Author

Penn Shirley

1840-1929

Penn Shirley (1840-1929) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.

Subjects

Siblings -- Juvenile fictionConduct of life -- Juvenile fictionFriendship -- Juvenile fictionTwins -- Juvenile fictionYouth -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fictionCamping -- Juvenile fictionChildren -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fictionCourage -- Juvenile fictionEurope -- Juvenile fictionFamilies -- Juvenile fictionFishing -- Juvenile fictionGirls -- Juvenile fictionNew York (State) -- Juvenile fictionOutdoor life -- Juvenile fictionPlay -- Juvenile fictionSwimming -- Juvenile fiction

Books by Penn Shirley

The happy six

"The Happy Six" by Penn Shirley is a children's novel written in the late 19th century. This story appears to revolve around a group of young friends from Silver Gate City, California, who are filled with excitement as they anticipate embarking on a journey to Europe. The characters include the spirited young Kirke, his lively friends Molly, Weezy, Paul, and Pauline, as well as their enthusiastic little brother, Donald. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to the core group of friends, known as The Merry Five, who dramatically transitions to The Happy Six with the addition of Donald. The opening chapters capture their playful banter and explore their camaraderie as they learn about the possibility of traveling to Europe. As they express a mix of excitement and trepidation, the chapters set the stage for adventures that await them, hinting at themes of friendship, travel, and youthful enthusiasm. The narrative is light-hearted and engaging, appealing to young readers looking for a joyful exploration of childhood adventures and experiences abroad.

The Merry Five

"The Merry Five" by Penn Shirley is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around a group of children known as The Merry Five, consisting of siblings Molly, Kirke, and Weezy Rowe, along with their neighbors Paul and Pauline Bradstreet. As they embark on various summertime adventures, the book captures the innocence and exuberance of childhood, alongside themes of friendship, exploration, and family bonds. At the start of the novel, we meet the Rowe siblings as they prepare for an exciting trip to the beach, where they hope to spend time at Captain Bradstreet's camp. The children are eager and full of energy, with young Weezy displaying her characteristic curiosity and exuberance for life. As preparations ensue, we see the dynamics of their family, highlighting interactions during mealtime and the anticipation of the journey ahead. Throughout the opening chapters, this vivid introduction to The Merry Five sets the stage for their forthcoming adventures and challenges, weaving a tapestry of childhood joy and discovery.

Little Miss Weezy

"Little Miss Weezy" by Penn Shirley is a children's novel written in the late 19th century. It follows the high-spirited toddler Louise “Weezy” Rowe through a string of domestic adventures with her family and neighbors, blending humor with gentle moral lessons. The vignettes spotlight Weezy’s mischief and charm alongside the foibles and growth of her siblings, parents, and kindly Uncle Doctor, with affectionate attention to everyday life and the virtues of honesty, obedience, and kindness. Readers who enjoy warm family stories and lively child viewpoints will find it playful and tender. The opening of the story introduces Weezy’s nickname and home circle, then sweeps through a series of comic scrapes: she locks the maid out while the wash boils over, disrupts church by serenading the hymn with “Little Sally Walker,” and later follows a beggar child and gets lost before a policeman and the girl help her home. She and a helper, Ellen, trigger a memorable moment when a pickle turns up in the teapot at a minister’s dinner; she climbs a clock to steal the desk key and cuts paper dolls from a deed; she suffers the mumps while braiding her uncle’s beard; and she inadvertently sends her father down the street with her yarn doll “Sambo” tied to his coat. Weezy “goes calling” with visiting-cards, returns in a delivery wagon with figs, and is wrongly suspected of taking a dime until it’s found. A parallel thread shows brother Kirke’s lapse and honest confession at school, while Weezy’s own judgment shines when she refuses a birthday drive until a “stealing apples” joke is cleared up. A winter visit to grandparents adds a schoolroom mix-up—promising “one slide” but “heeling and toeing” the snowy bank instead—before her father arrives to bring her home for Christmas, with a mysterious moving, musical present teased as the scene breaks.