Grace Harlowe's First Year at Overton College

by Josephine Chase

"Grace Harlowe's First Year at Overton College" by Josephine Chase is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows Grace Harlowe, a confident and strong-willed young woman, along with her friends Miriam Nesbit and Anne Pierson, as they embark on their freshman year at Overton College. Themes of friendship, personal growth, and the challenges faced by young women in navigating college life are likely central to the narrative. At the start of the story, Grace and her friends are seen saying goodbye to their hometown of Oakdale as they prepare for their new lives at college. Their departure is filled with mixed emotions, with excitement about college life intertwined with sadness about leaving home. Upon their arrival at Overton, the girls experience a mix of anxiety and anticipation about fitting in and adapting to the new environment, especially as they encounter a brash girl named J. Elfreda Briggs on the train. This initial chapter sets the foundation for how the characters will navigate their relationships and challenges, hinting at both the camaraderie and trials they will face as freshmen.