The School for Good Mothers

The School for Good Mothers is a dystopian science-fiction novel by Jessamine Chan, published in 2022. The novel explores the American institution of motherhood and the impossibility of being a “good” mother. After one parenting mistake, Frida loses custody of her daughter and is sent to a new program being launched by Child Protective Services (CPS): a school for “bad mothers” where they can supposedly learn to be “good” and regain custody of their children.

This guide is based on the 2023 Marysue Rucci Books/Scribner paperback edition.

Content Warning: The School for Good Mothers includes references to death by suicide, depression, racism, xenophobia, pedophilia, and extreme stereotypes about women and motherhood. There is also a brief mention of miscarriage.

Plot Summary

Frida receives a call from the police, who have her toddler daughter, Harriet. After experiencing depression, insomnia, and heartbreak over her ex-husband, Gust, divorcing her for another woman, Susanna, Frida left Harriet alone for two hours while she got coffee and retrieved a file from work. Frida’s neighbor heard crying and called the authorities, who explain that Harriet will be going home with Gust and that Frida might lose custody.