Subject
Boarding schools -- Fiction Books
Best books
Charles Dickens
Nicholas Nickleby
"Nicholas Nickleby" by Charles Dickens is a novel originally published as a serial from 1838 to 1839. After his father's death, young Nicholas must support his mother and sister, seeking help from their wealthy but cold-hearted uncle Ralph. When Ralph sends Nicholas to a brutal Yorkshire boarding school, he witnesses terrible cruelty and befriends an abused servant boy named Smike. Their escape sets off a chain of events involving theatrical troupes, harassment, schemes, and dark family secrets that will test Nicholas's courage and determination.
Jean Webster
Daddy-Long-Legs
"Daddy-Long-Legs" by Jean Webster is an epistolary novel published in 1912. It follows Jerusha "Judy" Abbott, a spirited orphan sent to college by a mysterious benefactor she has never met. Through monthly letters addressed to the anonymous "Mr. John Smith," Judy chronicles her journey from institutional life to higher education, discovering friendship, culture, and self-discovery. As she transforms from orphan to aspiring writer, the identity of her tall, shadowy patron—whom she playfully calls Daddy-Long-Legs—remains tantalizingly unknown.
Louisa May Alcott
Little Men: Life at Plumfield With Jo's Boys
"Little Men: Life at Plumfield With Jo's Boys" by Louisa May Alcott is a children's novel published in 1871. This sequel to "Little Women" follows Jo Bhaer and her husband as they run an unconventional school at Plumfield. Young orphan Nat Blake arrives to find a world where pillow fights are scheduled, children tend gardens and pets, and learning happens through experience rather than strict rules. As new students arrive and friendships form, the boys navigate lessons in honesty, kindness, and responsibility under Jo's compassionate guidance.
Louisa May Alcott
Jo's Boys
"Jo's Boys" by Louisa May Alcott is a novel published in 1886. The final book in the Little Women series follows the March sisters' children and Plumfield's original students as they navigate adulthood. Ten years after "Little Men," these young people pursue careers, seek love, and face real-world challenges. Some choose marriage while others embrace independence. From medical school to the sea, from prison to the stage, their paths diverge as they discover who they'll become and what they truly value.
P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
Mike
"Mike" by P. G. Wodehouse is a school story published in 1909. The novel follows Michael "Mike" Jackson, youngest son of a celebrated cricketing family, through his adventures at Wrykyn school. His natural talent and rebellious spirit lead to both triumphs and troubles on the cricket field. When poor grades force a transfer to smaller Sedleigh school, Mike meets the eccentric Rupert Psmith, and together they navigate new challenges while avoiding the sport that once defined Mike's identity.
Jean Webster
Daddy-Long-Legs
"Daddy-Long-Legs" by Jean Webster is an epistolary novel published in 1912. It follows Jerusha "Judy" Abbott, an orphan sent to college by a mysterious benefactor she has never seen. Through monthly letters addressed to the anonymous "Daddy-Long-Legs," Judy chronicles her transformation from institutionalized orphan to educated young woman. As she navigates college life, friendships, and her dreams of becoming a writer, Judy remains unaware of her benefactor's true identity—a revelation that will ultimately change everything.
Louisa May Alcott
Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys
"Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys" by Louisa May Alcott is a children's novel published in 1871. This sequel to "Little Women" follows Jo Bhaer and her husband as they run an unconventional school at Plumfield. Young orphan Nat Blake arrives to find a place where pillow fights are scheduled, children tend gardens and pets, and learning combines book education with moral lessons and nature. As diverse students navigate friendships, mischief, and growing pains, the Bhaers guide them through experiences that challenge traditional schooling methods.
Francis Brett Young
The Young Physician
"The Young Physician" by Francis Brett Young is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows the life of a young boy named Edwin Ingleby as he navigates his formative experiences at a public school, including struggles with bullying, friendships, and the challenges of growing up. As Edwin grapples with his identity and social status, the narrative explores themes of courage, self-discovery, and the impact of external influences on one's sense of self. The opening of the novel presents a vivid depiction of Edwin's surroundings as he walks along the aptly named "Murderer's Cross Road," reflecting on his fears concerning a bully named Griffin. The narrative introduces Edwin as a thoughtful and imaginative boy, contrasting his daydreams with the harsh realities of school life. Edwin’s initial moments are marked by his sense of isolation and yearning for acceptance, as he recalls his awkward first day at St. Luke's School, where he encounters an array of personalities, from friendly peers to unkind bullies. The writing immerses readers in Edwin’s inner thoughts and emotions, setting the stage for his coming-of-age journey against a backdrop of school life, social hierarchies, and personal aspirations.
P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
Mike and Psmith
"Mike and Psmith" by P. G. Wodehouse is a comedic novel written during the early 20th century. The story revolves around two main characters, Mike Jackson and Psmith, who navigate the challenges of school life at Sedleigh, a modest English school viewed by Mike as a demotion from his previous prestigious institution, Wrykyn. The book captures the humorous interplay between individual aspirations and the often absurd constraints of the educational environment. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Mike and his disdain for his new school, Sedleigh, upon receiving a dismal school report that prompts his father to transfer him. Late for breakfast, Mike learns of his father's displeasure through the aftermath of an angry confrontation regarding his academic performance. This creates immediate tension as Mike grapples with the prospect of attending Sedleigh, a place he deems inferior and void of the exciting cricket atmosphere he enjoyed at Wrykyn. As he arrives at Sedleigh, he meets Psmith, a quirky and comical character introduced as a new student from Eton, who adds a layer of intrigue and humor to Mike's bleak outlook on his situation. Together, they forge an unexpected camaraderie, leading to a series of amusing escapades as they confront their new school life.
Zsigmond Móricz
Légy jó mindhalálig
"Légy jó mindhalálig" by Zsigmond Móricz is a novel set in 1892. Eleven-year-old Misi Nyilas, a top student at a Reformed college in Debrecen, comes from an impoverished family but earns respect through his intelligence and integrity. When he loses a lottery receipt entrusted to him, the honest boy becomes trapped in a web of lies and adult intrigues. Facing a tribunal that threatens to destroy him, Misi confronts human cruelty and injustice while clinging to his belief in goodness.
Henry S. (Henry St. Clair) Whitehead
The trap
"The Trap" by Henry S. Whitehead and H. P. Lovecraft is a short story written in the early 20th century. This eerie tale revolves around a mysterious antique mirror that serves as a portal to another dimension, turning what initially appears to be an ordinary object into the foundation for horror and intrigue. The story deals with themes of otherworldly experiences and the consequences of curiosity, as well as the influence of dark forces that dwell within seemingly mundane objects. The narrative follows the protagonist, Canevin, who stumbles upon an antique mirror in an abandoned estate and later brings it to a school where he tutors. Soon after his arrival, one of his students, Robert Grandison, disappears under strange circumstances. As Canevin investigates the mirror and its peculiar effects, he discovers that Robert has become trapped in a trans-dimensional prison inside the mirror, where time and physical attributes are distorted. Through telepathic communication, Robert reveals the existence of other trapped souls and the malevolent force of Axel Holm, the mirror's creator, who had sought immortality through dark magic. Ultimately, Canevin devises a risky plan to free Robert and destroy the malevolent mirror, leading to a dramatic escape and the revelation of lingering side effects from their surreal ordeal.
Raul Pompéia
O Atheneu (chronica de saudades)
"O Atheneu (chronica de saudades)" by Raul Pompéia is a novel published in 1888. This impressionistic work follows young Sérgio as he enters the Ateneu, a prestigious boarding school in Rio de Janeiro ruled by the rigid director Aristarco. Separated from his family's protection, Sérgio discovers a harsh microcosm where strength prevails over compassion. Through betrayals, troubled friendships, and disillusionment, he confronts the brutal realities of an institution that mirrors Brazilian society's darker aspects at the century's end.
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