First Term at Malory Towers

by Enid Blyton

Interest age: 7+
Reading age: 8+

Published by Hachette, 2016

  • Adventure
  • Chapter books
  • Classics

About this book

For an archetypal school story, take the following: a heroine starting her first term at boarding school, wavering between fear and excitement; her classmates - some good, some not so good, some yet to reveal their real personalities; a school in a magical setting; its teachers - loved, mocked, respected or feared.

It's a tried and tested formula that works and we're rooting for Darrell Rivers as she learns to cope with her fiery temper and decide for herself which friends are genuine.

The psychology of the relationships in the North Tower dorm is naïve, but it's incredibly moral and one can see why Malory Towers remains popular. It's a cracking good, easy, read and 'the longer you stay the decenter you get'!

About the author

Enid Blyton is one of the most-loved authors in children's publishing. With over 700 titles published, Enid Blyton's stories remain timeless classics, adored by children throughout the world.

Soon after Enid Blyton was born in 1897. Throughout the 40 and 50s, Enid wrote books at a colossal pace: adventure stories, mysteries, magical stories, farming stories, stories for younger children, best-selling series like The Famous Five and Noddy...her writing knew no bounds!

Apart from breaks to play golf and spend time with her children, Enid's working week was consumed with writing new stories, correcting proofs and answering the hundreds of letters she was, by now, receiving weekly. She explained that her characters evolved organically and her stories seemed to naturally form, she described herself as "merely a sightseer, a reporter, and interpreter."

Enid fell ill with Alzheimer's disease in her old age (a disease that affects people's memory) and she died in 1963. Her spirit lives on in her books and she is remembered as one of the most-loved and celebrated children's authors.

What to read next

We know that children can get hooked on a favourite book series or author and struggle to find something they love as much, but we’re here to help.

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