
In a sleepy English village, three spirited youngsters – the mischievous brothers Jerry and Jimmy and their clever sister Kathleen – spend their school holidays longing for real adventure. When their cousin Betty falls ill and the children are stuck at a stern boarding school, they hatch a plan to turn their boredom into a grand story, dreaming of secret caves, hidden treasures, and daring games.
One rainy afternoon their curiosity leads them to a forgotten stone gate hidden behind overgrown hedges, and they stumble upon an old, ivy‑clad castle that seems to pulse with quiet magic. Inside, ordinary objects begin to behave strangely, and the children discover a set of enchanted keys that promise to unlock doors to other worlds. Their first night in the castle is filled with whispered riddles and the thrill of possibilities, setting the stage for a summer of wonder and mild mischief.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (375K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2002-11-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1924
Best known for blending everyday family life with adventure and magic, this pioneering English writer helped shape modern children’s fiction. Her stories, including The Railway Children and Five Children and It, still feel lively, funny, and warm.
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