Elsie Jeanette Oxenham (1880–1960)

Although it's the 16th in the Abbey Girls series, it's the first one I have read. It is a school story, and it takes place in part at a school, but school life does not really take a central part. It's more about a group of girls and young women, the relationship between them, their coming of age, romance and so on.

It's a very cosy story, and the dialogue among the girls was occasionally witty and amusing. There is a lot of emphasis on sensible and practical behavior (as opposed to excessive, unhealthy daydreaming), on finding realization through helping others, being useful and fulfilling your duties, on the need to grow up and mature instead of becoming stagnated as girls...

With a "slice of life" style, it could be slow and uneventful for some readers, but it has its own charm, and it provides a fascinating glimpse of a past time.… (more)

A very nice boarding school for girls novel. It's by the same author of the "Abbey Girls" books, although this one is not part of a series. The author has a quite gentle style, quite soothing to read, and I enjoyed that the book focused on a test of character.

The story is about two schoolgirls who are best friends, but gradually one of them grows disappointed in the other because she realizes her friend is only focused on herself, and she is always taking and never giving. However, instead of drifting apart, she decides to stick by her friend and wait for the right moment to help her change and grow.

The whole thing readable and entertaining. Its main flaw is that it could have used a bit more subtlety sometimes. The "insensitive" friend's behavior is too egregious, and all the other girls are always on her case to an exaggerated extent. Nevertheless, it has a rather moving message about the value of friendship and generosity.… (more)