Rural School

Under the Greenwood Tree is an affectionate and youthful portrait of a world Hardy knew well - village life in 'Wessex' - in which a romantic tale is set against changing circumstances. The traditional feature of local music making performed by the village band and choir is challenged by the modern innovation of organ and organist providing music in the church.

Sixteen year old Shelley and her mother move to Honeysuckle cottage in the middle of the countryside, fleeing their fears and anxieties and hoping to put behind them years of suffering at the hands of others. Shelley has endured terrible bullying from the girls who used to be her best friends...

Rural education leadership matters more than ever. The Empowered Rural Education Leader is a practical guide for superintendents, principals, and aspiring school leaders who want to strengthen rural schools and the communities they serve.

Eleanor Jones is over the rain. The drought has finally broken, and the Cooinda River is rising - fast. When fellow student Letisha Sabri asks her to prove her boyfriend's death was not an accident or suicide, but rather murder, Eleanor is thrown back into detective mode. The more Eleanor...

Under the Greenwood Tree, Hardy's second novel, was published in 1872 and became the first of his great series of Wessex novels. The book, subtitled A Rural Painting of the Dutch School, tells the endearing tale of a group of church musicians who accompany the hymns at the local Mellstock parish choir and we follow the fortunes of one of its member, Dick Dewy, who falls in love with the new school mistress, Fancy Day.