by Joan Aiken
ages: 8-12
First sentence: “It was dusk — winter dusk.”
Support your local independent bookstore: buy it there!

Upon discovering that I haven’t read (it’s #58) this beloved classic, a dear friend of mine insisted upon it, even lending me her well-worn paperback copy. I couldn’t turn her down, and (sooner rather than later) got around to reading it this week.

And… I thought it was very cute. Not really hilarious, like the back said it would be, but very Noel Streatfeild kind of crossed with Roald Dahl, with a bit of Frances Hodgson Burnett thrown in.

It’s the story of two cousins: Bonnie (the rich, impulsive one) and Sylvia (the poor, sweet one). Sylvia’s parents have died and she lives with her old Aunt Jane. Aunt Jane can’t take care of her anymore, so she ships Sylvia to live with relatives at Willoughby Chase. It’s a harrowing train ride out there — the train is beset by wolves, which are common in that part of England. But, that notwithstanding, Sylvia is poised to have an enjoyable time living there, since she and Bonnie — and Bonnie’s friend Simon, a homeless boy who basically makes a living raising and selling geese — all get along swimmingly.

Enter Miss Slighcarp — Aiken has as much talent with names as Dahl does; doesn’t Slighcarp just sound evil? She’s the governess, and when Bonnie’s parents take off on a trip to the islands for Bonnie’s mother’s health, Miss Slighcarp basically takes over. (In fact, she’s in on a plot to sink the parent’s boat! The horror!) She cuts back on Bonnie and Sylvia’s freedom, she dismisses loyal servants, she’s mean, horrible, and in every way a very good Dahl villain. And things only get worse when she gets wind of Bonnie’s plan to get help: she ships Bonnie and Sylvia off to Mrs. Brisket (again: what a great name!), who runs a “orphanage” (read: workhouse) for girls. It’s only with Simon’s help that plucky Bonnie (because even though delicate, sweet Sylvia tries to be Brave, the circumstances are Too Much for her) and Sylvia are able to escape to London to get help and all the bad guys get their comeuppance.

It is a delightful romp through the English countryside, and nothing like I thought it would be. Which is a good thing, all around.