I haven't read any of the Elsie books, but I've heard of them - mainly they crop up in one of the Chalet School books (I think it's Jo of the Chalet School, but it could be Rivals because bits where Joey is recovering after nearly dying of an illness happen in both. And probably others). Anyway, clearly even in about 1926 Elinor M. Brent-Dyer thought they were preachy and precious, but Joey enjoyed the American history, which she didn't know so much about and then wrote her own sequel in which Elsie had sons who had much more exciting adventures. It did make me curious about how dreadful and preachy they were and whether or not it'd be in a so bad it's enjoyable way. From reading your verdict here, I'm still not sure.
But obviously not for the actually average 8 year old. Depending.
no subject
I haven't read any of the Elsie books, but I've heard of them - mainly they crop up in one of the Chalet School books (I think it's Jo of the Chalet School, but it could be Rivals because bits where Joey is recovering after nearly dying of an illness happen in both. And probably others). Anyway, clearly even in about 1926 Elinor M. Brent-Dyer thought they were preachy and precious, but Joey enjoyed the American history, which she didn't know so much about and then wrote her own sequel in which Elsie had sons who had much more exciting adventures. It did make me curious about how dreadful and preachy they were and whether or not it'd be in a so bad it's enjoyable way. From reading your verdict here, I'm still not sure.
But obviously not for the actually average 8 year old. Depending.