Heidi Grows Up facts for kids

Heidi Grows Up is a book from 1938. It is a sequel (which means it continues the story) to the famous 1881 novel Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Charles Tritten, who translated Spyri's books into French and English, wrote Heidi Grows Up. He decided to write it because Johanna Spyri had passed away and never wrote a sequel herself.

The book was first published in Paris in 1936. It came out in New York in 1938. Jean Coquillot created the illustrations for the book.

Heidi Grows Up was followed by three more sequels. Heidi's Children came out one year later. The two other novels were never translated into English.

What Happens in Heidi Grows Up?

Heidi's School Adventures

Heidi's grandfather wants her to get a good education. He sends her to a boarding school called Hawthorn. At first, Heidi finds it hard to follow all the rules. The headmistress, Miss Smith, notices this.

However, Heidi soon makes friends with many students from other countries. During a summer break, Heidi invites one of her new friends, Jamy, to visit her on the Alm. The Alm is the mountain pasture where Heidi grew up. Miss Smith agrees to go along as a chaperone.

Mountain Fun and a Scary Storm

On the Alm, Miss Smith waits for the next train. Jamy loses her necklace, and they cannot find it. Later, Jamy sees Peter's goats dancing near Dorfli. Peter introduces a new baby goat named Baerli.

The next morning, Heidi meets her grandfather again. He agrees to let Heidi and Jamy go with Peter to the goat pasture. Peter leads the girls to the top of a nearby mountain peak. Many goats follow them easily. But one goat, Distlefink, gets into a dangerous spot. Peter, Heidi, and Jamy work together to rescue him.

A while later, Heidi and Jamy go down the mountain to get supplies. While they are gone, dark clouds cover the mountains and move towards the village. The storm reaches them, and they end up staying at Reboux's mansion. A big storm breaks out.

A Fire and New Beginnings

Suddenly, someone announces that Heidi's grandfather's house is on fire! Heidi runs out, calling his name. Peter and the others follow her. Heidi finds her grandfather grieving under the fir trees.

In the days that follow, the grandfather and other villagers make plans. They rebuild almost the entire house. They even add many improvements. During the rest of the summer, Heidi's grandfather tells her and Jamy exciting legends. Jamy loves these stories.

Later, at the school graduation, Heidi receives good wishes. She also gets a special mission: to cheer up prisoners.

Heidi as an Adult

As an adult, Heidi becomes a certified teacher. For a few lonely days, no children arrive at her school. Then, one child breaks a flowerpot and disappears the next day. Heidi asks the villagers where he went.

One night, Peter tells her he found the child. The next day, they find the child in a cave. It turns out the child ran away because the previous teacher put him and other children in a "school dungeon." Heidi had discovered this "dungeon" earlier. The child is eventually well-dressed and returns to school. The "dungeon" is changed back into closets.

Peter wonders if Heidi can take care of her grandfather while working. Jamy offers to take Heidi's place if needed. But then, Heidi's grandfather falls ill. He promises to recover, and he does!

Peter asks Heidi to marry him. Peter, Heidi, and the villagers of Dorfli plan a wedding. Peter wears his green Sunday suit. Jamy leads a children's choir of school students. Other guests include Heidi's old friend, Clara, who has grown into "quite a woman," and Jamy's little sister, Martha. But the couple quietly leaves their wedding to watch the sun set together.