The Chalet School and Barbara: 30 Paperback – 30 April 2014

Good quality

This is one of the later stories from the 50s. The main character is the daughter of one of the original girls.Because it was written soon after the war when Austrians were bad guys, the school moves to Switzerland.I loved the period touches. The girls get fined if they speak 'slang' which includes 'smashing', 'ok' and 'in cahoots'. They are allowed to call things 'wizard', though!I also was amused how often they blush and turn red. Several times each chapter.Very enjoyable descriptions of trips to places like Berne.They do seem very religious compared to girls today, and the staff entertainments are hilariously awful by modern standards.

such an improvement on the abridged version!

Love it.

Barbara Chester, who used to be an invalid, goes to the Chalet School in Switzerland when she is 14. There's not much plot, but a bit more human interest than many of the later books in the series.I recently re-read this in its original hardcover form, which has so much more than the Armada paperback. It's dated of course and full of clichés. There are inevitable caricatures too, and yet I so like the people, who feel almost like old friends. I was a little disappointed that there's so little of Joey Maynard (who is quarantined for most of the book) - although this volume does come immediately after 'Joey goes to the Oberland', which features Jo's family and nothing of the school.It's an important book for fans of the series, introducing the new branch of the school, but not particularly good as a stand-alone or as introduction to the series. Reprinted recently by Girls Gone By as a facsimile paperback, with a new introduction.

good

I found this book at a church bazaar years ago and read it over and over again. Living in the U.S., I was never able to find any more of the books in this series so I had to be content with Barbara's adventures at the Chalet School.Barbara is a young girl who has been over-protected by her family. Considered to be of frail health, she has never left home. Now she is excited to be going to the famous Chalet School, and she's ready for all kinds of adventures.Making new friends, visiting new places, learning to ski, and being lost on a mountain during a blizzard are just some of the adventures awaiting Barbara. This is a wonderful read for girls of all ages.