Jolly hockey sticks! Tales of school times.

I adored the Malory Towers and St Clare's books by Enid Blyton as a child and I always bemoaned the fact that there were only 7 of each!  A couple of years ago, I delighted in discovering that someone had written some sequels and prequels but then that was it!

When I was younger, in my local library, when I searched for Sweet Valley High books, I always used to see books called 'Trebizon'- has anyone read them?  Do you recommend them? I regret not giving them a try then as there seemed to be lots of them!

Finally, the first Christmas that CBC and I had been going out, he bought me a Vivien of Holloway voucher for Christmas and put it inside one of those book cards from Foyle's that looks like an old hardback book entitled 'The jolliest term on record' by Angela Brazil!  For a couple of years, we were both longing to read that book and finally found a copy when we went to Hay-on-Wye last year! I read and enjoyed it!   I also picked up another Angela Brazil book, named below but only just read it!

|Finally, I found a couple of Chalet school books in a charity shop (some already read and reviewed!).

I am very happy to discover that both authors wrote a myriad of other titles, so what delights I have in store if I ever find any of them!
So, what did I think of these?
Images from www.amazon.co.uk- if you want to read the books, just click on them!


1. Angela Brazil For the sake of the school
This story had the familiar school-story formula of: rough diamond girl turns up and is gradually assimilated to the ways of the school! Even though it is stereotypical, I still love it though!  You always like to think someone can change!  The school sounds a lovely place which I'd love to be a member of, and it has all the key characters such as kind, honest prefect-type who helps out (in this case, Una Stanton) and total class-snob (Stephanie).  It's set in Wales and includes lots of fine description.  If you loved the Chalet school books or St Clares or Malory Towers, then I'd recommend the Angela Brazil series!


2.  Elinor M Brent-Dyer Mary-Lou of the Chalet school
The 4th Chalet school book I have read, this one was just as fun as the previous ones.  Likewise this series, Enid Blyton lovers will get on with it!  A lot more excitement happens in this book, as usual, a rebel member of school is reformed by the end. The description of the setting is beautiful as useful with lots of activities and old familiar characters mentioned!  I think that's what I like best.  I am a real one for nostalgia and things not changing so I do like the constant references to past pupils.  A great, fun book which I would have great pleasure in recommending!


3.  Noel Streatfield Apple Bough

I was first bought this book aged 8ish and I adored it then.  Of course, it has been lost or given away in the mists of time so I was quite sad, given my recent Noel Streatfield interest, not to be able to find it so of course a happy charity shop discovery was made!  This story tells the story of a family who have to leave their beloved home, Apple Bough, because of the eldest son, Sebastian's genius at violin playing.  The child prodigy travels the world for 4 years and all the time, longing for home.  Finally, Myra, the eldest, and seemingly the only one without a talent, conceives a plan called 'Operation Home' to ensude that they can stay in England.  Like all Streatfield books, it has the showbiz world firmly embedded in it and you gain an idea of how the music, dance and acting industry was for children in the era the book was written.  The Madame Fidolia dance school is a part of the story, as with many of her books (Mentioned first in Ballet shoes).  I think I like this book so much because of the message of needing a place to call home.  I love the sense of the family wanting to be together but being realistic at realising that they still love each other, regardless.  And most importantly, the message of the parable of the talents- finding what your talent is and nurturing, appreciating and using it, like Myra in the story, who seemingly has no particular talent.  Streatfield's books will continue a good sense of working for what you really want, a message that would do any young person good these days and I still find them to be very relevant!


Do you know of any books of these sorts that I might not have read?  Leave me a comment with a title and an author if you are so willing?  I'd love to discover more!

Oh, and here, by the way, are my questions for the Liebster award.  Thanks, Val Sparkle, for reminding me!!!

1. What would you find hardest to give up for Lent, if you had to give something up.  Why would you find it so hard?

2. What's the most controversial thing you have ever eaten?

3. What was your favourite book and TV programme as a child?  Why?

4.  If you could have a dress made for you by the most skillful dressmaker around, what would it be like?

5.  Which animal are you most like and why?

6.  Which invention are you most appreciative of in this century?

7.  Tell me about a new blog you have recently discovered that you are really fond of!

8.  Is there anything you can't do, that most other people can do?

9.  Conversely, is there something you can do, that most people can't?

10.  Which blog post are you most proud of or pleased with in the past? I'd like to have a look!

11.  How did you first discover blogging?


I'm going to be taking part in Floss's A pause for advent and I am going to try to have a fast from negative comments and moaning particularly  about school so instead of saying what I was going to say about children's behaviour today, I will say- it's really hard on the children, being in, without playtime and time outside, which they have been for 2 days- it then makes them irritable and highly chatty.  It's good to try and understand their perspective, even though at the time, they are infuriating!!!


xx