Slightly confusingly, the Armada version of this is the first half of the original 'New Chalet School', published in paperback in the 1970s, with the second half being re-named 'The United Chalet School'. I was delighted to be able to acquire a full edition in hardback since the last time I read it.

It begins with the news that St Scholastika's has been sold, as their head has retired, and the girls will be joining the Chalet School. A new block will be built, but in the meantime the school will be rather crowded. We also learn that Mademoiselle LePattre will not be returning to teaching.

The Russells and their extended family have bought the old St Scholastika's building and will be using it as a summer home. And a new guesthouse has opened.. with some small Italian children who take a dislike to the Chalet School and start a feud which gets progressively nastier, and ends in tragedy for these children.

Fast-paced and quite exciting. It's many years since I last read it and I'd forgotten pretty much everything in the book.

Latest full review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-new-chalet-school-by-elinor-m-b... ( )

The Armada titlesThe New Chalet School and A United Chalet School were originally published together as The New Chalet School by Chambers. Good, but nothing really outstanding. The students of St. Scholastika's join the Chalet School, and there is the usual collection of disasters, both natural and man-made. For me, the most notable thing about this book is that it is the last pre-war entry in the series, originally published in 1938. There is one passing mention of Hitler's name, but no other reference to any social upheaval in Europe. ( )