Amanda M. Douglas
A Little Girl in Old Pittsburg
"A Little Girl in Old Pittsburg" by Amanda M. Douglas is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The book follows the life of a young girl named Daffodil as she navigates her childhood in early Pittsburgh, experiencing the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War. With her family and various neighbors, Daffodil encounters joy, uncertainty, and the complexities of growing up in a community shaped by diverse backgrounds and the remnants of conflict. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to Daffodil, her grandfather, and the local townspeople amid the excitement of news concerning Lord Cornwallis's surrender. The community buzzes with the implications of the war's end, igniting hope and conversation amongst the residents, who include various ethnic groups such as the Irish and French. Daffodil’s inquisitive nature shines through as her mother and grandfather discuss their lives, her father’s absence due to the war, and the changes in Pittsburgh's landscape. These early interactions lay the groundwork for Daffodil's development, as she grapples with her father's return and the dynamics of familial love in a time of great social and personal upheaval.