Then Vicky meets Martha Sherman, and everything changes. Martha introduces Vicky to pie-beds, midnight feasts and all the other wonderful things about boarding school. She even teaches Vicky a secret language that only the two of them share. Soon, with Martha's help, Vicky finds herself thinking of Coburn Home School as home....

Written by acclaimed children's book editor Ursula Nordstrom, this is an enchanting story about two young girls who share a special friendship while away at school.Originally published in 1960, this enchanting story of two young girls who develop a special friendship--and a secret language--while away at school is the only novel ever written by renowned children’ s book editor Ursula Nordstrom. ‘ Nordstrom’ s gentle, acutely observed picture of the boarding-school world catches the essential fascination of that special community and at the same time, deals with certain problems common to any little girl adjusting to a new school.’ --The New York Times
Mary Chalmers is the illustrator of many books for young readers, including the I Can Read Book Marigold and Grandma on the Town by Stephanie Calmenson, and Easter Parade, which she also wrote. She lives with her three cats in Greenbelt, MD.
An ALA Notable Children’ s Book of 1960

An ALA Notable Children’ s Book of 1960Originally published in 1960, this enchanting story of two young girls who develop a special friendship--and a secret language--while away at school is the onlynovel ever written by renowned children’ s book editor Ursula Nordstrom. ‘ Nordstrom’ s gentle, acutely observed picture of the boarding-school world catches the essential fascination of that special community and at the same time, deals with certain problems common to any little girl adjusting to a new school.’ --The New York Times
Mary Chalmers is the illustrator of many books for young readers, including the I Can Read Book Marigold and Grandma on the Town by Stephanie Calmenson, and Easter Parade, which she also wrote. She lives with her three cats in Greenbelt, MD.
An ALA Notable Children’ s Book of 1960

An ALA Notable Children’ s Book of 1960