IT was precisely five minutes past eleven on the first day of the autumn term, and Avondale College, which for seven whole weeks had been lonely and deserted, and given over to the tender mercies ofpaperhangers, painters, and charwomen, once more presented its wonted aspect of life and bustle.The reopening was a very important event in the opinion of everybody concerned, partly because itmarked the beginning of a fresh school year, and partly because the building had been altered andenlarged, many changes made in the curriculum, and many new names added to the already long listin the register. Three hundred and eighty-seven pupils had assembled that morning in the greatlecture hall, the largest number on record at the College; five additional classes had been formed, and there were six extra mistresses. At the eleven o'clock interval the place seemed swarming withgirls; they thronged the staircase and passages, filled the pantry, blocked the dressing-rooms, andoverflowed into the playground and the gymnasium-girls of all sorts and descriptions, from theten-year-olds who had just come up (rather solemn and overawed) from the Preparatory to thoseelect and superior damsels of seventeen who were studying for their Matriculation.By the empty stove in the Juniors' Common Room stood half a dozen "betwixt-and-betweens", whose average age probably worked out at fourteen and a quarter, though Mavie Morris was agiantess compared with little Ruth Harmon. The six heads were bent together in closest proximity, and the six tongues were particularly active, for after the long summer holidays there was such a vastamount to talk about that it seemed almost impossible to discuss all the interesting items of newswith sufficient rapidity."The old Coll. looks no end," said Grace Russell. "It's so smart and spanky now-one hardlyknows it! Pictures in the classrooms, flowers on the chimneypieces, a stained glass window in thelecture hall, busts on brackets all along the corridor wall, and the studio floor polished! Every singleplace has been done up from top to bottom.""I'd like it better if it didn't smell so abominably of new paint," objected Noëlle Kennedy. "WhenI opened the studio door, the varnish stuck to my fingers. However, the school certainly looks muchnicer. Why, even the book cupboard has been repapered.""That's because you splashed ink on the wall last term. Don't you remember how fearfully crossMiss Hardy was about it?""Rather! She insisted that I'd done it on purpose, and couldn't and wouldn't believe it was anaccident. Well, thank goodness we've done with her! I'm glad teachers don't move up with theirforms.

"A Pair of Schoolgirls" by Angela Brazil is a captivating children's literature work that delves into the enchanting world of a British boarding school during the Victorian era. As a celebrated British author, Brazil expertly crafts a narrative filled with schoolgirl adventures, friendship tales, and academic challenges. Set within the educational settings of a boarding school, the novel follows two girl protagonists through the trials and triumphs of adolescent experiences. Brazil skillfully navigates the complexities of school life, portraying the girls' coming-of-age narrative with authenticity and depth. Readers are transported into the midst of schoolgirl adventures and classroom drama, where friendships are forged and academic challenges are overcome. Through Brazil's vivid storytelling, the novel explores the enduring bonds of school friendships and the transformative power of education in shaping young minds. With its rich portrayal of educational settings and relatable characters, "A Pair of Schoolgirls" resonates with readers of all ages. Brazil's exploration of friendship, loyalty, and personal growth offers readers a poignant glimpse into the universal themes of adolescence, making this novel a timeless classic in children's literature.

A classic fictional tale of life at an English “all girls” school, Angela Brazil's “The Youngest Girl in the Fifth” follows the travails and triumphs of Gwen, the youngest girl in her year at a traditional boarding school. Charming and entertaining, it is highly recommended for young girls and those with an interest in early schoolgirls' stories. Angela Brazil (1868 – 1947) was an English author most famous for being one of the first writers of "modern schoolgirls' stories". Her stories were presented from the characters' point of view and were written primarily as entertainment rather than moral instruction. During the first half of the 20th century, Brazil published nearly 50 such books, with the vast majority being set in English boarding schools. Brazil's work had a significant influence on changing the nature of fiction for girls. Her charters were chiefly young females, active, independent, and aware. Brazil's books were often considered to be immoral and deviant, leading to their being burned or banned by many Headteachers in girls schools across Britain. Other notable works by this author include: “The School in the Forest” (1944), “Three Terms at Uplands” (1945), “The School on the Loch” (1946). Contents include: “The Gascoyne Girls”, “A False Step”, “A Delicate Transaction”, “Trouble in the Fifth”, “A Casting Vote”, “Dick Chambers”, “Gwen Receives a Letter”, “Keeping Christmas”, “A Prodigal”, “A Prize Essay”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new biography of the author.

Rona from New Zealand has difficulty adjusting to traditional British school life at The Woodlands in Wales. Schoolgirl story told in typical Brazil style.

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF THE YEAR When Peggy Orenstein's now-classic examination of young girls and self-esteem was first published, it set off a groundswell that continues to this day. Inspired by an American Association of University Women survey that showed a steep decline in confidence as girls reach adolescence, Orenstein set out to explore the obstacles girls face--in school, in the hoime, and in our culture. For this intimate, girls' eye view of the world, Orenstein spent months observing and interviewing eighth-graders from two ethnically disparate communities, seeking to discover what was causing girls to fall into traditional patterns of self-censorship and self-doubt. By taking us into the lives of real young women who are struggling with eating disorders, sexual harrassment, and declining academic achievement, Orenstein brings the disturbing statistics to life with the skill and flair of an experienced journalist. Uncovering the adolescent roots of issues that remain important to American women throughout their lives, this groundbreaking book challenges us to change the way we raise and educate girls.

"The New Girl at St. Chad's" by Angela Brazil is a classic girls' school story set in an English boarding school. The novel follows the adventures and experiences of the new girl, Jean Langton, as she joins St. Chad's and becomes part of a close-knit group of friends. When Jean arrives at St. Chad's, she is initially apprehensive but quickly finds herself embraced by her fellow students. She forms deep friendships with her roommates and becomes involved in the various aspects of school life, including classes, sports, and extracurricular activities. The story explores the ups and downs of school life, including academic challenges, rivalries, and the joys of friendship. Jean's character undergoes personal growth as she learns to navigate the complexities of school dynamics and develops her own interests and talents. Throughout the novel, Angela Brazil captures the essence of camaraderie and the importance of loyalty and support among school friends. The characters' adventures and escapades add humor and excitement to the story, making it an engaging read for young audiences. "The New Girl at St. Chad's" is a charming and relatable tale of school life, friendship, and personal development. It is a part of the genre of girls' school stories that were popular in the early 20th century and continues to be enjoyed by readers looking for nostalgic and heartwarming tales of schoolgirl adventures.

1986. Ghana's prestigious Aburi Girls Boarding School. Queen Bee Paulina and her crew excitedly await the arrival of the Miss Ghana pageant recruiter. It's clear that Paulina is in top position to take the title until her place is threatened by Ericka – a beautiful and talented new transfer student. As the friendship group's status quo is upended, who will be chosen for Miss Ghana and at what cost? Bursting with hilarity and joy, this award-winning comedy explores the universal similarities (and glaring differences) facing teenage girls around the world. This edition is published to coincide with the UK premiere at the Lyric Theatre, Hampstead, in June 2023.

It is 1939. When Lyla is evacuated from her home in London to her great-aunt’s enormous house in the West Country, she expects to be lonely. She has never been to school nor had any friends, and her parents have been at the centre of a scandal. But with the house being used to accommodate an entire school of evacuated schoolgirls, there's no time to think about her old life. Soon there is a horse in a first-floor bedroom and a ferret in Lyla’s sock drawer, hordes of schoolgirls have overrun the house, and Lyla finds out that friends come in all shapes and sizes.

“An irresistible novel that hurls forward at breathtaking speed toward an unpredictable climax.” —Thrity Umrigar, bestselling author of The Space Between Us “Beautifully written, atmospheric…contains entire worlds. I couldn’t put it down.” —Gary Shteyngart, bestselling author of Super Sad True Love Story and Absurdistan Miss Timmins’ School for Girls is the truly dazzling debut of a major novelist, Nayana Currimbhoy. Set in India during the monsoon of 1974, it tells the story of a conventional young girl who leaves her cloistered small town home to teach at a remote boarding school run by British Missionaries. Part coming-of-age novel, part suspenseful murder mystery, Miss Timmins’ School for Girls is a brilliant evocation of a colorful time and place—India during the love, drug, and rock ’n’ roll era—complete with the sights, sounds, and music of the period seamlessly woven into the page-turning tale.

Inspired by a vacation to the Austrian Alps, Elinor M. Brent-Dyer wrote The School at the Chalet, launching a series that would span more than 60 books. The series follows the adventures of a boarding school set in the picturesque Swiss Alps. The series begins with The School at the Chalet (1925), where readers are introduced to Miss Madge Bettany, a young woman who decides to start a school for girls in the Swiss mountains. The series then chronicles the growth and evolution of the school, as well as the trials and triumphs of its students.