Chalet School facts for kids
The Chalet School is a popular series of 64 school story novels. These books were written by Elinor M. Brent-Dyer. They were first published between 1925 and 1970.
The school in the stories is fictional. It started in the Austrian Tyrol. Later, it moved to Guernsey in 1939. This move happened because of the start of World War II and safety concerns. It moved again to Herefordshire when the Channel Islands were invaded. The school then moved to a made-up island near Wales. Finally, it settled in Switzerland.
Contents
What are the Chalet School books about?
The Chalet School was started in 1925 by a woman named Madge Bettany. Her brother had to go back to his job in India. Madge needed a way to earn money and care for her younger sister, Joey, who was not well.
She found that starting a school was a good idea. It would help her earn money and look after Joey. Places in England were too costly. So, Madge decided to look abroad. She found a big chalet in the Austrian Tyrol. This location was perfect for Joey to get better.
After a few years, a special hospital was built nearby. It was for people recovering from illness. Dr. Jem Russell, who founded the hospital, and Dr. Jack Maynard helped the school. Dr. Russell later married Madge, and Dr. Maynard married Joey.
The books follow many different characters. Robin Humphries was a main character for a while. She later left to go to Oxford and became a nun. Other characters like Daisy Venables, Bride Bettany, and Gay Lambert appear. Later, Mary-Lou Trelawney becomes a key character. After she leaves, Joey's triplets become the main focus.
Throughout the series, new girls often arrive at the school. They might have personal problems or behave badly. But with help from good friends and teachers, they learn to change. They usually become excellent students. This idea of a new girl who improves is common, especially in the later books.
About the Chalet School Books
Original Hardback Books
The Chalet School books were first printed in hardback. This happened between 1925 and 1970. The publisher was W. & R. Chambers.
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The School at the Chalet | 1925 |
| 2 | Jo of the Chalet School | 1926 |
| 3 | The Princess of the Chalet School | 1927 |
| 4 | The Head Girl of the Chalet School | 1928 |
| 5 | The Rivals of the Chalet School | 1929 |
| 6 | Eustacia Goes to the Chalet School | 1930 |
| 7 | The Chalet School and Jo | 1931 |
| 8 | The Chalet Girls in Camp | 1932 |
| 9 | The Exploits of the Chalet Girls | 1933 |
| 10 | The Chalet School and the Lintons | 1934 |
| 11 | The New House at the Chalet School | 1935 |
| 12 | Jo Returns to the Chalet School | 1936 |
| 13 | The New Chalet School | 1938 |
| 14 | The Chalet School in Exile | 1940 |
| 15 | The Chalet School Goes to It | 1941 |
| 16 | The Highland Twins at the Chalet School | 1942 |
| 17 | Lavender Laughs in the Chalet School | 1943 |
| 18 | Gay From China at the Chalet School | 1944 |
| 19 | Jo to the Rescue | 1945 |
| 20 | Three Go to the Chalet School | 1949 |
| 21 | The Chalet School and the Island | 1950 |
| 22 | Peggy of the Chalet School | 1950 |
| 23 | Carola Storms the Chalet School | 1951 |
| 24 | The Wrong Chalet School | 1952 |
| 25 | Shocks for the Chalet School | 1952 |
| 26 | The Chalet School in the Oberland | 1952 |
| 27 | Bride Leads the Chalet School | 1953 |
| 28 | Changes for the Chalet School | 1953 |
| 29 | Joey Goes to the Oberland | 1954 |
| Title | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | The Chalet School and Barbara | 1954 |
| 31 | Tom Tackles the Chalet School | 1955 |
| 32 | The Chalet School Does It Again | 1955 |
| 33 | A Chalet Girl from Kenya | 1955 |
| 34 | Mary-Lou of the Chalet School | 1956 |
| 35 | A Genius at the Chalet School | 1956 |
| 36 | A Problem for the Chalet School | 1956 |
| 37 | The New Mistress at the Chalet School | 1957 |
| 38 | Excitements at the Chalet School | 1957 |
| 39 | The Coming of Age of the Chalet School | 1958 |
| 40 | The Chalet School and Richenda | 1958 |
| 41 | Trials for the Chalet School | 1958 |
| 42 | Theodora and the Chalet School | 1959 |
| 43 | Joey and Co in Tirol | 1960 |
| 44 | Ruey Richardson: Chaletian | 1960 |
| 45 | A Leader in the Chalet School | 1961 |
| 46 | The Chalet School Wins the Trick | 1961 |
| 47 | A Future Chalet School Girl | 1962 |
| 48 | The Feud in the Chalet School | 1962 |
| 49 | The Chalet School Triplets | 1963 |
| 50 | The Chalet School Reunion | 1963 |
| 51 | Jane and the Chalet School | 1964 |
| 52 | Redheads at the Chalet School | 1964 |
| 53 | Adrienne and the Chalet School | 1965 |
| 54 | Summer Term at the Chalet School | 1965 |
| 55 | Challenge for the Chalet School | 1966 |
| 56 | Two Sams at the Chalet School | 1967 |
| 57 | Althea Joins the Chalet School | 1969 |
| 58 | Prefects of the Chalet School | 1970 |
Paperback Editions
The novels were re-released in paperback. This happened between 1967 and 1995. The language was often updated for new readers. Some books were shortened, and chapters were sometimes removed. A few books were even split into two parts. Some titles were also changed.
| Original Hardback Title | Paperback Title | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | The Chalet School and the Lintons | The Chalet School and the Lintons A Rebel at the Chalet School |
| 13 | The New Chalet School | The New Chalet School A United Chalet School |
| 15 | The Chalet School Goes to It | The Chalet School at War |
| 17 | Lavender Laughs in the Chalet School | Lavender Leigh at the Chalet School |
| 18 | Gay From China at the Chalet School | Gay Lambert at the Chalet School |
| 35 | A Genius at the Chalet School | A Genius at the Chalet School Chalet School Fête |
| 44 | Ruey Richardson: Chaletian | Ruey Richardson at the Chalet School |
Other Books in the Series
There are also other books related to the Chalet School.
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| The Chalet Book for Girls (includes The Mystery at the Chalet School) |
1947 |
| The Second Chalet Book for Girls (includes Tom Tackles the Chalet School, part 1) |
1948 |
| The Third Chalet Book for Girls (includes Tom Tackles the Chalet School, part 2) |
1949 |
| The Chalet School and Rosalie | 1951 |
| The Chalet Girls' Cookbook | 1953 |
| The Chalet Club News Letter Book | 2004 |
| Elinor M Brent Dyer's Short Stories | 2005 |
Books by Other Authors
Many other authors have written stories set in the Chalet School world. Some of these books continue the story after the original series ended. Others fill in gaps in the earlier years of the school. Most of these books are published by Girls Gone By Publishers.
Stories Before the School Started
These books tell what happened before the Chalet School was founded.
- Before the Chalet School: The Bettanys on the Home Front – Helen Barber (2015)
- The Bettanys of Taverton High – Helen Barber (2008)
- Last Term at Taverton High – Helen Barber (2018)
New Stories within the Original Timeline
Many new stories have been written that fit into the timeline of the original Chalet School books. These are often called "fill-in" novels.
- Joey and Patricia: A Reunion in Guernsey – Helen McClelland (2000)
- Gillian of the Chalet School – Carol Allan (2001, 2006, 2018)
- The Chalet School and Robin – Caroline German (2003, 2012)
- A Chalet School Headmistress – Helen Barber (2004, 2017)
- Visitors for the Chalet School – Helen McClelland (2004)
- Hilda Annersley: Headmistress – Lesley Green (2005)
- Peace Comes to the Chalet School – Katherine Bruce (2005)
- Juliet of the Chalet School – Caroline German (2006)
- Two Chalet School Girls in India – Priyadarshini Narendra (2006)
- Cornelia of the Chalet School – Jackie Roberts (2009)
- The Guides of the Chalet School – Jane Berry (2009)
- Deira Joins the Chalet School – Caroline German (2010)
- A Difficult Term for the Chalet School – Lisa Townsend (2011)
- The Müller Twins at the Chalet School – Katherine Bruce (2012)
- Champion of the Chalet School – Adrianne Fitzpatrick (2014)
- Surprises for the Chalet School – Jackie Roberts (2014)
- Joey and Co in Canada – Jackie Roberts (2016)
- Juniors of the Chalet School – Katherine Bruce (2016)
- Sisters at the Chalet School – Amy Fletcher (2017)
- The Chalet School Annexe – Adrianne Fitzpatrick (2018)
- The Chalet School and Cornelia – Katherine Bruce (2019)
- A Refuge for the Chalet School – Amy Fletcher (2019)
- The Bettany Twins and the Chalet School - Helen Barber (2020)
- The Chalet School in Guernsey – Katherine Bruce (2020)
Stories After the Series Ends
These books continue the story after the last original Chalet School book.
- Chalet Girls Grow Up – Merryn Williams (1998)
- New Beginnings at the Chalet School – Heather Paisley (1999, 2002)
- Nicola Goes To The Oberland – Josephine M. Hardman (2010)
- The Chalet School Librarian – Pat Willimott (2005)
Story Collections
These books are collections of stories. They take place at different times throughout the series.
- The Chalet School Christmas Story Book - Various authors (2007)
- Chalet School World – Helen Barber (2013)
