Nan Sherwood's Summer Holidays

In Short

This novel follows Nan Sherwood, a spirited American teenager, as she and her boarding school friends travel to Scotland to visit her ancestral home, Emberon Castle. Once there, Nan balances the thrill of an upcoming royal coronation in London with the sudden emergence of a suspicious, hunchbacked man who seems intent on rummaging through her belongings. The narrative blends the gentle domesticity of schoolgirl friendships with the suspense of secret passages and ancient family feuds. It remains a hallmark of early 20th-century juvenile fiction for its relentless pace and optimistic, adventurous tone.

The Story

The story begins on New Year’s Eve, as Nan Sherwood shares the exhilarating news with her best friend, Bess Harley: she is sailing to Scotland to visit Emberon, her mother’s ancestral estate. Their excitement is tempered only by the departure of their school friends and the lingering shadow of a rival, Linda Riggs, who is also traveling to Europe.

The voyage across the Atlantic is far from peaceful. Nan finds herself the target of a mysterious man—a red-headed hunchback—who stalks the corridors and attempts to compromise her luggage. Despite the threat, the girls enjoy the luxuries of ship life, including formal dinners with the Captain, though Nan’s composure is tested when she is forced to rescue an unconscious passenger during a violent storm at sea. Upon arriving in Scotland, the atmosphere of mystery deepens. The group travels to the remote Emberon Castle, where the atmosphere is thick with the presence of stern, painted ancestors and rumors of hidden secrets.

The climax occurs when Nan suddenly disappears from the castle grounds. While her friends panic, Nan is busy navigating a secret passage she accidentally discovered in the gatehouse, a feat that earns her the deep respect of the castle’s steward, James Blake. James reveals that the hunchback is indeed a distant relative embroiled in a long-standing family dispute, but he urges the girls to prioritize their travel to London. The summer culminates in the pageantry of a royal coronation. Watching the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the girls are struck by a sense of history and profound significance. Nan finds herself humbled by the experience, realizing that her journey has transformed her from a schoolgirl into a young woman who has faced danger and witnessed grandeur. The story concludes with the friends reflecting on their shared adventures over tea, already looking toward their next escapade.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Nan and her friends prepare for their trans-Atlantic crossing, managing the typical social anxieties of schoolgirls while dealing with the surprise appearance of their haughty rival, Linda Riggs.

A shadow at sea The shipboard atmosphere is marred by the presence of a mysterious red-headed hunchback, who repeatedly attempts to gain access to Nan’s private luggage.

The storm and the rescue During a treacherous Atlantic gale, Nan displays immense courage by dragging an unconscious passenger to safety, an act of heroism that lands her in the ship’s hospital.

Arrival at Emberon The girls reach the ancient, imposing castle of Emberon, where they are surrounded by the unsettling portraits of Nan’s ancestors and rumors of "parades of ghosts."

Nan's disappearance Nan goes missing while exploring the castle grounds, only to be discovered after she successfully navigates a hidden passage concealed behind a sliding panel in an old gatehouse.

The coronation finale The group travels to London to witness a royal coronation, an event that provides a solemn, historic conclusion to their summer of mystery and travel.

The People

Nan Sherwood is the resourceful, courageous, and observant protagonist. She wants to honor her family’s history while protecting her friends, but her curiosity often makes her a magnet for trouble. By the end, she grows from a mere student into a confident adventurer who has earned the respect of her Scottish kin.

Bess Harley is Nan’s loyal, impulsive, and often melodramatic best friend. She is driven by a desire for excitement and a petty, lingering rivalry with Linda Riggs. While she initially struggles to understand the value of money and the gravity of their situation, she remains the emotional anchor of the group.

James Blake is the stern, secretive steward of Emberon Castle. He initially appears as an obstacle to the girls' freedom, constantly ushering them away from danger. However, he becomes a mentor figure who recognizes Nan’s bravery and helps her reconcile with the complexities of her family’s past.

Linda Riggs acts as the foil to Nan. She is haughty, artificial, and overtly unkind. Her presence serves to heighten the girls' social anxieties and provides a recurring source of friction, though she is ultimately sidelined by the grandeur of the events surrounding the coronation.

In Its Own Voice

"I just can't believe it's true! I've pinched myself a dozen times. I've pulled my own hair."

Nan expresses her sheer disbelief and excitement at the prospect of traveling to Scotland at the very beginning of the book.

"The peers put on their coronets. In the same manner as the king, the queen was crowned."

The author describes the intense, formal atmosphere of the coronation ceremony that marks the end of the girls' summer holiday.

"Nan, for the first time began to realize what a great honor had been bestowed upon her in allowing her to be present."

This reflection captures the moment of maturity Nan experiences while witnessing the historic pageantry in London.

What It's Really About

The book explores the transition from the sheltered life of a schoolgirl to the wider, more complex world of adult responsibility. It argues that character is forged through adversity—whether that adversity takes the form of a storm at sea, a mysterious antagonist, or the pressure to uphold social graces in a castle. Beneath the adventure, there is a recurring interest in the "value of things," both material and hereditary. The story suggests that discovery is not just about finding secret passages or hidden riches, but about finding one's place within a broader history. Ultimately, it celebrates the power of friendship to act as a buffer against the confusion of a rapidly changing world.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the classic tropes of "schoolgirl adventures"—filled with midnight snacks, dramatic rivalries, and unshakable friendships—will find this a charming, brisk read. It captures a specific, idealized version of the 1930s where travel still feels like a grand undertaking and historical pageantry carries an almost magical weight.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-specific attitudes within the text. The dialogue often leans into a dramatic, sometimes overly earnest style, and the "hunchback" trope reflects older, insensitive conventions regarding disability that were common in the era's juvenile fiction. The pacing is rapid, moving quickly from scene to scene, which may feel jarring to those accustomed to more modern character-driven narratives.

Still, there is a genuine warmth to the bond between Nan and her companions that keeps the story grounded. It is a nostalgic look at a time when a summer vacation was expected to be life-changing, and for anyone interested in the evolution of American children's literature, it offers a window into the values and fantasies of a bygone era. It stays with you as a light, optimistic piece of historical escapism.