Three go to the Chalet School (by Elinor M Brent-Dyer)

(Amazon UK link)

I fully acknowledge that some of Elinor M Brent-Dyer's 'Chalet School' books are samey school stories (written, I suppose, at the insistence of her publisher). But some of them stand out above the rest as lovely character-driven stories, and in places I often find them quite moving.

'Three go to the Chalet School' is one of my favourites. It primarily features Mary-Lou Trelawney, who becomes an important character in later books. Mary-Lou is a delightful, outspoken and friendly little girl. She meets the enormous Maynard family (who are neighbours) and is delighted to be able to join the Chalet School.

When Mary-Lou arrives, she meets the strange and very reserved Verity-Ann Carey. She is also new and an unlikely friendship - partly based on the fact that they both have double first names - is formed.

Then, rather to Mary-Lou's surprise, an old friend of hers is also sent to the school a little later in the term. She is pleased, but this causes her some new problems.

I consider this one of the more enjoyable and moving books in the lengthy series. It was quite significantly cut in the 'Armada' paperback edition. 

All these books stand alone, and this wouldn't be a bad one to read as introduction to the series, if you don't want to start at the beginning. But it's always best, in my view, to read these later books in the series with the background of at least a few of the earlier ones.

(You can also read my longer review of 'Three Go to the Chalet School' after acquiring the 'Girls Gone By' full edition and re-reading in 2011)