The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood

Reviewed by Angie

Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES


Ratings Explanation

Violence:  A hunting party finds three young children in the woods, apparently having been raised by wolves. It’s described that the hunters pointed guns at them and almost “got off a shot or two.” A man mentions that most of his family met gruesome ends while hunting. (No details given.) A room in the home is covered with mounted heads of a variety of animals, trophies of the master of the house. A “hunting” party is put together when the men are told that the children have been seen running into the woods.

Adult Themes: No explanation is given as to how the children came to live in the woods, but it’s mentioned that they were probably abandoned. There is talk of sending the children to an orphanage. The children are left in the barn for several days because the couple doesn’t know what to do with them. A few characters smoke cigars. Lady Constance acts in “the manner of a person who had overindulged in champagne or some similar beverage.”

Synopsis
Three young children have been found on the extensive grounds of Ashton Place, and fifteen-year-old Penelope Lumley has been hired as their governess. She has been charged with their care and taming. Miss Lumley has her work cut out for her as the children need to learn everything from how to put on clothes properly and how not to chase squirrels, to Latin and poetry. She spends her time teaching and taming these children, all the while trying to figure out the mystery of where they came from.

This was just a fun book to read. It was a story different than any others I’ve read, although it reminded me a bit of Roald Dahl’s stories. A funny and interesting plot with likable characters and amusing situations. I also thought that the writing was fantastic. I enjoyed the dry humor and parenthetical side notes given by the author. The only thing I didn’t love about the book is that it ended with “To Be Continued…” in what seemed like the middle of the story. I hadn’t realized that it was going to be a series. Almost none of the mysteries were solved, nor any of the questions answered, but if you go into it knowing there are two additional books, it might not be so disappointing. Geared for 5th to 8th grade, I think it’s just right for that age group and anyone else who likes an entertaining read.