Opening in Cannes, where the family are ensconced at The Grand Hotel Majestic et de l'Universe - christened 'The Grand Hotel and So Forth and So Forth' by Mrs. Ridgeway, sensible eldest daughter Susan, animal-loving middle child (and only son) George, and precocious Dumpling, with her grave pronouncements, whose story began in Family Grandstand, return in this second novel devoted to their adventures, finding themselves in France while Prof.

The Ridgeways, that endearingly quirky mid-western family consisting of history-loving Professor Ridgeway, mystery-writing Mrs. But who could she be? While they search for the princess, they also begin studying French with their stern tutor, Mademoiselle-but isn’t it more fun teaching her some not-so-proper English? And as Halloween and Thanksgiving roll around, the Ridgeway children decide to show France a little bit of what these holidays mean back home in America-with some unexpected results!įrance will never be the same after the Ridgeways come to visit! George is just happy to have some new terrain to search for rocks.Īs the Ridgeways settle in, they find out that a real, live princess is staying at their hotel. She’s brought along her doll, Irene, as her little piece of home. Susan has brought her diary to document their vacation fun, but Dumpling isn’t convinced that France can compete with their house with the tower back in Midwest City. Professor Ridgeway is on sabbatical in the South of France-and the whole family is along for the adventure.

The Ridgeway family takes on France in this delightful story from Newbery Medal winner Carol Ryrie Brink.

Family Grandstand by Carol Ryrie Brink