Tato autorka je především známá svou rozsáhlou sérií o internátní škole, která představuje nejdelší sérii dívčích školních příběhů v historii. Její styl se vyznačuje živým vykreslením prostředí a důrazem na kamarádství a osobní rozvoj postav. Díla jsou ceněna pro svůj optimistický tón a schopnost vtáhnout čtenáře do světa svých hrdinek. Autorka často čerpala inspiraci z vlastních zkušeností a cest, což jejím příběhům dodává autenticitu a osobité kouzlo.
Joey and her friends from the Chalet School are on holiday. They discover to their surprise and pleasure someone their age living next door, the daughter of a famous cellist. She is crippled by arthritis and is being harassed by a spoilt girl of 19 who is determined to possess the Wychcote cello.
Having left school the term before, an unfortunate chain of events finds Joey, having returned to school for a visit, unable to return to her sister's home Die Rosen. Joey settles down to enjoy her extended visit, but finds her stay becoming longer as time goes on. Somewhat unwillingly to begin with, Jo is pressed into service as a stand-in mistress when one of the staff falls ill. However, Joey comes to terms with the situation and the girls are delighted to have their beloved Jo returned to them for a while. Joey manages to complete her first novel in her free time, after a false start when she is put straight by an unexpected critic, and nervously sends it to a publisher. She is also instrumental in obtaining a new girl, Polly Herriot, for the Chalet School after a chance encounter in the Post. Having never been to school before, Polly's education has been with very old-fashioned methods, and she requires intensive tuition to bring her education up to date. She has also obtained some very unusual ideas about the life of a schoolgirl, from the school stories, which she was so fond of, before she arrived at the Chalet School. This leads to some unfortunate incidents, before she settles into the role of a true Chalet School girl. The term has its low points when the girls' beloved headmistress is taken seriously ill, but finishes on a high note with the customary Christmas play.
Kath Arnold is troubled by the news from her sister Bess Carey in Madeira. Not only is Bess going to marry again, but her new husband has two daughters, Rosemary and Marigold Corbett, who are in desperate need of schooling after a series of ineffectual governesses. Bess believes that much the best thing for the two girls will be for them to be enrolled at Wynyards, the well-known day school where Bess's own daughter Lorna goes. In turn that means that Rosemary and Marigold will live at the Arnolds' house, just as Lorna does. Lorna is deeply upset. It is less than a year since her father died and she does not like the idea of acquiring two stepsisters who will live with her at all. But a year with the Arnolds has taught Lorna unselfishness and she prepares to make the best of things. Things might have gone smoothly, for Rosemary turns out to be friendly, and eager-to-please. But Marigold is a little wildcat. She cares little for her lessons, she is jealous of her sister's affection and she greatly resents Lorna's place at the heart of the household. Soon Marigold is at daggers drawn with everyone: her schoolmates, Lorna, Kath Arnold, even her beloved sister. But in one foolhardy act of disobedience Marigold brings upon herself a worse punishment than any of her elders could have devised for her, and eventually, she finds it within herself to control her temper and think of others. (from here.)
The Chalet School girls are exploring the Welsh island of St Briavel. They are presented with five boats, but Annis Lovell is unable to share the excitement. Feeling unwanted, she sets off alone on an adventure that nearly ends in disaster.
One of Elinor Brent-Dyer's most engaging school stories
Peggy Bettany is amazed to return to the Chalet School and find that she has been appointed Head Girl! Though she is determined to do well, things do not always go smoothly for Peggy. In spite of the gaiety of preparing for the Christmas concert, Peggy finds rebellion amidst the younger girls. What can be causing it? Peggy and her friends are horrified to learn that she has a real enemy in the school, someone who would be happy to see Peggy disgraced …”
Jo Scott has been sent to the Chalet School because it is too dangerous for her to stay in Kenya. The excitement of making new friends and preparing for the spectacular Flower Show are cut short by the news that Jo's parents have mysteriously disappeared from their farm.
This hardcover edition contains the complete original text of The Chalet School and the Lintons, which was broken into two volumes in the paperback editions, the first retaining the original title, the second named A Rebel at the Chalet School.
Audrey, Solange, Val, Celia and Winifred (usually called Win) are schoolgirls staying on the Platz to be near sick relatives. Bored, and trying to entertain themselves, they decide to build a Campfire. Unfortunately, they do it within the grounds of the Chalet School, and are scolded by Miss Dene. After this, and an encounter with Len Maynard, the group declares war on the Chalet School. Their tricks try the patience of staff and students alike. The girls play a variety of tricks on the Chalet School including blocking the path during a school walk, throwing stinkbombs at the prefects and spreading pepper on the food in the Speisesaal. Over time, the girls come into contact with pupils, ex-pupils and school events. This helps change their attitude towards the Chalet School. And when Win goes missing, it's the Chalet School that saves the day. Meanwhile, the Fifth Form sits GCE exams, and an ex-Chalet schoolgirl faces an uncertain future.
Janie of La Rochelle is No 6 in the La Rochelle series, connected to the Chalet School, and is mainly set in Guernsey. It tells the story of Janie Temple's marriage to Julian Lucy. For this edition of Janie of La Rochelle Helen Barber has written a short story, 'Loved and Lost', in which we meet Pauline Ozanne again.