Fernside House, nestled at the end of a quiet road, is waiting for eighty girls to disturb its holiday peace.

Cousins Robin and Linnet are back at Fernside and school life is busier than ever – with the animals at Rowanbank, a new science class, netball rivalry and fun in the dorms. But the end-of-term exams are not the only test for the girls. As the lower fourth face the good and the bad times of growing up and the cancellation of the Christmas Show, a surprise ‘new’ girl challenges them to understand what it really means to be a true friend at Fernside.