Monday 11 April 2011

I is for...Ishbel Anderson

Ishbel Anderson is a best friend of Rebecca Mason, the protagonist from boarding school series Trebizon. If you were a fan of Malory Towers and St Clare’s, then it is highly possible you would have graduated to the Trebizon books.

My two favourites books of the series are pictured. In the First Term, Rebecca arrives in the second year to find everyone established, and longs to make her mark by writing something for the school magazine. Her love of creative writing combined with the school setting – leafy oak trees, sandy beaches – made this book a winner for me. It also introduced me to the poetic works of Emily Dickinson.

In the Tennis Term, amidst the swirl of sporting life at school, two apparently pointless hoaxes set off a chain of events that affect all the characters. But underneath the drama, this book really captures the slow march of time, in that it is Rebecca's older friend Pippa's last term, and eventually everyone has to grow up and move beyond their childhood boundaries.

I especially liked Ishbel (Tish) for her positive attitude to life and sense of fun. I also enjoyed mentions of Pippa, as she is an artist and a very reflective character, one who already feels the nostalgia of her passing school days.


Trebizon series
Published: 1978 – 1994
Author: Anne Digby

Sporty fact one: I studied gymnastics for eight years, enjoying it very much. Favourite equipment was the asymmetric bars. Least favourite was that awful beam!
Sporty fact two: After reading Trebizon books I used to pretend I was part of a tennis club, hitting a ball up a wall for hours on end. I invented different players, drew match timetables, and probably looked a little mad.
Sporty fact three: When I was eleven I ran a gymnastics class after-school for younger girls, teaching them the basics.
Sporty fact four: I was on the netball team in junior school, and usually played Wing Attack.
Sporty fact five: I loved rounders (a form of baseball, maybe?) and used to enjoy running like lightening around the bases, especially whacking the ball as far as I could get it!

19 comments:

Out on the prairie said...

It is fun to see how a series of books can affect us so.

Sophia said...

That's awesome you did gymnastics for so long and I love your other sporty tidbits (and tennis madness).
- Sophia.

Beth said...

The Trebizon books look great! What a fun way to complete the A-Z challenge!

Old Kitty said...

Oh my gosh you sporty gal you!!! I used to be lumbered with "Goal Keeper" in my netball team - me at 5 ft nothing and a bit - but apparently I made up for it with "sheer enthusiasm!"!!!LOL!!!

This is a fab series!! Take care
x

Anita said...

There's a new series that sorta reminds me of this one...THE RED BLAZER GIRLS.

Kit Courteney said...

I heart Trebizon.

Nuff said.

Áine Tierney said...

I was a fan of St. Claires and Malory towers, but never read these. I'm enjoying yout themed A-Z posts.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

I've not heard of this series, but it looks like a good one to read. Thanks for the "head's up!"

Ciara said...

Hi! I'm a fellow A-Z challenger and a new follower. :) I love it when books affect us in such a way. Great I post.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

This must be another UK series. Sounds like one I would have loved as a teen.

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen these books before.

I remember finding both old and new paperbacks, castoffs from neighbors or purchases from library sales and flea markets, and they greatly affected me as a young reader and writer.

Belle Wong said...

Love your sporty facts! Great A to Z post.

Kittie Howard said...

I hadn't heard of this series and am sorry the stories didn't enter mty youth. They sound like such fun!

Myne said...

I like the covers, they remind me of my teenage years. :)

Creepy Query Girl said...

lol, I love the retro covers!

Maggie May said...

I was trying to comment on your post Katy Carr but I'm not being allowed to because it seems to have disappeared.
What Katy Did was one of my favourites as a child.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Kim said...

OMG I LOVED these books and had forgotten about them completely- thank you so much for reminding me! I wonder how I'd find them now. I remember starting them from the library (looks at politicians meaningfully) and then loving them and getting my own. Wow!

Laura S. said...

That's so cool you used to be a gymnast, too! I did gymnastics for six years. It's still my all-time favorite sport and I follow it obsessively. I loved all the apparatus, but beam was (and is) my favorite!

Plain Jane said...

I always loved the vault. I wish big people could do gymnastics, but it will be forever the sport of the young and tiny.