Perhaps the most classic novels of Mazo de la Roche's monumental family saga are these four, which were the first books written in the series, though they fall in the middle of her books' multi-generation narrative. These, including the original novel Jalna, were the books that first established the world of Jalna in the minds of readers and de la Roche herself, and set the stage for the twelve sequels and prequels that were to follow. IncludesWhiteoak HeritageWhiteoak BrothersJalnaWhiteoaks of Jalna

First published in 1927, this international bestseller is now back in print. Jalna is the first book in the popular series about a Canadian family named Whiteoak, who live in southern Ontario in a red-brick house called Jalna. In Jalna, the unforgettable family makes its first appearance. Two grandsons cause tumult when they bring their brides to live at Jalna, and Grandmother Adeline celebrates her 100th birthday. This is book 7 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Whiteoaks of Jalna.From the Inside FlapThe international bestselling story of the Whiteoaks, the unforgettable southern Ontario family who live in a red-brick house called Jalna. About the AuthorIn 1927, Mazo de la Roche was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from the American magazine Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became an immediate bestseller. In 1929, the sequel Whiteoaks also went to the top of bestseller lists. Mazo went on to publish 16 novels in the popular series about a Canadian family named Whiteoak, living in a house called Jalna. Her success allowed her to travel the world and to live in a mansion near Windsor Castle. Mazo created unforgettable characters who come to life for her readers, but she was secretive about her own life and tried to escape the public attention her fame brought.

First published in 1949, in Mary Wakefield, the third book in theJalna series, a young English woman is hired by Ernest Whiteoak to be agoverness to Philip's motherless children. When Philip falls in love with her, his mother does all she can to prevent the marriage. This is book 3 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Young Renny.ReviewThe role of women and the role of money and materialism in the novel offer an interesting point of comparison for younger readers in the classroom. From the Inside FlapMary Wakefield is third on the timeline of the Jalna series. Mary, a young Englishwoman, is hired to care for Philip’s motherless children, Meg and Renny. When Philip falls in love with the beautiful governess, the community is scandalized and his mother, Adeline, does all she can to discourage the relationship.

First published in 1960, in Morning at Jalna it is 1863 and the American Civil War is raging south of the border. Still in its early years, the Jalna estate seems far away from the despair and destruction. Philip, who will grow up to become the master of Jalna, has just come into the world, while Augusta, Nicholas, and Ernest are children. Life at Jalna is as peaceful as usual until the Sinclairs come to visit. They arrive with the polished manners and soft accents of Old Carolina and quickly appeal to Adelines sense of hospitality. However, as the burden these distant cousins bring grows, the Whiteoaks begin to suspect that the Sinclairs have a deep and dangerous secret. This is book 2 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Mary Wakefield.Review“Roche's use of metaphor would be helpful to students to understand how language and environment can be used to mirror both characters' lives and story developments.”From the Inside FlapIt is 1863 and life at Jalna is peaceful. Philip, who will grow up to become the master of Jalna, has just come into the world, while Augusta, Nicholas, and Ernest are children. However, the Sinclairs come to visit and the Whiteoaks begin to suspect that the Sinclairs have a deep and dangerous secret.

Published in 1940, Whiteoak Heritage chronicles the fortunes of the Whiteoak family after the Second World War. The drama continues at Jalna when Renny returns home to find his one-time love still unforgiving and his brother still involved with an older woman. This is book 5 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Whiteoak Brothers.From the Inside FlapPublished in 1940, Whiteoak Heritage chronicles the fortunes of the Whiteoak family after the Second World War. The drama continues at Jalna when Renny returns home to find his one-time love still unforgiving and his brother still involved with an older woman. About the AuthorIn 1927, Mazo de la Roche was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from the American magazine Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became a bestseller and was adapted for stage, screen and television.

First published in 1944, The Building of Jalna is one of sixteen books in the Jalna series written by Canada's Mazo de la Roche. In The Building of Jalna, Adeline, an impulsive bride with an Irish temper, and her husband, Captain Whiteoak, select Lake Ontario as the site of their new home. De la Roche chronicles their trials and tribulations during the building of the house, the swimming and skating parties, and the jealousies and humourous events that arise. This is book 1 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Morning at Jalna.From the Inside FlapThe Building of Jalna takes readers to the origins of the Whiteoak family saga. Captain Philip Whiteoak and his bride, Adeline, arrive from India to the shores of Lake Ontario. They name their future home Jalna and become involved in intrigue, jealousies, and festivities even as their family grows and their house takes shape. About the AuthorIn 1927, Mazo de la Roche was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10, 000 prize from the American magazine, Atlantic Monthly for her novel, Jalna. The book became an immediate bestseller and went to be adapted for stage, screen and television. Known for creating unforgettable charactes that come to life for her readers, Mazo de la Roche, is truly an icon of Canadian literature.

First published as Whiteoaks in 1929, in Whiteoaks of Jalna, the saga of the Whiteoak family continues, with more rivalries, tangled relationships, and secret love affairs. The colourful matriarch Adeline Whiteoak dies at 101. Each book is a complete and satisfying story in its own right, but the Jalna series has proven itself to be addictive to generations of readers around the world. This is book 8 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Finch's Fortune.From the Inside FlapThe captivating saga of the Whiteoak family continues, with more rivalries, tangled relationships, and secret love affairs. About the AuthorIn 1927, Mazo de la Roche was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from the American magazine Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became an immediate bestseller. In 1929, the sequel Whiteoaks also went to the top of bestseller lists. Mazo went on to publish 16 novels in the popular series about a Canadian family named Whiteoak, living in a house called Jalna. Her success allowed her to travel the world and to live in a mansion near Windsor Castle. Mazo created unforgettable characters who come to life for her readers, but she was secretive about her own life and tried to escape the public attention her fame brought.

First published in 1953, in The Whiteoak Brothers, the Jalna household is electric with secrecy and excited expectation. It is now 1923, and while young love blossoms between Pheasant and Piers, Aunt Augusta's friend, Dilly Warkworth, arrives at Jalna and tries to snare the heart of Renny. Eden, meets a persuasive mining broker whose new venture promises miracles. One by one, Eden persuades the other Whiteoaks to part with their savings - even old Adeline. This is book 6 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Jalna.From the Inside FlapThe Jalna household is electric with secrecy and excited expectation. It is now 1923, and while young love blossoms between Pheasant and Piers, Aunt Augusta's friend, Dilly Warkworth, arrives at Jalna and tries to snare Renny's heart. Eden meets a persuasive mining broker and, one by one, persuades the other Whiteoaks to part with their savings. About the AuthorMazo de la Roche, in 1927, was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from The Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became an immediate bestseller and was eventually adapted for stage, screen, and television.

First published in 1935, Young Renny takes us even further back in the Whiteoak family saga to 1906. Renny, the young master of Jalna, is just eighteen. His twenty-year-old sister Meg is engaged to marry the young man next door, Maurice Vaughan Uncle Nick and Uncle Ernest, now in their fifties, have squandered their inheritances abroad on high living and reside again at Jalna. But the plot thickens further, when two outsiders join the mix: A gypsy woman, who seduces Renny, and a distant cousin from Ireland, who befriends Gran, moves into Jalna, and spies on the family. This is book 4 of 16 in The Whiteoak Chronicles. It is followed by Whiteoak Heritage.From the Inside FlapYoung Renny takes us even farther back in the Whiteoak family saga to 1906. Renny, the young master of Jalna, is just 18. The plot thickens when two outsiders join the mix: a gypsy woman who seduces Renny, and a distant cousin from Ireland who befriends Gran, moves into Jalna, and spies on the family. About the AuthorIn 1927, Mazo de la Roche was an impoverished writer in Toronto when she won a $10,000 prize from the American magazine Atlantic Monthly for her novel Jalna. The book became a bestseller and was adapted for stage, screen and television.