Cherry Tree Perch by Josephine Elder is the second book in the author’s ‘Farm school’ series, it was first published in 1939.

In this one Annis is back at the Farm school in April for the new term. The Farm School is run by her friend Kitty’s family and the place is a bit of a misnomer as the school is very far from being all about animals. Some children are there to concentrate on the sciences, music or art, and the easy-going atmosphere seems to make them blossom. Annis learns to ride and gets her own horse and takes part in a gymkhana at the Agricultural Show.

Annis is thrilled to be with her best friend Kitty again but things have changed as Miss de Vipon, a rather eccentric person is now living in one of the cottages and Kitty is spending a lot of time with her. Annis is frankly jealous of that relationship, but there’s more to worry about when haystacks begin to be deliberately set alight. Who would put the farm in such danger?

There’s just one more book in this series and I’ll get around to reading that one – sometime.

The idea for the Farm School might have been inspired by the Summerhill School which was founded in the early 1920s, it has a similar ethos anyway.