Lavender Laughs at the Chalet School (by Elinor M Brent-Dyer)

(Amazon UK link)

I started reading Elinor M Brent-Dyer's 'Chalet School' series when I was in my early teens, and have continued enjoying them, off and on, as an adult. Every so often, when staying in a house with some of the hardback editions, I pick up one to read... and find myself reading several. They're quite dated now, but it doesn't seem to matter; the characters are excellent, and feel almost like old friends.

Lavender is a spoilt girl who has travelled around the world with her aunt, who writes children's travel/geography guides. She thinks very highly of herself, since she has been to so many countries and been featured in popular books, but has had a very sketchy education.

When she arrives at the Chalet School, she has several clashes with other girls who resent her superior attitude. But - inevitably - she eventually makes some friends, as well as a few enemies.

An interesting read, and these books are comfort reading to me. But in essence it's not all that different in plot from 'Eustacia goes to the Chalet School'. Lavender has an accident, and although the effects aren't as long-lasting as Eustacia's, it does leave her a much nicer girl.

A pleasant light read, but nothing special. Unfortunately this is usually very expensive second-hand.  'Lavender Laughs at the Chalet School' was re-named 'Lavender Leigh at the Chalet School' when it was printed in abridged form by Armada paperbacks.