Girls New and Old

"Girls New and Old" by L. T. Meade is a fictional novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story explores the life of Molly Lavender, a fifteen-year-old girl who arrives at Redgarth, a large school for girls in England, filled with excitement and apprehension as she begins her new educational journey. The book delves into themes of friendship, personal growth, and the challenges of adapting to a new environment as Molly navigates her relationships with her classmates at St. Dorothy's, one of the school's residences. The beginning of the novel introduces readers to Molly as she arrives at Redgarth, where she is welcomed by the school's principal, Miss Leicester. Feeling nervous yet eager, Molly quickly becomes acquainted with some of her peers, including the lively and charismatic Kate O'Connor. As they bond over shared experiences and navigate the school's dynamics, Molly's hopes are interwoven with her friendship with Cecil, her best friend who she hopes will join her soon. The opening chapters set the stage for exploring Molly's challenges and triumphs as she settles into her new life at the school. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Elizabeth Thomasina Meade Smith (1844–1914), writing under the pseudonym L. T. Meade, was a prolific writer of girls' stories. She was born in Bandon, County Cork, Ireland, daughter of Rev. R. T. Meade, of Nohoval, County Cork. She later moved to London, where she married Alfred Toulmin Smith in September 1879.