There are a number of fictional towns I would love to move to! During May, I spent a great deal of time enjoying the village of Fairacre while reading Village School, by Miss Read. I slowly savored the pleasure of reading about this quiet community as described through the eyes of the local school teacher. I loved the stories of the children and their families, and the teachers and their lives, and I loved becoming part of their community, if only for a while.
As a retired school teacher myself, I loved the honest portrayal of school life and a school year, and I appreciated the wry and compassionate humor of the Miss Read. Her descriptions were so true to my own experiences in the classroom. Here is one passage that perfectly describes a warm sunny afternoon in my own classroom a few years ago:
The lesson on the time-table was ‘Silent Reading’ and in various attitudes, some graceful and some not, the children sat or lay in the grass with their books propped before them. Some read avidly, flickering over the pages, their eyes scampering along the lines. But other lay on their stomachs, legs undulating, with their eyes fixed dreamily on the view before them, a grass between their lips, and eternity before them.
Spending time in Fairacre was a lovely experience! Fortunately, I don’t have to leave the village for quite awhile because Village School was just the first of the series and there are many more Fairacre books to read. Sounds like a lovely place to spend my summer!
A Fondness For Reading 
‘A school year in Fairacre’ isn’t a blog entry title I see every day on my blog list! And what a treat it is! Such a wonderful passage you shared. I hope children do still go outdoors like this. I can never make up my mind whether I like Fairacre or Thrush Green best, but I don’t really have to, do I? I love all her books, and it’s time I returned to them. Thanks so much for this posting.
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Robin, somehow I thought you had stopped blogging, and then I saw you like a tweet and here I am. I have been a deplorable visitor of blogs lately, and look forward in two years to when I, too, will be a retired school teacher. So glad to know you’re still here, still posting about books. xox
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Thanks, dear Nan! Both the Fairacre series and Thrush Green have been on my list for years. (I’m quite sure I read about them first on your blog!) What a pleasure to finally start them. I have so much to look forward to and enjoy! This first one was such a delight for this retired school teacher!
It’s so nice to hear from you, Meredith! I did leave blogging for about 1-1/2 years after a family trauma. Just couldn’t find my voice. But I missed the blogging world and realized its importance in my life, so I returned, just not as intensely as the early years. I actually spend a lot of time on Twitter and Instagram, but they’re not the same as blogging. And although I visit blogs, I’m terrible about leaving comments anymore. Must work harder at that! Are you finished with your school year? Enjoy your summer! I am enjoying retirement now, but will always miss the kiddos!
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