The Chalet School and Jo

I grew up on a steady diet of the Chalet school series - now I want my daughter to do the same. This book is one of a series - like M & M'S - once you eat one, you have to devour all.

"Rivals" is unique in that it deals not only with the Chalet School Girls, but with a entire new group: the students of "Saints", a new school across the lake that competes with the Chalet School in every way. The Chalet School girls, including Joey Bettany, must learn to deal with girls from different backgrounds and with decidedly different ideas and attitudes from their own. Through trial and error, between staff as well as students, the Chalet School makes way for the newcomers. This book also plays on the early married life of the founder, Madge Bettany, and her often mentioned twin, Dick Bettany.

The chronicle of Jo's last year as a Chalet School girl. We experience with Jo what everybody feels at that certain stage in life the reluctance to grow up and leave behind a carefree childhood and to emerge from it as a responsible adult. Jo's last year and she is made head girl, is given the responsibilities that she loathes and really has to pull up and leave behind childish antics. There are difficulties all around with Robin's illness and the middles worse than ever and all this calls for a responsible Jo who can take command of all the varied difficult situations that the term holds for her, Jo really has to grow up. I loved this book because I could relate to it and sometimes I could see myself in Jo's place facing the "change" that at first seems so horrid yet is the mysterious doorway to the second stage of our lives.A Gorgeous edition and a must read for all those who don't want to grow up.