Three Go To The Chalet School
Synopsis
This book introduces Mary-Lou Trelawney, Verity-Anne Carey and Clem Barras. The book opens with Mary-Lou aged almost ten. As there is no appropriate school near their Devon home, her mother and grandmother have decided to move house and send Mary-Lou to the Chalet School (her father is exploring in South America, and has been since Mary-Lou was a toddler). The move is also intended to benefit Mrs. Trelawney's health.
Mary-Lou is upset at leaving Clem Barras, her only real friend, although Clem is older than her. Clem has been living next door with her brother, Tony, and her artist parents. Mary-Lou is a little reconciled to the idea of a move when she learns Clem is leaving too.
Mary-Lou has reservations about going to school. Until now, her mother had taught her at home. However, at her new home she soon makes the acquaintance of the Maynard Triplets and their Mother, Joey - not to mention Madge Russell (Madame) and her family. This helps to persuade her that school may not be bad after all.
Verity-Anne Carey is sent to the Chalet School after the death of her Grandfather. Her mother is dead, and her father is abroad. Soon the two girls, Mary-Lou and Verity-Anne, discover that their fathers are with the same expedition.
Mary-Lou quickly settles into school and makes friends, most notably with Vi Lucy. Verity-Anne, on the other hand, finds it much more difficult. Having been brought up in an old-fashioned way by elderly relatives and her governess, she has little in common with the girls in her form. Nor does she want to. Unhappy and confused, she sticks to her own ways, which brings her into conflict with both girls and staff. Mary-Lou does her best to befriend her, with little success.
After her first half term, Mary-Lou changes from being a daygirl to a boarder. She is unhappy at first over the idea of sharing a room. Much to her delight, however, she finds herself sharing a two-bedded room with a new pupil - Clem Barras!
Clem's parents have sent her to school because her parents are painting in the Hebrides, where there was no suitable school for Clem or her brother.
contributed by Helen T. Bradley, Scotland __ working from a hardback edition
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