Five Little Peppers at School

Five Little Peppers #8

by Margaret Sidney

While her brothers are away at boarding school, Polly Pepper and her classmates are involved in a train accident that leaves the brakeman's wife a widow, so Polly tries to raise money for the brakeman's family

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Classics, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Chapter Books

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

Margaret Sidney was the pen name of American author and publisher Harriett Lothrop, best known for creating the enduring Five Little Peppers series, one of the most popular works of American children's literature of the late 19th century. Raised in a cultured and literary household in New Haven, she developed an early passion for storytelling and imaginative writing, though she did not publish until her mid-thirties. Her breakthrough came with short stories for the magazine Wide Awake, whose enthusiastic reception led to the publication of Five Little Peppers in 1881 and a long-running series that followed the Pepper family through numerous sequels. Writing under the name Margaret Sidney, she became widely read by generations of young audiences. After the death of her husband, publisher Daniel Lothrop, she successfully managed his publishing firm while raising their daughter, later returning to writing and continuing the Pepper books. Beyond literature, she played a significant role in American cultural life, helping to establish Concord, Massachusetts, as a literary center and working to preserve historic homes. She was also the founder of the Children of the American Revolution, reflecting her strong interest in history, education, and civic values.

Reviews

[Heather Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have a real problem with this book (besides the normal Victorian perspectives on patronization and race, which I addressed to my children when we encountered them) but I don't really have praises to sing either. The story was a bit disjointed without any apparent destination in mind. We take detours that seem to serve no purpose. The family is kind and want to do right all the time, so it makes for a pleasant read, but there was also a people-pleasing aspect that I want to be cautious about my children internalizing. It does give insight into people and perspectives of the era.

[Kate McMurry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic children's book from 1904

This book is written in an episodic style, jumping back and forth primarily between Joel Pepper, who is around 13 years old at this point and is an athletic star at boarding school, and Polly Pepper, who is around 15 years old at this time and is extremely popular with all the girls at the private seminary she attends called the Salisbury School.

Of secondary importance in the book are Davy Pepper, who is around 11 at this time, and Phronsie Pepper, who is around 7 or 8 years old, and Mamsie, who has been married to Papa Dr Fisher for a short while and does not have a baby yet. Mr Horatio King, whom the Pepper children call Grandpapa, and Jasper King are much more frequently included in the story, and there are cameos with Jasper's faithful dog, Prince. Sadly, Ben Pepper is hardly ever on stage.

This is a quick, entertaining read for fans of the Pepper children.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly love the little pepper books!!! They're so homey and heartwarming. You can always be sure that the Peppers will behave well and look out for others, that they'll make the best of whatever comes their way, and that you'll put the book down feeling happy and contented. I will never not read their books, and I will eventually acquire them all too.

[J.L. Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, how I loved this books as a child. They were very dear to me and are firmly entrenched into my memory strong enough to have become parts of my character. There are is a veritable plethora of life examples and lessons to be learned through these works of literature that take us back to a simpler time and place, entirely different family values and senses or morality and ethics; there is much to be learned from these simple books. Most of all, family and love, loyalty and a moral compass much needed in today's society, camaraderie and ...well, the list is entirely too long. I think the books are relevant to the youth of today, if nothing else to provide an example that though some things change with time, a great many others do not.

[Chrisanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book drove me nuts because I had a crush on Ben when I was a kid and he's pretty much written off for the rest of the series. And I really didn't understand why he couldn't go to school too.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm enjoying reading this series again...this one I know I don't actually have in my own book collection...but I do remember reading years ago. I just really love the wholesomeness of the plots, the characters...etc.

[Sarah Remsing · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s really interesting how the Peppers’ morals and behaviors hold up when they’re not always with Mamsie or Mr King, especially considering how young they are

[Lisa Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun! Joel finally grows up a bit.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but not enough Joel and David!

[J. Boo · Rating 2 out of 5]

We've hit eighth in the series, and the Peppers are wealthy, their social position is established, and they're wildly popular. Doesn't leave much scope for drama, especially since the Peppers are both well behaved and touchingly devoted to Mamsie. Gave up somewhere around the middle, with a few skip-aheads. I think I'll re-read the "Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" instead.

2/5. Available on Gutenberg.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

How long is Phronsie going to act like a little baby? How long are the now young adults going to scream and sob and carry on? And, how much longer is old Mr. King going to hold them on his lap? :-)

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as the other.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I've finished this one, either. Really, more of the same.

Edit: Looks like I did finish it.

[WSL Library]

X2

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best of the series by far, but some interesting scenes.