Peggy Stewart at School

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22113

Title

Peggy Stewart at School

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In the sweltering heat of September, fifteen-year-old Peggy Stewart returns to her Maryland estate, Severndale, after a transformative year away. Her father, Captain Stewart, struggles to reconnect with his now-grown daughter, while household staff clash with a new, unconventional guest. The narrative follows Peggy's adventures at Columbia Heights School, where she and her friend Polly demonstrate remarkable horsemanship and leadership. When a fire threatens the school, Peggy's quick thinking and loyalty to her animals save the day, highlighting themes of...

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the sweltering heat of a September in Maryland, *Peggy Stewart at School* by Gabrielle E. Jackson introduces the fifteen-year-old Peggy Stewart, daughter of Captain Neil Stewart. Having spent the previous year traveling and attending school, Peggy has returned to her home, Severndale, where her father is perplexed by her sudden maturity. The household is further unsettled by the arrival of her aunt, Mrs. Stewart, who brings a bad-tempered poodle that clashes with Peggy's beloved wolfhound, Tzaritza, and Persian cat, Sultana. The old housekeeper, Jerome, also disapproves of the new guest, viewing her as lacking proper breeding. Peggy spends her days at Columbia Heights School, where she and her chum Polly Howland excel at horseback riding. They treat their animals with intelligence and affection, often baffling traditional instructors like Dawson who struggle to keep up with the girls' advanced skills. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a fire breaks out in the school's west wing. While chaos ensues and students flee, Peggy remains remarkably calm, directing the evacuation using bugle calls she had taught her classmates. Amidst the smoke and flames, a teacher, Miss Sturgis, foolishly returns to her burning room to save a photograph. Tzaritza risks her life to rescue the teacher, dragging her to safety before being severely burned herself. Peggy and Polly bravely use a blanket to smother the flames on the dog, saving her life. The fire destroys the west wing, including the commencement gowns and essays, canceling the graduation ceremony. However, the crisis underscores the girls' bravery and their deep bond with their animals. The story concludes with the aftermath of the fire, the arrival of parents, and the decision to move the girls to Severndale for the remainder of the term. Through this ordeal, Peggy proves her leadership and maturity, solidifying her role as a capable young woman ready to face the world.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Fiction
• Military Fiction
• Regional Fiction
• Education Fiction