Emerence, a wild, unruly girl from Australia, is to be sent to the Chalet School. It doesn't help that the entire sixth form have moved to the new 'finishing' branch, just opened in the Oberland, so that this year's new prefects are all fairly inexperienced.

The main part of the book is a fairly run-of-the-mill school story, although further shocks emerge during the term, including a surprise announcement from Canada, and the unearthing (literally) of an old well. Elinor M Brent-Dyer evidently decided to give her views on child-raising a good airing in this book, but I didn't feel that Emerence ever quite lived up to her potential, although she is mostly treated sympathetically by the staff.

I previously read this in paperback and now have a full hardback, but it doesn't change the story as such. Worth reading for continuity as part of the series, but I don't think this book is anything special.

Latest longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2023/12/shocks-for-chalet-school-by-elinor-... ( )