A girl of a wild upbringing is sent to an English boarding school with her twin sisters, a secret and a packet she will not open. L. T. Meade wrote more than two hundred books and knew exactly how a school punishes what it cannot understand. Betty's offence is committed in the first chapters and the rest of the book is about who will forgive it and on what terms. Twenty-nine plates, among them harbour lights by John Atkinson Grimshaw and Thames reflections by David Payne, carry the mood of...

Two London orphans, Cecile and Maurice D'Albert, children of a French father and a Spanish mother, set out from London for the Pyrenees to find the grandmother they have never seen. L. T. Meade wrote for a Victorian public that liked its poverty rescued in the last chapter, and she gives them the rescue — after two hundred pages that are exact about hunger, cold and the price of a night's shelter. Cecile is ten, and the book knows what it is asking of her. Thirty-seven plates of London str...

Three schoolfellows scheme to find the money that will keep one of them at school, and the scheme ends in a cheque that should never have been written. L. T. Meade wrote more than two hundred books, mostly for girls, and invented the modern school story alongside Angela Brazil. The moral pressure here is applied by the friends rather than the mistresses, which is why it still works. Fifty-two plates by painters including Millais and Wilkie carry the same themes of youth, letters and moral ...

"The Time of Roses" by L. T. Meade is a heartwarming story of friendship and personal growth. Set in a charming English village, it follows the lives of several young women as they navigate the complexities of love, family, and society. The novel explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the enduring power of female bonds. With its vivid characters and picturesque setting, "The Time of Roses" is a timeless tale of life's joys and challenges.

There is something about the number 3.The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two.Most religions also have 3 this and 3 that and, of course, in these more modern times, three’s a crowd may be too many, except when it’s a ménage à trois. It seems good things usually come in threes.Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore them...

L. T. Meade's Outcast Robin: or, Your Brother and Mine: a Cry from the Great City is a socially engaged late-Victorian novel that turns its gaze toward urban deprivation, moral neglect, and the precarious lives of children in the modern metropolis. Combining melodramatic plotting with reformist purpose, Meade frames Robin's story as both narrative and indictment, exposing the human cost of class indifference. The book belongs to the tradition of Victorian social-problem fiction, echoing th...

There is something about the number 3.The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two.Most religions also have 3 this and 3 that and, of course, in these more modern times, three’s a crowd may be too many, except when it’s a ménage à trois. It seems good things usually come in threes. Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore themes and ...

"A Very Naughty Girl" explores the adventures and misadventures of its protagonist, a young girl known for her spirited and mischievous nature. The narrative unfolds as she navigates various challenges, learns valuable lessons, and discovers the consequences of her actions. Here are key elements of the plot:Character Development: The novel likely focuses on the personal growth and development of the very naughty girl as she matures and learns to navigate her world with greater responsibili...

There is something about the number 3.The Ancient Greeks believed 3 was the perfect number, and in China 3 has always been a lucky number, and they know a thing or two.Most religions also have 3 this and 3 that and, of course, in these more modern times, three’s a crowd may be too many, except when it’s a ménage à trois. It seems good things usually come in threes.Whatever history and culture says WE think 3, a hat-trick of stories, is a great number to explore them...

"A Bunch of Cherries" follows the lives of students at Cherry Court School, an all-girls boarding school in England. The story centers around a group of friends, affectionately referred to as "a bunch of cherries," as they navigate the challenges and adventures of school life together.The plot may involve a variety of experiences typical of boarding school settings, including friendships, rivalries, academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and personal growth. The characters may face...

The story follows a young girl named Bessie, who lives in a bustling city and befriends a street-smart dog named Scamp. Bessie and Scamp’s adventures take them through various parts of the city, where they encounter different characters and situations that highlight both the challenges and the charms of urban life.Bessie and Scamp form a close bond as they navigate the city’s by-ways and backstreets. Their experiences include helping those in need, discovering hidden corners of the city, a...

The Protagonist: The central character, often referred to as a "Sister of the Red Cross," is a compassionate and dedicated nurse. Her role in the war effort is crucial, and her personal journey forms the heart of the story.The South African War: The backdrop of the novel is the South African War, which was fought between the British Empire and the Boer republics. The story provides historical context and details about the conditions and challenges faced by soldiers and medical personnel.Nu...