First Term at Fernside

a joy from first to last, with all the best-loved features of Blyton's school stories – dorm japes and fearsome matrons – but a refreshingly modern sensibility and diverse cast, all whilst managing to remain historically faithful. I think readers will delight in chaotic Linnet's literal; interpretations and accidental bravado, and warm to kindhearted Robin as she warms to her cousin Linnet in turn. An instant classic

-- Joanna Nadin

a real page-turner that reads like a classic boarding school story, but written from a contemporary point of view. The characters are very well drawn, and the girls' individual personalities and secret tragedies bring each one to unforgettable life. The loneliness as well as the fun of being at boarding school is so realistic, and the way the girls pull together as a team is heart-warming. Readers will no doubt find themselves completely believing in the world that Sheena Wilkinson conjures up, and being as unwilling to leave it as the girls are to leave Fernside at the end of their first term

-- Leila Rasheed

With a curriculum covering everything from buttery toast, cute pets and team sports, to daring escapades, forging friendships and boarding-school rules that are made to be broken, First Term at Fernside is a book every young reader should smuggle into their back-pack. Top marks for a terrific and masterfully-written boarding-school adventure about friendship, empathy and bravery

-- Eve McDonnell

full of quirky, fun characters struggling with everything from fitting in and making the school netball team to a mysterious animal-napper. Sheena Wilkinson has created a fabulously rich, impeccably researched historical mystery that overflows with friendship and compassion. Perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike

-- Alison Weatherby

pitch-perfect – the reader is immediately drawn into a classic school story narrative, only to discover that this is not a run-of-the-mill school story … a complete homage to the classic school story … with so much that is fresh and relevant for contemporary readers

-- Pádraic Whyte, associate professor in children’s literature

Perfect for fans of Malory Towers

-- Judi Curtin

What better way to prepare for the return to school than to immerse yourself in a fine boarding-school story. Sheena Wilkinson steps confidently into the tradition perfected by Enid Blyton with First Term at Fernside. Set in 1925 at the eponymous Belfast boarding school, it features two chalk-and-cheese cousins as its twin protagonists. Robin, an avid hockey player, is thrilled to be returning to Fernside after the summer. Her shy cousin Linnet, leaving home for the first time, isn’t quite so excited. She finds dorm life “crowded, noisy and bouncing”; it is “like living in an ant colony”. Wholesome storylines centred on building moral character abound. There are animals to be rescued, misunderstood new students to accommodate with kindness, games to be won. There are stern matrons, firm but fair teachers, and the odd rotten apple, of course. The writing is vivid, and the book feels fresh and contemporary despite the historic setting. There is a massive appetite for this type of book and First Term at Fernside will satisfy it well

-- Irish Times

this story has it all …. readers will be enthralled

-- Inis Magazine, Ailish Brassil

a nostalgic journey back to a 1920s girls' boarding school in Northern Ireland. Drawing inspiration from classic school stories by Enid Blyton and Elinor Brent-Dyer, Wilkinson has written a tale that intertwines mystery with the everyday adventures of school life. The girls rise with the bell, study their prep and play games, while learning life lessons and solving the mystery of their reclusive neighbour. A simple look at the cover will be enough to bring the period to mind. The author masterfully evokes the era’s atmosphere, immersing the reader in the traditions, challenges, and camaraderie typical of a 1920s boarding school. The setting is brought to life through detailed descriptions of the school’s routines and the surrounding Northern Irish landscape. Fans of Blyton and Brent-Dyer will enjoy the emphasis on loyalty, friendship, and the simple pleasures of school life. Wilkinson’s attention to historical detail - one of the girls lost her father to the War, and the mystery of next door involves a survivor - not only enriches the story but also adds an authentic layer that grounds the characters’ experiences in a real and vivid world … I'm really hoping this turns into a series and we'll get to meet plenty more girls and teachers … Themes of friendship, adaptation, and personal growth are woven throughout the story, as the girls face both internal and external challenges. Through their interactions, they learn valuable lessons about trust, perseverance, and the importance of understanding others. Wilkinson’s writing is both engaging and evocative, capturing the spirit of the time and the timeless appeal of boarding school adventures. Her ability to weave in a mystery while maintaining the charm of everyday school life makes the book a delightful read … First Term at Fernside is a delightful blend of nostalgia and mystery, perfect for fans of classic boarding school stories. Sheena Wilkinson’s ability to recreate the charm of the 1920s with such vividness makes this a must-read for anyone looking to revisit—or discover—the magic of old-school tales. I expect to have readers looking for more in the genre after reading this! Whether you’re a long-time fan of the genre or new to the world of boarding school stories, this book offers a refreshing and engaging journey back in time

-- Read & Reviews

 if you’re a fan of MG mysteries … you have to pick this one up

-- Alison Weatherby

with mystery, intrigue, playful pets, netball matches and secret gardens, this story has it all, as the bonds of girlhood and friendship are explored in an uplifting way

-- Children's Books Ireland’s Annual Reading Guide 2024

The generations of readers who grew up devouring a diet of boarding-school stories populated by mean mam’zelles and stuck-up siblings are well aware how dated these books are, both in language and subject matter, but what to do? Pass the cherished, dogeared books down to children and grandchildren with the caveat that the abhorrent xenophobia and elitism therein must be understood in its inter and post-war context? Steer well clear of such stories and deprive children of the enjoyment to be had by escaping to a world where strong female characters lead the way and snobs and bullies can expect to get their comeuppance? Or sanitise and modernise the stories until the soul of the originals is crushed by the PC sterilisation process? Perhaps Sheena Wilkinson has devised a better solution: A boarding- school setting; same time period, different place; minus the offensive references, but with the requisite cast of good-egg, rotten-apple, and wayward characters all learning life lessons and independence in a parent-free zone … Friendships, rivalries, triumphs, and disappointments, with a fresh touch, a diverse roll-call of characters, and a hint of mystery to boot. Belfast-born Wilkinson, a self-pro- Malory Towers and St Clare’s devotee and author of a PhD thesis on school stories for girls, has ticked all the right boxes

-- Irish Examiner, Pet O’Connell

There’s a reason that boarding school stories remain so popular, and Sheena Wilkinson, who has a PhD on the subject, understands it absolutely. First Term at Fernside feels like a classic of the genre and, though set in 1920, has a contemporary sparkle that will make it irresistible to the broadest range of today’s readers … The girls’ different personalities are very well drawn, as is the nature of the friendships formed; the confines of dorm and school enabling the acute understanding of the others’ strengths and weaknesses that only the kind of life they share can bring. It makes for exactly the kind of reading that boarding school stories offer, built on friendship, appreciation of others, self-awareness

-- Books for Keeps 5 star review

It's a girls' school story that respects the conventions but manages add a modern perspective that never feels forced or overly serious. A delicate balancing act that works beautifully … I’m already looking forward to, and hoping for, Second Term at Fernside

-- Nick Garlick's BookBlog

Secret missions, daring adventures, hidden retreats from the busy school days and true friendships made for life! Who doesn’t love a great school story…Sheena Wilkinson has a real talent for placing her readers right at the heart of her stories … more than your typical Malory Towers or Chalet School type story. It may be set in a similar time, but there are more contemporary sensibilities. Concerns for animal rights and the courage to take action, women’s rights and social issues are displayed here. A disparity between rich and poor, privileged and working class work their way subtly into the plot. It glimmers through and seeps into the lives of these girls. They think about it and they take action. Quite cleverly, too. And they have so much fun doing it, even if it gets them into a spot of bother with the school. Because of these things, while it may well be a genuine, old-style, boarding school story like the ones that inspired it, First Term at Fernside moves forward with that tradition. It becomes a story that is more relatable, more enjoyable for the contemporary reader not only building relationships within the book, but with the reader and the book itself… Delightful, compelling, thoroughly entertaining and a book that gives pause for thought; I loved it! I can’t wait for the next instalment

-- Fallen Star Stories

Get ready to go back to school with the girls at Fernside Boarding School, Belfast … In between daring rescues, secret missions and adventures there is friendship, fun and some fluffy cuddles ... a wonderful read for young children and adults alike and I hope it's the start of a new series

-- A Teachers Guide to Reading

a modern-day classic boarding school story that is brimming with warmth, friendship and adventure … an absolutely joyous read! … This is the most wonderful boarding school story set in the mid-1920s in Northern Ireland. I loved the vivid description of boarding school life: the lessons, the meals, the strict Matron, the dorms and common room, the bells and the rules to be followed – and broken … A charming, modern-day classic boarding school story with heart-warming friendships and exciting escapades … perfect for young readers of 9+

-- BookCraic

My only issue is having to wait until the next book … This is a truly cozy school tale, one I'll re-read a lot

-- Nayu’s Reading Co