The School At The Chalet

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.

The Chalet School now boasts over 30 pupils. The autumn term sees adventures of all kinds - a flood that threatens the school and the dramatic rescue of an unwanted St Bernard puppy. Finally Joey, Robin and Madge spend a delightful Christmas at Innsbruck.

To read about the Abbey Girls is to long to join them at school -- to meet the members of the Hamlet Club - to watch the flowery ceremony of crowning the Queen! It is all so charming and natural. A joyous strain of country dancing runs through the pages, but there is also a deeper note of warm helpfulness and achievement. When Cicely visits the ruined abbey, she determines that 15-year-old Joan should come to Miss Macey's school. But Joan insists that her cousin Joy, desperately needing training for her musical talents, be given the scholarship. But how will headstrong quick tempered Joy cope with the school feud?

From its small beginnings, the Chalet School grows to be one of the most famous girls' schools in the world. There's no end of excitement and adventure and it's every girl's dream to be a pupil there. The winter term is a week old when Inter V propose a scheme for the school's anniversary.

Flavia Letton, the daughter of a police inspector, is enrolled in the Chalet School. Despite every effort being made to protect her true identity from her father's world of crime, criminals manage to track her down, bringing danger not only to Flavia, but to the whole school.

When they arrive at The Chalet School, the Lintons are as different as two sisters can be. Gentle and thoughtful Gillian soon settles down and makes friends, but wilful Joyce refuses to obey school rules or respect classroom honour. Problems come to a head when Joyce organizes a midnight feast.