The last book of the original St Clare's series, Fifth Formers of St Clare's always leaves the story feeling a little incomplete. However, this is another great book, almost on par with Claudine at St Clare's.
Now that the girls are grown up, they can have studies of their own, and have fun pairing up with each other. Alison and Angela make an admirable pair, but soon enough, it becomes obvious that Angela is going to abuse the power she is now given as a fifth former. The St Clare's custom of having young girls fagging for the older ones now gets a more realistic turn with Angela and her demands and misuse of the younger girls' time and feelings.
Surprisingly, abuse of power is also done by another person - Mirabel! Made sports captain, this previously much-loved and much-admired girl soon manages to turn the entire school against her! How does she manage to get out of such a mess? Interestingly, both power abusers end up in a feud as well!
Poetry is in the air! With a new English mistress, Ms Wilcox and a new girl, Anne-Marie, both poets, the form is about to have some good fun. Would Miss Wilcox help Anne-Marie or would they be at odds? Alison, this term, worshipping, Miss Wilcox, finds reason for a feud with Anne-Marie. And the girls, obviously, react to these poetic goings-on with some trepidation.
But the depth to this book is given by Alma Pudden. Dropped down from the sixth form because of various troubles, she is a fat girl, whose only interest in life seems to be eating. I found this plot handled pretty sensitively (for Enid) and despite Alma getting into serious trouble because of her craving for food, we are given to see that it is not her fault. It is ultimately the rest of the girls who are told to show sensitivity, practically unheard of in St Clare's!
I really enjoyed this book, especially since Claudine's younger sister, Antoinette, also joins the school, making for a double dose of fun!