Here via the 'girlsown' tag on your lj, but I had to comment on the truth of Real Chalet girls take Joey Maynard as their role model and never grow out of the Chalet School.. Exactly.

I think I've only read one Joanna Lloyd book, and I'm blanking out on it leaving any impression, unfortunately, but I'll look out for her. You get it spot on on sechondhand shops, the possibility of finding, well, treasure and their characterfulness makes them places of wonder.