To wonder what kids (and some parents) nowadays would think of books like Malory Towers...

[PlinkiePlonk]

I am reading this with my DD as I loved it as a kid. Only just started book one when the kids are dropped off for the first time. Half of the first chapter was one girl (Alicia) taking the mickey of another (Gwendoline Mary) for the fact that she had such a tearful goodbye with her mum as opposed to just being a ‘good sort’ and getting on with it.

It just made me think we are all so far the other way now.... i had a military childhood so I still think a bit that people do need to just get on with it (then I do something completely helicopter parent so not exactly immune). However, I can’t help but think all our tears for our children doing perfectly normal things like going to school or growing up aren’t helping them be self sufficient. It just makes me wonder if books like this would now be seen as really harsh by society whilst actually there is a balance?

DD is 8 and read all of the Malory Towers books this year. She loved them despite the anachronisms. She loves St Clares and The Naughtiest Girl too and has read all of the Enid Blyton ones and is now reading the ones that have been written by other authors as a follow on.

The theatre show is fantastic!!

Those of you who've read the 'new' Malory towers books...was anyone else astounded when Gwendoline turned up as a teacher? Dd and I were gobsmacked!

Was it Malory towers where the new girl was horribly bullied and eventually when she is ill they all ignore it/take the piss until it's really serious? Then they all feel guilty when she's shipped off to hospital.

@restawhile77 I think she was called Irene.

I was always puzzled by all the hot summers and swimming!

Yes Scarlett but I thought Gwen was a much more realistic character- missing her parents than Darrell.

I always thought the school was located in Devon Or Cornwall so May have had decent summers.

Which were the books where every week there was a student led trial for any misbehaviour that had gone on? Whenever any student got given money from family it had to go in a big school pot to be used for things that were needed- I remember thinking how unfair and awful that was, and how ridiculous that they all took pride in handing their money in.

I was always puzzled by all the hot summers and swimming!

I think malory towers had its own micro climate!

Ah! I think it was The Naughtiest Girl in the School books! That’s the name that sprung to mind but the covers didn’t look familiar. I’ve read the synopsis now and it’s bringing up all sorts of memories!

It was Cornwall, yes, but still...

Has anyone read the Angela Brazil books? Older than EB but really interesting.

Yes the Naughtiest Girl series. Where the children ran the school and made all the rules and punishments themselves.

I loved the Malory Towers series, still do despite being appalled at the rampant bullying that goes on. My children love them too and still use them as comfort reading to this day. We've had many a discussion about how social attitudes have changed throughout the years.

And there's a musical? I had no idea! We have the books on audio CD but a musical is a whole other level!

Yes the Naughtiest Girl series. Where the children ran the school and made all the rules and punishments themselves

Very radical for its time!

Loved all those books & famous five when younger wishing chair & faraway tree etc. DD1 had/has no interest & neither did my niece (now 16). Into books like dork diaries, David Walliams, Ronald Dahl etc but now 10 doesn't read alot outside of school at all :(

I remember reading them when I was about 7 and dreaming that I was Daryl. I have never forgiven my mother for telling me I would have been Gwendoline.....

DrCoconut I don't think that was Malory Towers - unless you're thinking of Ellen in the second form. She wasn't shipped off to hospital but she was kept in the san, while the others thought she'd been expelled for stealing. It was only Alicia who was dismissive of her illness. When it was discovered she was seriously ill, Gwen reminded Alicia of that, which made Alicia somewhat disgruntled to be on the receiving end for once.

I really like Gwen and I'd definitely have been her friend rather than joining the Darrell/Alicia gang. I'm not posh so wouldn't have had the snob appeal she craved, but I was a swotty type so she could have copied my homework (or cribbed my prep as they'd have put it).

I like Gwen too. They were horrible about her in the first book when her and her mother were crying at the train station....she was also crap at sports which was an absolute sin at Malory towers...she did some mean things but I think it was a result of how they treated her.

I never realised there was a musical either.. Is it ok to go and see without a child in tow? When you're 47?

@RedPandaBear I did! There were lots of kids, but plenty of adults without kids too. At one of the shows I went to, there was a whole group of middle aged women in brown gymslips, knee socks and straw hats.

Well my seven year old asked when she can go to 'sleepover school' after reading them, so I guess she likes them.

Thanks @ShinyMe!

That sounds awesome! My husband will be so pleased...

Just remembered dd dressing up as a MT pupil for world book day.

As a child I loved Enid Blyton’s books and have probably pretty much read them all (I still have all the Famous Five books in my attic). I used to dream of going to boarding school!! However looking at them now I can see how out of date and ‘snobby’ they are! I haven’t read or given them to any of my children and I never will as I really don’t think they have a place in today’s world!!

I read the secret seven books to DS when he was 6. They were great!! A bit sexist though!! But really.loved that the children could go off on their own adventures, playing out all day. I used to do that stuff, now my kids only get to experience organised activities and I wish for them that they had a little more freedom (though we don't live rurally unfortunately)