Anne Digby (1) (1943–)

{Fourteenth of 14 in Trebizon series; children's, boarding school stories, girls, adventure, school stories}(1994)

The last book in the series starts right after the end of the previous book, with the Trebizon friends on the boat returning from their exchange trip to Paris. They have a lot of studying to do as their GCSE exams are coming up this term. A lot of their Garth college friends have A Levels or GCSEs to sit as well, and Rebecca's friend Cliff has his GCSEs as well. Meanwhile, the girls discover that Mulberry Cove and Mulberry Island are up for sale which could seriously curtail the School's activities on the beach and will mean the closure of the sailing school which they use in summer unless the Action Committee can do something about it. And after the exams, their French exchange friends will be returning the visit in time for the Commemoration Ball and to go home with them for the holidays - during which they will all receive their exam results, after Rebecca's sixteenth birthday.

This book is as full of action as ever while retaining a fairly realistic focus on school life. It ends with most of the beloved characters getting the results they were hoping for and looking forward to a future of possibilities and with Rebecca looking forward to her last two years of school in the Sixth forms. It would have been nice if Digby had closed out the series by taking her to the end of her school career but it leaves Rebecca and her friends in a good place, and with a certain friendship moving on a step.

Although most of the series was a re-read for me, I hadn't read this book before. When I first read the series of the four styles of covers the books I read were the earlier two, more realistic ones (Richard Jones is the only name I can find) which I've always liked and I still think they hold up well although Lucy Truman's covers for the reissue are fun too.

(January 2023)
4 stars… (more)

Princess Bee has never really seen her kingdom. Sure, she's ridden with her parents during the parades, but she's still to small to see out of the windows. Even the citizens have never seen more than the tip of her tiara which peeks over the edge. Only one man has caught sight of her because he makes sure to wear stilts so he can peer down and smile at her. But Princess Bee has noticed that one of the servants, in particular, has days off...something a princess never has. And this servant wears ordinary clothes and goes into town to do ordinary things. Princess Bee may not be able to sneak out of the castle, but she's determined to, at least, wear ordinary clothes.

This book makes a perfect read aloud for ages 4 to 8, or a great first reader for those more sure and comfortable in their reading skills. Princess Bee is a sweet princess, never spoiled, and wonderfully curious about life. She never gets snotty or snippy but is determined. She makes mistakes, admits to them, and tries her best no matter what. In other words, she's a princess to cheer for and easy to connect to despite her tiara.

The story moves along at a wonderful pace, bringing new twists at just the right moment. It appears to be a simple tale at first, but the well worked plot grabs and hooks until the very end. There are a handful of simple but bright illustrations, which add something to look at but add little to the story. Nor do they need to. Princess Bee does run into troubles, and it's impossible not to feel for her as she tries to find footing in an ordinary world she doesn't understand. There's friendship, kindness, and simply clever moments at guarantee many smiles.

I received a complimentary copy and was so caught up in this cute story that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.… (more)