What do you think?
Rate this book
The Chalet School in Peril
328 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 15, 2026
This is a “fill-in” story to Elinor Brent-Dyer’s Chalet School series. The story covers the same time as “The Chalet School in Exile”. This period of time in the Chalet series is its most interesting and exciting, as it covers the beginnings of war and the effect this has on the school. This story expands the CS world during this tumultuous time, bringing excellent detail regarding the school’s move to the Sonnalpe, and how they navigate the difficulties of running an English school under Nazi control.
The story opens with the return of the students, focusing on Elizabeth Arnett and the problematic Betty. While there is a bit of mischief on their parts, much of the story deals with the logistics of everyday life. There are many references to real historical events and people, including the Anschluss, and the tightening Nazi net. It is during this time that the girls get the idea for the Peace League. Many sad events occur, as the native German and Austrian girls are forced to leave, and the school is harassed by local Nazi officials. Once Jo and the others have to flee after the events in Spartz, the school makes plans to pack everything up, knowing they will be forced to leave. Mr. Flower (Corney’s father) plays an important role in helping to save the school and certain individuals. They do their best to thwart the Nazi threat, including finding a way to destroy the records of all the German and Austrian students without the Nazis knowing. They are successful in getting as many people to safety as possible, and though the story is bittersweet, it ends on a hopeful note and we know the school will rise again. It really showcases the best of the characters EBD created.
While somewhat somber in tone, the story is excellent and really gives a feel for what it was like for those left behind after the party in “Exile” makes their escape. Very realistic in all its depictions, with Bruce’s usual exceptional attention to detail, the story from the perspective of those left behind is equivalent with the very best of EBD’s works. As in most GGBP editions, it includes a forward and extensive afterward with timeline with plenty of interesting information.
This is a don’t miss.
The story opens with the return of the students, focusing on Elizabeth Arnett and the problematic Betty. While there is a bit of mischief on their parts, much of the story deals with the logistics of everyday life. There are many references to real historical events and people, including the Anschluss, and the tightening Nazi net. It is during this time that the girls get the idea for the Peace League. Many sad events occur, as the native German and Austrian girls are forced to leave, and the school is harassed by local Nazi officials. Once Jo and the others have to flee after the events in Spartz, the school makes plans to pack everything up, knowing they will be forced to leave. Mr. Flower (Corney’s father) plays an important role in helping to save the school and certain individuals. They do their best to thwart the Nazi threat, including finding a way to destroy the records of all the German and Austrian students without the Nazis knowing. They are successful in getting as many people to safety as possible, and though the story is bittersweet, it ends on a hopeful note and we know the school will rise again. It really showcases the best of the characters EBD created.
While somewhat somber in tone, the story is excellent and really gives a feel for what it was like for those left behind after the party in “Exile” makes their escape. Very realistic in all its depictions, with Bruce’s usual exceptional attention to detail, the story from the perspective of those left behind is equivalent with the very best of EBD’s works. As in most GGBP editions, it includes a forward and extensive afterward with timeline with plenty of interesting information.
This is a don’t miss.
June 9, 2026
This is the book I didn't know I was missing. An excellent fill-in, it answers the question: what happened to those left behind when Joey and Company were forced to escape? But it begins earlier, as the school moves into a hotel building on the Sonnalpe, and some of the middles behave as middles always do. Highly recommended.
June 9, 2026
A wonderful fill in.
Katherine did a great job of conveying the tension and fears of the adults and children. it really adds to the series.
Katherine did a great job of conveying the tension and fears of the adults and children. it really adds to the series.
May 30, 2026
The author really seems to get under the skin of the characters in the books so that identifying their thoughts and actions comes naturally to her. A very compelling story that draws on EBD and a convincing entry in the series.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews