The Naughtiest Girl in the School

I think this series is less well-known than Blyton's other two boarding school series (Malory Towers and St. Clare's), but it's a quite interesting and enjoyable read for children.

Unlike the more traditional girl schools in the other two series, the school in the Naughtiest Girl series, Whyteleafe, is a "progressive" boarding school, co-educational, and run as a democratic community, with the children governing themselves with some adult supervision. It's apparently inspired by a real-life school, Summerhill, which was founded in 1921.

Nevertheless, like in the author's other school series, there's a theme of the main character learning to adapt and accept the values of the school community over her own wild, spoiled ways. This was show more written in 1940, and it was a different time. Nowadays people tend to value individuality more than the embrace of the community's values. I can certainly see the value in both approaches, and perhaps a middle way would be valuable, for it is easy to go too far in both directions.

The way the children's self-government is depicted in the book is quite interesting. They do that in quite a responsible way, punishing offenders moderately and more as a way to help them than out of anger or spite. On the other hand, it can be seen, particularly from a modern perspective, as a bit overbearing. I think it's a very interesting theme to discuss with your kids after reading this together. show less

I started reading this aloud to my seven-year-old granddaughter who liked it very much. It's probably thirty years since I read the 'Naughtiest Girl' series, but it was one of my favourites as a child. I can see flaws in the writing now, of course, but still thought it a good story, with some amusing scenes, and some quite poignant ones.

The book is naturally dated (it was written around 1940) but Whyteleafe School, which the 'naughty' Elizabeth Allen attends, is an unusual school even by today's standards. Elizabeth learns a lot about herself - and while the eventual outcome is predictable, it's not obvious how it's going to come about.

Definitely recommended to children of about seven and upwards, either to read themselves or as a show more read-aloud to introduce them to this genre of school stories.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-naughtiest-girl-in-school-by-en... show less

Opening Sentence: “…“You’ll have to go to school, Elizabeth!” said Mrs Allen…”

Elizabeth is a very spoilt little girl – she plays tricks on her governesses and throws huge temper tantrums when she doesn’t get her own way. But Elizabeth throws one tantrum too many and her governess leaves – forcing Elizabeth’s parents to send her to boarding school.
Elizabeth vows to be so naughty that the school will send her home. But for the first time ever, Elizabeth has to mix with other children. And she soon learns that id she is nasty no-one will talk to her. At first she doesn’t care – but gradually she realises that maybe it is better to be nice and have friends. Does she really want to go home?

I love books were the show more character has growth – and this little girl certainly changes from the beginning to the end. I also love Enid Blyton – and haven’t yet caught up with the naughtiest girl series – I will certainly be finishing it.

My only gripe? I went to boarding school in England – and my school was no way like this one – I wish it had of been. But I was definitely a naughty girl – with a wild imagination. But unlike Elizabeth – I did have friends show less

Elizabeth Allen is 10 years old and as an only child of rich parents she has always got her own way. But after her latest governess has had enough and decides to leave, Elizabeth's parents decide to send her to a boarding school. Elizabeth does not want to go to school and decides that she's going to be the naughtiest girl there in order to get sent home.

Once arriving at the school, Elizabeth acts horribly and does everything she can to try to get her own way. However, it doesn't take her long to realise that behaving this way won't get her sent home and perhaps it is better to be nice after all...

By today's standards Elizabeth probably isn't that naughty but she is definitely selfish and acts like a spoiled brat. It was nice to see show more her behaviour change as the story went on and this would be a good story to use to teach children that being naughty doesn't mean you get your own way! show less

This book describes all the mischievous tricks Elizabeth has attempted at boarding school. This book is a bit slow, but it is worth reading. Enid Blyton includes a very unique style of writing in the book and adds great word choice to it! The "voice" of the book is well written too because it is set to a typical teenage girl who is very spoilt. This character pulls all sorts of little tricks at the school, and it's very funny to visualize the setting of it taking place. This series is worth giving a try, but I have to say that it is not a "must read"!

I read this piece as a kid in my school library and I still remember going around telling everyone how well written the protagonist was. At that age it really impressed me and I used to think the Protagonist and I were pretty similar too!

"About a girl who is spoilt and gets sent to boarding school. I love it because its so inspiring" - Pari, Year 6