First Term at Fernside Sheena Wilkinson | The O'Brien Press

A thrilling new boarding school adventure from award-winning children’s author Sheena Wilkinson.

It’s a new term at Fernside boarding school, and Robin can’t wait for fun in the dorm, playing games and maybe even winning the coveted Form Shield. But for new girl Linnet, Robin’s younger cousin, there are just too many new faces and strict rules. Luckily, she has Robin for help and her very own hideaway.

And when adorable puppy Rudy disappears, it is Linnet who is determined to find him. Even if it means dragging Robin and all her new friends headfirst into danger.

There may be daring rescues, secret missions and adventures galore. But best of all are the true friendships to be made at Fernside.

Described in the Irish Times as ‘one of our foremost writers for young people’, Sheena Wilkinson is the author of eight novels for children and young adults, and one for adults. Her books have won numerous awards, including the CBI Book of the Year in 2013 for Grounded, and she has been shortlisted three times for the Astrid Lindgren Award, the world’s biggest children’s literature award. Since 2015 she has concentrated on historical fiction, notably her acclaimed trilogy about young women in early-twentieth century Ireland, Name upon Name, Star by Star and Hope against Hope. Sheena wrote her PhD thesis on girl’s school stories and when she mentioned in an interview that she had always wanted to write a school story, The O’Brien Press couldn’t resist, and September 2024 will see First Term at Fernside hitting bookshops.

‘perfect for fans of Malory Towers’ – Judi Curtin
‘a joy from first to last, with all the best-loved features of Blyton’s school stories’ – Joanna Nadin