The New Class (Chestnut Hill #1)

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Author(s)

Lauren Brooke

Publisher

Scholastic

Genre(s)

General Fiction

Age Range

10+

Release Date

August 01, 2005

ISBN

0439738547

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From the author of the popular Heartland books comes a smart, sassy series set at an exclusive, all-girls boarding school in Virginia, where horses--and status--mean everything. Welcome to Chestnut Hill, a prestigious boarding school with a rich tradition of academics, horses, and rivalry. This year, five girls from different backgrounds will challenge the Chestnut Hill stereotype. There's witty, spunky Dylan; secretive Malory; western tomboy Lani; Honey, the soft-spoken Brit; and polished New Yorker Razina. None is prepared for the social or riding rigors, and they all doubt they will fit in -- certainly not if queen bee Lynsey and her clique have any say. But if this unlikely fivesome can band together, they may prove themselves the true stars of Chestnut Hill.

From the author of the popular Heartland books comes a smart, sassy series set at an exclusive, all-girls boarding school in Virginia, where horses--and status--mean everything.

Welcome to Chestnut Hill, a prestigious boarding school with a rich tradition of academics, horses, and rivalry. This year, five girls from different backgrounds will challenge the Chestnut Hill stereotype. There's witty, spunky Dylan; secretive Malory; western tomboy Lani; Honey, the soft-spoken Brit; and polished New Yorker Razina. None is prepared for the social or riding rigors, and they all doubt they will fit in -- certainly not if queen bee Lynsey and her clique have any say. But if this unlikely fivesome can band together, they may prove themselves the true stars of Chestnut Hill.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

New friends & new opportunities!

May 03, 2006 (Updated: June 09, 2026)

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3.0

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Dylans wish to attend the prestigious Chestnut Hill boarding school has finally come true! She arrives at the boarding school, eager to meet new people and try out for the riding team. Her roommates are a sweet girl named Honey, and a rich, rather snotty girl, Lynsey. Dylan befriends Honey, Lani, Malory, and other girls, but find it hard to become friends with Lynsey and Razina. The two are stuck up and believe that they are above everyone else.

Lynsey considers herself one of the best riders out there, and she is good, but Lynseys dreams are dashed when a shy, secretive girl named Malory wins the Rockwell Award. Indignant and suspicious, Lynsey is jealous that Malory won instead of her. But there is still the schools jumping team to try out for. The competition is fierce, with other good older riders and people like Lani, who are also determined to make the team. But is Dylan going to put her determination to get onto the team before everything else? Having her aunt as the riding director doesnt helpinstead of being easy on Dylan, she seems to be criticizing her all the more! And when a dare goes bad, some of the girls fear that someone was trying to get Dylan kicked out, or banned from trying out for the team. Can Dylan make real friends and avoid making enemies in this boarding school? Can she prove her riding skills and retain her friendships? Will all this competition strain friendships?

Chestnut Hill: The New Class kicks off a new series that will appeal to horse story fans and fans of the Heartland series! Dylan learns many things about herself, friendship, and horses in her first year at Chestnut Hill!

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The Beginning of a great new series

August 07, 2009 (Updated: June 09, 2026)

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Reader reviewed by Mary

Chestnut Hill: the New Class is the story of Dylan Walsh, a seventh-grader of the esteemed Chestnut Hill Academy. Dylan is excited to be a student at Chestnut Hill, especially because of its riding program, which is one of the best in the country; but also to make a hoard of new friends. But after a Truth-or-Dare Night gone wrong, she wonders who her real friends are, and weather her enemies are really so bad. This was a great book, and undoubtedly the beginning of a great series.

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Chestnunt Hill: The New Class

December 11, 2007 (Updated: June 09, 2026)

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Reader reviewed by lilponyrider

This book is about a girl who goes to a school called Chestnut Hill. It is a private boarding school with the main sport horseback riding. During the book she makes friends with some of her roommates but also makes enimies with some of them. But there is a twist her aunt is the riding instructor! She wants to try out for the juinor jumping team but gets caught by riding a horse at night!

This book is good if you like horses. I would recommend this book for all ages! If you like the heartland series you will like theses!

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A great book for horse lovers

August 15, 2006 (Updated: June 09, 2026)

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Reader reviewed by Natalie

This book is about Dylan Walsh, a friendly red-haired girl. She really loves horses, especially Morello which is her aunt's pony. In the beginning, Dylan has finally persuaded her parents to let her go to Chesnut Hill which is the best boarding school Dylan could ever dream about going to because Chesnut Hill has riding classes and a competetive jumping class. At school, she makes friends with Honey, Lani and Malory. Lynsy Harrison is Dylan's enemy. Rich spoiled and popular Lynsy gives Dylan a dare, but Dylan gets caught! Read The New class to find out what happens to Dylan and her new friends.

I loved this book. It was very well written. Any horse lovers out there should read this wonderful book.

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