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

In "The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood, Miss Penelpe Lumley graduates from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females and never imagines that the advertisement for a governess at Ashton Place would lead to such a challenging first job. Everyone she asks about the children are either extremely vague or just avoids the subject completely, but Penelope accepts the position anyway. Soon after, she hears a strange howling coming from the barn and runs to rescue the poor animal who is in pain, but it isn't an animal making that noise. It's the children!

That's how Penelope learns that she is to be governess to three children--Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia Incorrigible--who were discovered in the woods surrounding Ashton Place and were clearly raised by wolves. She is expected to teach them Latin, French, History, and more when they can't do more than howl, growl, snarl and chase squirrels. Who are these children, really? Why does the coachman, Old Timothy, always lurk around every corner? Can these wild creatures really be civilized?

Fans of Lemony Snicket will enjoy the writing style and story line of this first book the the series of "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place", and will definitely want to keep reading! Recommended for readers grades five to eight.

--Ariel V, Lewis and Clark