Subject
Women college graduates -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
Edith K. (Edith Kellogg) Dunton
Betty Wales, B. A.: A story for girls
"Betty Wales, B.A.: A Story for Girls" by Edith K. Dunton is a fictional story likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative continues the adventures of Betty Wales, following her experiences after graduating from Harding College, exploring themes of friendship and youthful escapades as she and her friends embark on various journeys. The characters include Betty and her close friends, known collectively as "The Merry Hearts," as they navigate life post-college and prepare for new experiences abroad. The opening of the book introduces Betty Wales as she returns home after graduation and reconnects with her family, while simultaneously receiving exciting news from her friends about a wedding. This sets off a flurry of correspondence, revealing Betty's enthusiastic personality and deep bonds with her college friends. As the plot unfolds, we see Betty express her eagerness to support her friends in their upcoming wedding and travel plans, establishing a lively atmosphere filled with anticipation. The text also hints at various adventures awaiting the characters in Europe, fostering an environment ripe for comically impromptu moments and heartfelt reunions.
Jane Abbott
Happy House
"Happy House" by Jane Abbott is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Anne Leavitt, who recently graduated from college and is faced with the prospect of a significant change in her life. As she grapples with the bittersweet feelings of leaving her friends behind, fortune unexpectedly arrives in the form of a letter from a great-aunt she's barely heard of, inviting her to visit her ancestral home, Happy House, on North Hero Island. This invitation sets off a journey filled with family legacies, secrets, and the challenges of identity. The opening of the novel establishes a poignant farewell among three young women as they prepare for their futures post-graduation. Anne, Claire, and Nancy reminisce about their college days and express a mix of anxiety and excitement about the paths ahead. A letter addressed to Anne from her great-aunt surprises the trio, revealing that Anne's visit to North Hero could become more than just a trip; it may involve inheriting a family fortune. As Nancy decides to impersonate Anne and undertake the trip in her stead, the narrative hints at the complexities of relationships, the weight of heritage, and the impact of decisions that shape our identities. The story promises a blend of adventure and introspection as Nancy navigates her new role within a family she hardly knows, set against the backdrop of a historically rich and mysterious home.
Amy Ella Blanchard
An independent daughter
"An independent daughter" by Amy Ella Blanchard is a novel written in the late 19th century. It centers on Persis Holmes, a warm, capable college graduate who aims to live independently—balancing study, work, travel, and duty—while moving through friendships, family ties, and early romances. The tone is domestic and social, with lively scenes, humor, and a thoughtful tug-of-war between home-making and modern aspirations. The opening of An independent daughter follows Persis through her final college days: teasing dorm antics, a pact with friends Patty and Nettie to be “The Cheerful Three,” a prank with a pillow manikin, and a moonlit serenade answered by candy lowered from a window. A lively cooking-club supper shows the book’s blend of fun and competence, as Patty’s bread wins a prize and Mr. Danforth, a steady family friend, quietly impresses. Class Day brings Persis’s graduation, flowers from Mr. Dan and Basil Phillips, and a conversation with an admiral that frames the story’s theme—independence versus traditional home life. Lisa’s elegant June wedding follows, with Persis’s mixed joy and sadness, hints of suitors in the circle, and the first real friction with younger sister Mellicent, whose vanity and defensiveness trouble the family. After a quarrel, Persis seeks her grandmother’s counsel and secretly arranges a Narragansett trip for Mellicent and Grandma, while accepting Aunt Esther’s invitation for her own summer journey.
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