Summer Term at St. Clare's
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Summer Term at St.Clare's is third book in St. Clare's Series by British children's author Enid Blyton.
The story starts with the twins Pat and Isabel O' Sullivan looking forward to enjoying their first summer term at St.Clare's. Their mother is happy to see them looking forward to school. One day, they go to play tennis with a friend, and meet a girl who has mumps. The twins, to their dismay, are put in quarantine, and are not allowed to go back to school at the beginning of the term.
When they arrive back the following week, they are heartily welcomed by their friends. Five new girls have joined their form. There is an American girl called Sadie, who is obviously quite rich and elegant. The twins discover that their cousin Alison has already made friends with her. There is a wild-looking girl called Carlotta, who is half Spanish. There is a naughty but very likable girl Bobby (Roberta), who quickly becomes friends with Janet.There is another girl called Prudence, who is quite pretty but has no sense of humour. The last new girl is Pam, who is very hard working. Two of the girls from their form, Margery and Lucy have been moved up to the next form..
The girls soon discover that Miss Roberts is on the war path. She is the first form head and is determined that her girls should do well and be promoted in next form. The twins also get to know the new girls. Prudence turns out to be nasty, spiteful, and dishonest. She takes a strong dislike to Carlotta, and discovers that Carlotta once belonged to a circus. She reveals Carlotta's secret to the other girls, hoping it will make them despise her, but it only serves to make Carlotta even more popular.
The American girl Sadie is like Alison always caring about her looks. She also hates sports and all outdoor activities. However, she is good temper and laughs at being teased. The girls soon find out that Sadie is an heiress. Her mother had to fight lawsuits and win fortune. Sadie's father had died and left a will giving away all his money to his sisters. Sadie's mother had won it back through lawsuits. During the term, while Prudence is spying on Carlotta, Sadie is kidnapped, and Carlotta rescues her. The term ends happily for most, with Prudence expelled, Sadie preparing to go back to America, and the other girls looking forward to going into second year.