Dorothea Moore (1880–1933)
Author of Judy, Patrol Leader
About the Author
Series
Works by Dorothea Moore
En flicka med ruter i 2 copies
13 Three Bridges Street 2 copies
Smuggler's way 1 copy
The Girls' Budget 1 copy
A Rebel of the Third 1 copy
Upprorsmakerskan 1 copy
Selvage 1 copy
Darry the Dauntless 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Other names
- Moore, Dorothea Mary
- Birthdate
- 1880-02-27
- Date of death
- 1933-05-19
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Godolphin School, Salisbury
Cheltenham Ladies College - Occupations
- playwright
novelist
historical novelist
young adult writer
girls' school story author
Girl Guide story author - Organizations
- Girl Guides
Voluntary Aid Detachment - Short biography
- Dorothea Moore was born in the borough of Islington, London, England, the daughter of a clergyman and his wife. She was educated at the Godolphin School in Salisbury and Cheltenham Ladies' College. During World War I, she served in the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) and settled in Eastbourne afterward, keeping house for her brother, a physician. Miss Moore was a prolific writer, producing popular books for young people, especially girls. These included historical novels, tales of girls at school, and stories about Girl Guides. She is credited with writing the first Guiding story for girls, Terry the Girl Guide (1930). She herself was an adult Guider from 1918 to 1927, and ran a Brownie pack from 1918 to 1928. Two of Miss Moore's plays, My Lady Bellamy and Grey Mask, were performed by a professional acting troupe, the Alexander Maclean Company, and it's possible that she also toured with them.
- Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Islington, London, England, UK
- Places of residence
- Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Eastbourne, Sussex, England, UK - Place of death
- London, England, UK
- Associated Place (for map)
- England, UK
Members
Reviews
Two young children set out on a dangerous Christmas Eve mission in this historical adventure story set in the English Fens in the late 18th-century. Twin siblings Noel and Noelle (nicknamed Sis), known as the Christmas Children as they had been born on Christmas Eve, were the offspring of kindly Parson Compton, and were devoted to their nurse and housekeeper Molly, who had cared for them and their father since the death of their mother shortly after their birth. When Molly's intended show more bridegroom Sedge, the local blacksmith and a personal favorite of theirs, is arrested by cruel Sir Julian, and charged with horse theft, the children are dismayed, and determined to do something about it. Setting out to the old dilapidated mill in the middle of the Fens, they seek the help of Mother Cobb, and of the smugglers who truly have the stolen horse. All does not go quite as planned however, and soon they find they must warn Sir Julian of a plot to lead him to a terrible death. Their actions in warning him, and the conduct of an escaped Sedge, who comes to all of their rescue when the sea walls cave in, flooding the area, lead to a very happy ending for all...
Originally published in 1909 as The Christmas Children: A Story of the Marshes, and then subsequently reprinted in 1932 as The Children of the Marshes, this slim sixty-four-page volume is one I picked up at this time, thinking it a holiday tale. On the whole I would say it was not, despite the Christmas Eve setting, but I was not disappointed, for all of that. I found it an engrossing (if brief) read, and thought that the latter half of the tale, in particular, in which Sir Julian, the children and Sedge must all cling to the wooden pilings that remain, while the sea washes over them, rising ever higher, was quite gripping. Although never in any real doubt of the outcome, given the sort of book this is, there was still a great deal of narrative tension, which I credit to author Dorothea Moore's writing. I'm familiar with Moore, given her contribution to the school story genre (she is profiled in Sue Sims and Hilary Clare's The Encyclopaedia of Girls' School Stories), but this is the first of her books I have read. I think it will not be the last however, given how enjoyable this one was—I will have to try and seek out more of her books in the coming year, as well as other stories set in the Fens, which make a fascinating background and setting! Recommended to young readers who enjoy adventure stories, particularly those with a historical setting. show less
Originally published in 1909 as The Christmas Children: A Story of the Marshes, and then subsequently reprinted in 1932 as The Children of the Marshes, this slim sixty-four-page volume is one I picked up at this time, thinking it a holiday tale. On the whole I would say it was not, despite the Christmas Eve setting, but I was not disappointed, for all of that. I found it an engrossing (if brief) read, and thought that the latter half of the tale, in particular, in which Sir Julian, the children and Sedge must all cling to the wooden pilings that remain, while the sea washes over them, rising ever higher, was quite gripping. Although never in any real doubt of the outcome, given the sort of book this is, there was still a great deal of narrative tension, which I credit to author Dorothea Moore's writing. I'm familiar with Moore, given her contribution to the school story genre (she is profiled in Sue Sims and Hilary Clare's The Encyclopaedia of Girls' School Stories), but this is the first of her books I have read. I think it will not be the last however, given how enjoyable this one was—I will have to try and seek out more of her books in the coming year, as well as other stories set in the Fens, which make a fascinating background and setting! Recommended to young readers who enjoy adventure stories, particularly those with a historical setting. show less
Heartwarming stuff. Very much of its day, reflecting an era where working class people were seen as either horrible or almost slaves; you could become a Guide by reading a book pretty much and orphans got adopted just like that. I found nostalgia for the days of 'Empire' but also disappointment because Empire was never the wonderful one-sided bliss that it's made out to be. Anyway, sweet characters, funny bits, and scary stuff that is always ok in the end.
Larry is the tenth girl in her family to attend Trinders and is determined not to enjoy it, but she soon finds herself making friends with some interesting girls. Together they get into all sorts of adventures and scrapes.
Not in good condition, but has a book plate for Holy Trinity Sunday Schools, Catechism Division...Edith Gallop, 2nd prize in class for regular attendance and good conduct, C.Knight, Vicar, Christmas 1921
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- Works
- 65
- Also by
- 2
- Members
- 310
- Popularity
- #76,068
- Rating
- 3.4
- Reviews
- 4
- ISBNs
- 12