Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year: or, The Record of the Girl Chums in Work and Athletics(Aunt Claire Presents)

This is one of the series books that American girls read for fun a century ago. It's not only a fast-paced tale of friendship and adventure, but also a window onto the past.   Aunt Claire has combed through the attic of forgotten stories to rescue some of the best. Her fourth selection is Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year at High School, originally published in 1911.   This book relates the further adventures of the four friends whom you met in Grace Harlowe's Freshman Year at High School: Grace herself, the leader of her class; the quietly brilliant Anne; the funny, lively Nora; and the perceptive Jessica.   In their sophomore year, Grace and company are intent on beating their rivals, the junior class, on the basketball court. But the sophomore team suffers a catastrophic loss when their secret basketball signals fall into the hands of the juniors—and the finger of suspicion points at Anne.   Loyalties are tested, adventures abound, and mean girl Miriam makes a memorable reappearance in this second installment of Grace Harlowe's high school career.   Aunt Claire's illustrated introduction provides just the right amount of historical context for young readers: What was high school like in 1911? What were school sports like? How were they different for girls and for boys? And what can we learn from the mix of social attitudes displayed in the book?   Don't forget to look underneath the jacket to see the original cover from 1911!

Table of Contents:
Contents   A Note from Aunt Claire   I. A Declaration of War II. The Way of the Transgressor III. A Generous Appeal IV. An Unfortunate Aviator V. On the Eve of Battle VI. The Deepest Possible Disgrace VII. Gathering Clouds VIII. The Price of Friendship IX. An Unsuccessful Interview X. The Sophomore Ball XI. A Lion at Last XII. The Ways of Schoolgirls XIII. A Skating Party XIV. A Brave Rescue XV. A Belated Repentance XVI. An Ounce of Loyalty XVII. Burying the Hatchet XVIII. At the Eleventh Hour XIX. The Great Game XX. A Piece of News XXI. Anne and Grace Compare Notes XXII. A Rescue and a Reform XXIII. Grace Meets a Distinguished Character XXIV. Commencement

About the Author :
Aunt Claire spends much of her time in other people's cellars and attics, searching for stories (and gold). Of course, it's really the other way around: if you know where to look, the right kinds of stories have a way of finding you. The ones she encounters most often are about friends, and quests, and friends who go on quests. Sometimes, when she's read all she can read for the day, you might find her on a hillside, considering a theory she's heard that clouds are just another type of sheep. If you've heard this theory too, stop by sometime. And you'd better bring your good hiking boots—those ones without the holes—just in case. You never know when you'll wander into an adventure.

Review :
Praise for Aunt Claire Presents   "If you know of any girls who like to read, and to whom you would like to introduce the old-time series books that so many of us enjoy, I would gladly suggest that you consider these modern reprints. And, in fact, you might want to buy a second set for yourself." —Yellowback Library   "I've found that vintage series books are an excellent alternative to modern children's books. These wholesome series books are filled with excitement and adventure—my kids genuinely love them!" —Judy Hoch, contentedathome.com   "If you're looking for a strong female role model with a strong dose of history, Aunt Claire Presents, published by Laboratory Books, is just what you need!" —homeschoolhideout.com   "I love the look of the books. The cover art is a great combination of old-world charm mixed with modern colors and design. What is even better to me is that if you remove the dust jacket, you can see the vintage cover hidden underneath. . . . These would make great Christmas gifts for your middle-grade, adventure-loving daughters." —Betsy Strauss, familystyleschooling.com   "These books lend themselves very well to use as history supplements. . . . Of great value in these books is the section at the beginning entitled 'A Note from Aunt Claire' which provides excellent background information for the stories." —Sallie Borrink, sallieborrink.com   "With so much of the middle-grade fiction published today full of themes entirely inappropriate for a sensitive six-year-old, books for an accelerated reader can be incredibly hard to find. . . . I'm so thankful for throwback chapter books, like these 1910 novels re-released under the series name Aunt Claire Presents, published by Laboratory Books. These books are big on adventure, but nil on romance—so perfect for my tiny, voracious reader." —Gina Munsey, oaxacaborn.com   Rating: 9 diamond butterfly pendants out of 10 for bringing back a classic tale and introducing it to a whole new generation of readers! —Reading Is Fun, Not Mental, reviewing The Automobile Girls at Newport