Pls help me find a main character called Rowan in children's book

[Nikitaspearlearring]

It's an old book. I would've read it around the early 70s so say published before 1975. She was told she was called Rowan after the mountain ash. I have a memory of her in the garden of a house but that doesn't narrow it down much! TIA

Could this be a Marlow book by Antonia Forest? Most of them published before 1970s. One of the sisters is called Rowan and she mainly features in the 'home' books.

I thought that but I don't remember anything about Rowan Marlow being named after the mountain ash - doesn't sound like a terribly Marlow thing to do 😄

It's possible but they don't ring any bells. Are they all set in a school? I can't find one with 'home' in the title. But I think the book I'm after is about a girl who runs away.

Run Away Home? But can’t remember any chat about a mountain ash…

@Nikitaspearlearring Oooh.....I having visions of a "gipsy" girl or a girl from a cottage in a woodland.....does this sound like a potential plot?

It was called Charley. That was what she insisted on being called, because she didn't like Rowan

Only 4 are set in school, but there's no mention of the mountain ash origin. And Rowan does the opposite of running away from home unfortunately

Charley by Joan G.Robinson

She ran away from home and fended for herself for a summer. There was a gipsy caravan in it too, but I think she slept rough?

Yes! But I may be getting it mixed up with a Rumer Godden book called The Diddakoi (sp?) about a gipsy, but the girl in that is called Kizzy. The Rowan one could be by Rumer Godden, or someone like her, but I can't see a likely one atm.

That does sound like it. She was quite feisty!

I think the one suggested by @IggyAndZiggy might be the one.
Right era (published 1969).
I don't think I have read it but it sounds like a book I would love. I'm now curious what one I was thinking of 😂😂

That could be it! Published in 1969, originally called The Girl Who Ran Away, her real name is Rowan, "from the beautiful tree". So although I'm not 100% sure (it was a long time ago!) it ticks all the boxes.

Thank you so much! I've been thinking about this book for years. I don't know whether to spoil the magic and read it again!

I read it to my daughter about 10 years ago and I still enjoyed it. Sadly I had a major clear-out and no longer have a copy

Did she also write Teddy Robinson? I loved those books

‘Seal Morning’ by Rowena Farre

Not exactly your description, but this book came to mind.

www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/seal-morning-book-rowena-farre-9781841586908?price=4.00

Oh I LOVED Charley! I bought a second hand copy a few years ago as I wanted to re-read it… it definitely stands up to a revisit.

The fawn, the caravan in the corner of the garden, the time she goes to church in a headdress of weeds. Lovely book.

@Nikitaspearlearring there several copies for sale on Abebooks but it's very expensive. This is probably the cheapest 😱

Thanks. I found one for £11.50. Awesome books I think it was. An investment, I hope! Will read it to my (future) dgch!

@Nikitaspearlearring I hope it's as good as you remember 🙂

Thank you. After reading the post above by @ChristmasFairyLiquid which has mentioned some things I'd forgotten, I think it will be!

Oh this was a favourite childhood book of mine, still have my copy! Joan G Robinson is brilliant on family dynamics and Charley has a vivid imagination. It is recognisably set in Norfolk - Joan G Robinson lived near Kings Lynn and wrote at least one other children's novel set in Norfolk - When Marnie Was There is set on the north Norfolk coast and is also well worth seeking out.