The Corner House Girls at School

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21034

Title

The Corner House Girls at School

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Grace Brooks Hill's charming tale follows four orphaned sisters at the Corner House as they navigate their first year of school in Milton. Blending humor with heart, the story introduces a mischievous goat, a circus boy seeking a better life, and the warmth of community. Ideal for young readers seeking wholesome adventures filled with friendship, resilience, and holiday cheer.

Summary up to 500 words

In Grace Brooks Hill's *The Corner House Girls at School*, four orphaned sisters—Tess, Agnes, Ruth, and Dot Kenway—navigate life in a dilapidated colonial mansion with their Aunt Sarah and housekeeper Mrs. MacCall. Their domestic peace is disrupted by the arrival of Billy Bumps, a stubborn goat gifted by the mischievous Sam Pinkney. The animal's antics, particularly his destruction of Mrs. MacCall's prized stockings, create immediate household chaos, though the girls eventually accept him as a companion alongside Mr. Con Murphy's friendly pig. The narrative expands beyond the Kenway household to include Neale O'Neil, a circus boy living with the cobbler Mr. Murphy. Despite his uncle, the lion tamer Mr. Sorber, wanting Neale to remain in the circus, the boy harbors a deep desire for education. The story intertwines the girls' anticipation of returning to Milton High School with Neale's struggle for a future. A pivotal moment occurs during a snowy Christmas party hosted by Carrie Poole. After the festivities, a blizzard traps the girls and Neale on a dangerous shortcut, testing their courage and trust in one another. The climax resolves Neale's fate when Mr. Murphy offers to buy him from the circus to fund his schooling. Initially resistant, Mr. Sorber eventually relents, recognizing Neale's potential and the boy's own aspirations. This agreement secures Neale's freedom from the circus and allows him to pursue an education, a victory celebrated by the Corner House girls. The novel weaves themes of family, friendship, poverty, and the transformative power of education into a lighthearted, episodic tale featuring neighborhood antics and animal mischief. The book concludes with a promise of further adventures in the sequel, *The Corner House Girls Under Canvas*.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/21034.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg21034.epub

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Categories

• Religion
• Fiction
• Family Life