The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

With echoes of Jane Eyre and Dickens, the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood features a delightfully plucky young governess, lovably mischievous children, pithy wisdom, an abundance of classic literary allusions, arcane facts about ferns and other useful subjects, mysteries, family curses, and even an ostrich. The many asides to the reader and funny definitions are reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, but I think these books are far better—all the cleverness with none of the formulaic plots and dark cynicism. In short, dear reader, I adored this series and am slightly bitter that I didn't write it myself.