First Time At Fernside by Sheena Wilkinson is a fictional adventure book about girls in a boarding school called Fernside. Robins’ younger cousin Linnet has just started school at Fernside and is already homesick, there are just too many strict rules, new faces and confusing timetables for her to handle. Luckily Linnet has Robin to help her settle in and her own secret place to hide.
When pets and animals start to disappear it’s up to the four friends Linnet, Robin, Fran and Sadie to find out where the animals are going. When Rowanbank, the house next to the school is sold, the girls in Fernside are wondering what’s going on there. There’s a mystery to solve!
The book is a really good book especially for adventure, animal lovers and people who like the Malory Tower novels. I loved the book overall; it was very intriguing. I really liked the way all the girls work together to solve the problems and always help each other. I also like the way that Robin is honest, helpful and determined. I didn’t dislike any of the book and I’d be happy to read the book again.
My favourite part of the book, was when Robin and Linnet’s class, the lower fourth, went out on a hike and when Robin noticed that Sadie was getting tired, she asked Miss Taylor could she bring Sadie back then Linnet and Babs offered to come back to help them. I thought that was very kind.
I would recommend this book for 10- to 12-year-olds. I think this age bracket would really enjoy it. I found it easy to read and very enjoyable, I would read the next book in this series. I would rate the book 10 stars out of 10.
By Amy Rose, 5th class, Knockavilla NS, Co Tipperary
“First Term at Fernside ” by Sheena Wilkinson, published by O’ Brien Press, is on sale now for €9.99 (P/B).
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.
