then she and Adam tie him and Jessica up and race to the event.

The competition brings the biggest close call: Adam’s clothes-folding robot malfunctions and rips Reese’s shirt off. Adam shields her with a towel—and calls her “Reese,” revealing that he has figured out who she is. He says he’s known for a while and wants to protect her.

Reese wins first place, but before she can celebrate, her mother arrives and publicly identifies her as Reese, while Ray stands beside her wrapped up as though the outside world might hurt him. Reese runs from the stage; the judges revoke her prize, and Adam is disqualified after Bruce exposes the stolen-exam secret.

A few weeks later, Adam visits Reese. He has told his father the truth, and Bruce has been sent to disciplinary school. Adam is now seen as the “good son,” though he admits he wishes he’d spoken up sooner. Reese picks up the phone and says she wants to report her mother, suggesting she’s finally ready to seek help and break away from the life that trapped her.

Personalities

• Reese: Strong, intelligent, mechanically gifted, and determined; disguises herself as Ray to escape her mother’s control.
• Ray: Reese’s frail, sheltered twin, whom their mother treats as helpless.
• Adam: Kind, studious, and hardworking; Reese’s roommate and eventual confidant.
• Bruce No Truce: Aggressive, entitled school owner’s son who bullies Reese and manipulates Adam.
• Jessica: Bruce’s dramatic, flirtatious girlfriend, whose antics repeatedly complicate Reese’s cover.
• Reese and Ray’s mother: Controlling and deeply paranoid, keeping her children isolated.