h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK - I've started a piece on School Stories, as I studied children's literature for my degree and am a bit of a fan myself...(young at heart)
I know there's already an entry on the Molesworth books, but I can't find any other specifically school story-focused entries. Am I right? This is going to involve quite a bit more research, and I don't want to waste my time duplicating someone else's entry!

I'll be including a lot of one-offs, as well as series such as the Chalet School and Sweet Valley High. If anyone has a fave they want representing and can tell me anything interesting about it, I'd be ever grateful.

ta

Pink.......

Hi,

I assume you're going to include Mallory Towers, St. Clares etc??? (btw: did you try entering Enid Blyton, Mallory Towers etc. into the search thing?) but how about The Naughtiest Girl at the School (do you know it? I think it was a series of 3, by Enid Blyton of course) It's not like her other stuff, the school runs itself, and they (get this) pool their pocket money at the beginning of each term. It is doled out weekly (2 bob each) and if you want to get something more (ie. want to buy books for the school) you have to put it to the school council. Sounds a lot like communism to me!! Anyway, let me know when you finish your entry, or if you want me to dredge (and I mean really dig deep) my memory about the Naughtiest Girl.

Sho

Thanks honey.

That naughtiest girl at school thing rings HUGE bells, but only sort of at the tip of my tongue. Anything else you can remember about it (or, say, a para of synopsis,) would be fab! I like the communist allegory - was this a girls' school animal farm? Can you remember how the series ended?

I will put both Mallory Towers and St Clares in, tho I need to catch up on School Story theory to see if that comes into Golden Age or Modern. Complicated stuff! When I was 11 I had a diary which I called Dear Darryl. Sad, isn't it? I've decided this one will take too long to fit into lunch breaks (I work long days) so I'll be finishing it over Christmas.

Thanks tons for your input!

Pink......

Hmmmm, now I'm going back to the early to mid 70s when I got the first book. Can't remember her name, but (true to Blyton form) she had dark eyes and lots of dark curly hair (she used to shake her head and stamp her foot a lot). Maybe she was Elizabeth. Anyway, she was taught at home by a governess, or should I say, sucession of governesses. There was one incident where she squirted Seccotine (which I can only imagine is a type of glue, the name has stuck with me these 25 years or so!) in the governess' shoes. So her parents decided to send her to boarding school, a solution which didn't please her. Having informed her new class mates that she has decided to become the naughtiest girl in the school (in order to be expelled), one of them sticks a notice on her back which reads "beware, I'm the naughtiest girl in the school, I bark, I bite". There is a school council, which I already mentioned, of which the naughtiest girl is very scornful. It is presided over by the head boy and girl, and there is a panel of monitors, which are elected by popular vote. There are a few incidents (predictably tricks are played on the French teacher) and grudging friendships built. One day she is out for a walk when she rescues a little boy from a lake (his nanny is looking on like a wet blanket while he drowns), and she hides her wet clothes - although she's spotted by a friend. The boy's parents write to the school to thank the unknown heroine (you can see where this is going, can't you) and the friend "outs" her. She is lauded by the school council etc etc. There is also a bit where she wants to buy a recording of some music (sea pieces for the piano, which I assume are by Debussy) and applies to the school council for an extra 2 shillings to buy it, expecting to be told no, but she gets the money and LO! realises that it is good to share.

So, actually it sounds vomit worthy, but as a kid (before I went to boarding school) I liked it. I can't remember what the second book is called, but I'm pretty sure that the third one is called (wait for it) The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor.

----

on to other things:

I noticed that you have studied childrens' literature, did you ever encounter any books about a little girl who meets a dragon in Cornwall (Green Smoke is the first of a series of 3). They were great, but I can't remember who wrote them. I had them as Puffins, but I'm pretty sure they're well out of print, which is a shame.

And also: I saw your Christmas Poem in the Post, and I have to say that it's (imo) great. Maybe it will encourage some people to give the homeless more than a passing thought just now..... (and I'm green with envy, because it makes mine look even more pathetic than it is!!!!)

Anyway, hope the above helped!
Sho

Thanks honey!

I like your poem, tho. Really joyful. Upbeat is great. People don't want to be feeling depressed every time they pass a homeless person. But I think a little sadistic bit of me likes making people feel uncomfortable...

Your synopsis is great. THere's bound to be a site out there where I can find those few little bits of extra info. Actually, I have a huge box of school stories somewhere in my parents' loft - maybe that one's up there too?
Oooh, it sounds sickening. That's what I used to love about those stories. Nearly always a happy ending. Noone was irrevocably bad, no matter what evil things they did in the first chapter. Excellent!

So, was boarding school all jolly hockeysticks and saving people from lakes? Where did you go? Personally, I was a comprehensive girl!

Hi you with the realy long name!!!!!

I think we should feel uncomfortable, only when we all feel really bad will we do something. I hated the recent advice not to give to beggars because they only spend it on drink & drugs. So flaming what! If I were they, I would too! (although there is a guy I often see in Düsseldorf and I sometimes buy him a sandwich and give him some money - at least that way I know he eats something too. Spot the Mummy!)

Enid Blyton wrote one book in which the 6 main protagonists were bad and all (or just about all) ended up in Borstal. 6 Bad Boys, I think it was a group of bad lads who lead a new-boy astray (typically, he got off lightly, middle-class boy etc.) It's worth a look for, I think. Unfortunately for me my father was in the Army, and in those bad old days we weren't allowed to cart much stuff around, so most of my books etc. were given away as soon as I was too old for them. I was (still am) a voracious reader, and really want my books back. Sniff I bought a book once a week with 17 1/2 pence of my pocket money, and a packet of crisps with the rest. Usually I had read half of the book in the car on the way back home, and generally finished it by Sunday morning (torch under the covers). Most of them I can remember if I think really hard (that type of memory). Are you going to include Harry Potter in your school thing? (I know, I know, everyone has already written so much about him, but it would really help put those books in context - sorry, not trying to dictate to you about your article, it really was just a question )

Boarding school was horrible. I hated being away from my family, and I reckon I (as well as my parents - mum in particular) missed out on a lot. They really went without a lot of things (holidays etc) for it, and in the end as a psychological reaction (I think) I totally flunked my A-levels because I didn't want to go to Uni (which I assumed would be more of the same). Now I regret it. Obviously there were good times - maybe I'll write an article on it - and I made some good friends (2 of whom still have regular contact) but all in all it was - well frankly, crap. It was in Bristol and is called The Red Maids' School. Oldest girls school in England (founded 1634) and we wore red kilts! On high-holidays etc we had to wear poke bonnets (!) and scratchy red dresses with white tippets. YUK! Although, I did learn Russian (went there a few times), Fencing, and loads of other stuff. But all girls, so it took me a long time to get used to boys. I can't say I'm planning to send my girlies there.

Comprehensive schools (from what I have seen, which isn't much) turn out ok-ish education untill 16, then when only the motivated kids are there they do very well. My uncle teaches 6th form (or whatever it's called now) in an inner city school, and I can only marvel at some of them (like when they get to good Unis, and do well, despite the fact that their father beats them and neither parent can read)

I'm going on and on and on.
Sorry,

Anyway, if I think of any more school books, I'll let you know.

Sho


PS. If you ever find a site, please let me know, I'm still interested in all those children's novels

:o) You're a good person Sho! (Oh person with the ever-so short name. I'm impressed! You travel light.)

Of course Harry gets a mention (I'm an addict), though I think I'll have to skirt it a little because I'm probably going to have to focus my piece on girls' school stories, as I can't get the information on the boys' ones. I suppose being so unisex, I can get away with Harry - maybe make a point about most schools being mixed sex now anyway, so perhaps it seems more authentic to today's readers. I'll have to think on that one.

Anyway, you can help me as much as you want, hon! you're definitely getting credits for the naughtiest girl stuff. If I do find a good source I will tell you. I'm hoping there might be. A lot of the earlier stories might be coming to the end of copyright too, which would make it more likely. Probably not Blyton, though, which is a shame.

It's a shame you hated school, and it's not often I think of it from the parents' point of view. I didn't love mine, but it was ok, and sixth form college was amazing. Like university (freedom, calling teachers by first names, choosing your own path, only people who wanted to be there went there) but smaller - about 200 students in my year - and not quite so cynical. My school didn't even have a sixth form, which is just as well. I was sick of it by 15!

Well, your school can't have been that bad if you fenced! That's the reason I asked which you went to - a lot of my friends from fencing were from public or private schools, and quite a few were boarders. What a shame boarding school isn't like it is in books, huh?

I'd love to read that Blyton - I can't imagine one without a happy ending. I'll take a look for it in my local bookshop. The best source I found for boooks of that sort of age was in Cardiff (used for my Children's Lit paper on many occasions) called TroutMark. I'm in London now, and I don't know any good second hand bookshops here, though there must be loads.

So are you Germany-based now, or do you just visit often?

Right, back to work!

Pink........xx

I'm a good person? I try - but it's hard!!

And if you're wracking your brains trying to think of boarding school stories for boys schools: Billy Bunte (ok, ok, comics, but still boarding school) and, of course, Tom Brown's Schooldays. That Flashman was a role model for some of the 3rd formers when I was in 2nd (ah yes, I just remembered - girls' school stories was the subject?? sorry, not paying attention at the back here)

I thought a bit about school after my last (negative vibes at work there) post. Well, I suppose I hated it about 20% of the time, 5% I loved it, the rest was so-so. I wish my parents had let me leave at 16 and go to the local Army-run school. They got good results in the year I would have sat A-levels.... but they weren't to know that. (About 6 years ago I did English Lit A-level by correspondence course. I didn't have time to study 2 of the books, just read them on the tram to work. Still got a B grade though, so I suppose there is a bit of brain rattling round in there!) I'm really envious of you getting to read Swallows & Amazons and the like for Uni!

I forgot that you like fencing too. (In my day girlies were only allowed to use foil, I did a little bit in the Army, but not much - too regimented for me - I understand everyone is allowed to do everything now - shame I'm so unfit, I always fancied the epée.) My claim to fame? In about 1979 or 1980 I was the Wessex Under 16 Foil runner up (got a trophy - my only one! - to prove it) Rather predictable that most of those you know from the fencing world come from public schools - it's a flaming expensive sport. But the best - it also improved my badminton. We had this truly mental one armed French bloke as a coach - geez!

I can't imagine 200 in a 6th form - we had about 30! My A-level subjects were Economics, Maths & Russian (stupid mix!) Economics was the biggest class with 9, then M & R with 5 each. Nowhere to hide!

I live in Germany...... look at my user page if you want to see where....

Off now, that was enough, and this is on my PC at home, so it's probably costing me an arm & a leg!

love
Sho

Hiya Sho!

Excellent suggestions. I had Tom Brown, but I didn't think of that Billy. Fantastic stuff. What I'll do is write it as a girls' focus, and then stick the boys in if I have enough.

Well done on the English Lit! I love studying books, but I think if you already adore the book, and then your tutor rips it apart as a fascist allegory, or some other doubtful theory, it can spoil future readings,...so I was careful not to study any of the books I adored when I got to choose my own for the BA. Some things have to be JUST fun

When I started fencing, I was discouraged from using Sabre (my favourite) but actually pushed into studying epee, which I never wanted to do in the first place. However, once I started epee I did love it (never as much as my sabre, though - it's such a free, graceful weapon, based on more curved actions than foil. (Way I fence foil anyway...which is badly!) WOW that is a claim to fame. I only ever won one comp (apart from some of the Uni ones) and that was team. (So it doesn't count)

It was great (sixth form, that is.) I adored it, and I'm sure I'd never have done so well if I hadn't felt so at home there.
HOW TO SURVIVE TO THE END OF A HORROR MOVIE


* When it appears that you have killed the monster, NEVER
check to see if it's really dead.

* Never read a book of demon-summoning aloud, even as a
joke.

* Do not search the basement, especially if the power has
gone out.

* If your children speak to you in Latin or any other
language which they should not know, shoot them immediately.
It will save you a lot of grief in the long run. However, it
will probably take several rounds to kill them, so be
prepared. This also applies to kids who speak with somebody
else's voice.

* As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.

* If you're searching for something which caused a loud
noise and find out that it's just the cat, GET THE HELL
OUT!

* If you find a town which looks deserted, there's probably
a good reason for it. Don't stop and look around.

* Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're
sure you know that you're doing.

* If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall
down at least twice. Also note that, despite the fact that
you are running and the monster is merely shambling along,
it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.

* If your car runs out of gas at night on a lonely road, do
not go to the nearby deserted looking house to phone for
help. If you think that it is strange because you thought
you had half of a tank, shoot yourself instead. You are
going to die anyway, and most likely be eaten.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY:

* When trying to escape from a serial killer, never run
UPstairs.

Hiya Sho!

Excellent suggestions. I had Tom Brown, but I didn't think of that Billy. Fantastic stuff. What I'll do is write it as a girls' focus, and then stick the boys in if I have enough.

Well done on the English Lit! I love studying books, but I think if you already adore the book, and then your tutor rips it apart as a fascist allegory, or some other doubtful theory, it can spoil future readings,...so I was careful not to study any of the books I adored when I got to choose my own for the BA. Some things have to be JUST fun

When I started fencing, I was discouraged from using Sabre (my favourite) but actually pushed into studying epee, which I never wanted to do in the first place. However, once I started epee I did love it (never as much as my sabre, though - it's such a free, graceful weapon, based on more curved actions than foil. (Way I fence foil anyway...which is badly!) WOW that is a claim to fame. I only ever won one comp (apart from some of the Uni ones) and that was team. (So it doesn't count)

It was great (sixth form, that is.) I adored it, and I'm sure I'd never have done so well if I hadn't felt so at home there.
**oops, I just pressed paste and then post by accident. I hope it didn't send!**
woah, only five people in a class is teeny! My smallest was 8 (Music) and my largest probably about 25 or so. At uni, my medieval english language class in the second year had three people in it, which was really weird - especially when someone was away ill.

I'm going to look at your page now - I forget H2G2 works like that, it's great!

ttfn - don't spend too much on that internetting!

Pink......x

Good Afternoon,

And I had another thought, but it's sooooooo long since I read it I can't remember if it was about school or not, Stalky & Co. (Kipling, I believe). So there you have the extent of my knowledge. Unless you're going to include things like The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis, which gives an alarming description of a "progressive" school. post-war, I assume.

I have never had any trouble dissecting books I like. Facist allegory or not. I remember that once we had to bring a book of our choice and the English teacher chose one from the class. He picked mine, which was Swallows and Amazons and ever after that I got much more enjoyment from it. (even now!) But not much facist allegory there! I often think, though, that far too much is read into some things, and that they are better left well alone. For my English A-level I had to "do" F. Scott Fitzgerald - yuk, and Henry James - doubleplusyuk, and Ted Bleeding Hughes - there aren't any polite words to describe poetry which concerns itself with afterbirths hanging out of the rear ends of sheep. But now, several years later, James is ok, FSF is still yuk (Tender is the Night), and Huges is just about my favourite poet after Bob Dylan. There's a lesson there, somewhere, but I can't find it

I took up fencing because I didn't have anything better to do on a Friday evening (sad git) which at 12 wasn't so bad, but at 16 took a bit of will power (it came up against The Professionals or Monty Python, probably). Our coach was a complete mad man, and the other girls dwindled until there were about 7 of us regularly attending. It got me out on Sundays, and we had matches against local schools (mostly boys) so I met quite a few boys (which was good) who had more on their minds than going to the pub to get wasted and pick up girls (even better). Some of them even knew how to talk about things, so on the whole it was a good move. In the Army it got me around a bit, and (because of the public school factor) got me known amongst my superiors, most of whom couldn't believe that with my background I fiercley resisted taking a comission (I wouldn't have been able to do my job, which I loved, if I had). So now you know all about me!

The horror movie stuff was great (although I avoid them, since I have a very vivid imagination and my house is surrounded by fields). I saw something similar about movies in general where they said that if more than one person wanted to fight the hero they had to attack him/her one at a time. Ho ho.

(trying to remember what came in the next msg)
Hm. Oh, if you looked at my page you'll have seen a load of guff! (and my rabbit died last week, which is sad ) What made you decide to study Children's Literature (if you don't mind my asking)? Do you work with children? Actually, I can't stand the little blighters, mine are ok, but that's just maternal instinct. If I couldn't have my 10 hours a day away from them I'd be right round the twist (instead of just half way!)

Got to go and look like I'm working - it's really hectic here right now, so I'd better do something!
Have a good Christmas, and New Year (I have to work next week) and good luck with the Christmas Poem!

Sho
- a Christmas treat for you!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS SHO!!!!! sorry it's so late. I was sure I'd answered you before - guess I must've been imagining it!!! On a dash now, but had to wish you a great christmas (what's left of the festive season) and an amazing new year! I hope it was, is and will be!
Ta for the choc. Mmmmm, yummy.

lots of love, Pink ....x.x.x

PS - proper answer to follow....