Tom Tackles the Chalet School
Key Facts (Possible Spoilers):
School Facts:
Miss Annersley and Miss Wilson are co-Headmistress, but Miss Annersley never makes an appearance in the book - as she is still suffering from a motor accident in an earlier book.
The School is just outside Howells Village, near Armiford
Series Characters Whereabouts:
Jo Maynard - is living near-by in Plas Gwyn
Len, Con and Margot Maynard - are four years old
Peggy Bettany - is in the Upper Fourth
Bride Bettany - is eleven years old and in the Third form
Tom Gay (a girl) - is a new girl in this book and is placed in the third form
Daisy Venables - is a prefect
Gwensi Howell - is a prefect
Beth Chester - is the Head Girl
Robin Humphries - is at Oxford
Since she loses her appetite over the confusing affair with Daisy, Matron sends her off to bed, and while in bed Tom has time to think. Matron and Tom have a discussion and, while Tom does not directly address her issues with Daisy, Matron does set her straight on girls versus boys. Girls can be just as honourable and need not be overly sentimental.
The matter with Daisy comes to a head when Tom is on a walk with Daisy and Elfie, getting caught by a snowstorm. Daisy proves her mettle to Tom and while they are both in the San recovering, Tom is able to talk with her about the row in Prep. Tom finally understands after Daisy explained what actually happened.
Tom has one last adventure. Waking up one night in the middle of the night, she hears a noise downstairs. Sneaking downstairs to investigate, she hears the noise coming from the stock room. Seizing the moment, she slams the door and locks it tight, thinking she has caught a burglar.
The next morning, Tom reports the captured burglars to Miss Wilson, who had been among those trapped by Tom!!! She is scolded for not reporting the matter promptly to a Mistress and told not to tell anyone about the incident.
The last portion of the book revolves around getting ready for the Sale. Tom's woodworking skills draw the admiration of all as she builds a wonderful dolls house.
contributed by Chris King, USA __ working from a paperback edition