The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling

Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.

Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.

But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?

Author: Maryrose Wood
Publisher: Balzer & Bray/Harperteen
Published: 02/23/2010
Pages: 272
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.73lbs
Size: 7.98h x 5.78w x 0.98d
ISBN: 9780061791055
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 6.8
Point Value: 9
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 135540 / Mysterious Howling


Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 12/15/2009 pg. 39
Kirkus Review - Children 01/01/2010 pg. 50
Publishers Weekly 01/18/2010 pg. 47
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 04/01/2010
New York Times Book Review 04/11/2010 pg. 15
School Library Journal 05/01/2010 pg. 125
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2010 pg. 97
Kirkus Best Children's Books 11/15/2010 pg. 12
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2010 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
Wood, Maryrose: -

Maryrose Wood is the author of the first five books (so far!) in this series about the Incorrigible children and their governess. These books may be considered works of fiction, which is to say, the true bits and the untrue bits are so thoroughly mixed together that no one should be able to tell the difference. This process of fabrication is fully permitted under the terms of the author's Poetic License, which is one of her most prized possessions.

Maryrose's other qualifications for writing these tales include a scandalous stint as a professional thespian, many years as a private governess to two curious and occasionally rambunctious pupils, and whatever literary insights she may have gleaned from living in close proximity to a clever but disobedient dog.

Klassen, Jon: -

Jon Klassen grew up in Niagara Falls, Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles, California. He is the New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of several books, including I Want My Hat Back and This Is Not My Hat, for which he won the Caldecott Medal. Two of his picture books have been named Caldecott Honor books: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn (winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award), both by Mac Barnett. You can visit him online at www.burstofbeaden.com.