Subject
Young women -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
Amy Le Feuvre
A bit of rough road
No description available.
Amy Le Feuvre
Joan's handful
No description available.
Louisa May Alcott
A Garland for Girls
"A Garland for Girls" by Louisa May Alcott is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The book centers around the lives of young girls navigating societal expectations, personal aspirations, and the complexities of charity and friendship as they strive to better themselves and the world around them. The opening of "A Garland for Girls" presents a group of six Boston girls who form a club for mental improvement, dubbed the Mayflower Club. As they reconvene after summer, they engage in discussions filled with lively gossip and heartfelt resolutions to help less fortunate individuals in their community. Each girl grapples with her feelings about charity, expressing both enthusiasm and reluctance, while coming up with personal challenges to make a positive impact. The chapter reveals the girls' diverse personalities and sets the stage for their individual journeys toward empowerment and social responsibility, ultimately highlighting the bond of friendship and the transformative power of helping others.
Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards
Queen Hildegarde
"Queen Hildegarde" by Laura E. Richards is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around a young girl named Hilda Graham, who is faced with the prospect of spending her summer away from her privileged city life and instead living with a rural family on a farm. The initial challenges she faces reflect her struggles with identity, newfound responsibilities, and the emotional turmoil of leaving her familiar surroundings. At the start of the book, we meet Hilda's concerned parents discussing her lack of health and joy, ultimately deciding that she should be sent to stay with Mrs. Hartley, an old nurse, to improve her well-being away from the city. Hilda is initially upset and resistive, believing her parents are being cruel by leaving her behind. However, as she arrives at Hartley's Glen and becomes acquainted with her new environment, she experiences a journey of self-discovery. Hilda begins to forge new relationships, most notably with a local boy named Bubble Chirk, and gradually learns to appreciate the simpler life of the countryside. This opening sets the stage for her transformation from a discontented city girl to a more grounded and compassionate individual.
Eglanton Thorne
Aldyth's inheritance
"Aldyth's Inheritance" by Eglanton Thorne is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Aldyth Lorraine, a young girl raised by her aunt after her mother leaves to start a new life in Australia. The narrative explores themes of family, longing, and the influence of education, as Aldyth navigates her relationships with her cousins and her position in her uncle's estate. At the start of the book, we are introduced to the Bland family and their lively household, where we find Aldyth's closest friends, Hilda and Kitty. As they play in their garden, we learn about Aldyth’s past and her longing for her mother, who left her in the care of her aunt when she moved to Australia. The interactions among the siblings and their charming visitor, a new schoolmaster named John Glynne, establish a foundation of friendships and budding feelings that are likely to grow. The opening sets the stage for Aldyth's emotional journey as she balances her yearning for her mother, her friendships, and the newfound excitement of literature lectures organized by her caring aunt.
Elizabeth W. (Elizabeth Williams) Champney
Witch Winnie: The Story of a "King's Daughter"
"Witch Winnie: The Story of a 'King's Daughter'" by Elizabeth W. Champney is a charming novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around the character of Witch Winnie, a vivacious and imaginative young girl, who is introduced into a boarding school known for its proper and well-behaved pupils. The story unfolds through the eyes of Nellie Smith, one of Winnie’s new classmates, who grapples with her shifting social dynamics as Winnie shakes up their well-ordered lives. The opening of the book introduces us to the structured life at Madame's boarding school, where the privileged girls of the "Amen Corner" take pride in their good behavior. The arrival of Witch Winnie disrupts their routine, and tensions arise as the girls react to her impulsive and lively antics. As Winnie finds her footing among her new peers, she ultimately wins their hearts through her generosity and daring spirit, turning initial disdain into friendship. This sets the stage for various escapades, highlighting themes of companionship, social class, and personal growth in a vibrant boarding school setting.
Marion Ames Taggart
The Wyndham Girls
"The Wyndham Girls" by Marion Ames Taggart is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story focuses on the lives of the Wyndham sisters, Jessamy and Barbara, along with their cousin Phyllis, as they navigate the complexities of youth, friendship, and change after a sudden financial crisis alters their once comfortable lives. As these young women grapple with their new realities, they strive to maintain their dignity while discovering their own strengths and potential. The opening of the book introduces the three main characters who are preparing for the upcoming social season, excited about choosing gowns for the elegant dance events at Bar Harbor. However, their cheerful plans are quickly overshadowed by a visit from Mr. Hurd, a lawyer who delivers devastating news of their family's financial ruin due to the failure of the Wyndham Iron Company. This pivotal moment shatters their world of privilege and elegance, leading them to confront the harsh realities of their new situation as they attempt to adjust to their drastically changed circumstances. The contrast between their former life and the challenges they now face forms the emotional core of the story, setting the stage for their journey toward resilience and self-discovery.
Elizabeth W. (Elizabeth Williams) Champney
Witch Winnie's Mystery, or The Old Oak Cabinet: The Story of a King's Daughter
"Witch Winnie's Mystery, or The Old Oak Cabinet: The Story of a King's Daughter" by Elizabeth W. Champney is a novel written in the late 19th century. It narrates the adventures of a group of girls at a boarding school, focusing particularly on their energetic friend Winnie, whose mischievous yet charming personality leads to various escapades. At its core, the story explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and the dilemmas faced by young women navigating their lives and social relations in a structured setting. The opening of the book introduces us to the main characters, a tight-knit group collectively known as the "Amen Corner," who have their lives intertwined through school activities and charity work. As the story unfolds, the friendships among the girls are tested by the arrival of a new student and the subsequent tensions that arise. The central plot conflict revolves around a theft that raises suspicions among the friends, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and prompting the reader to question loyalties. Winnie's bold nature is highlighted as she leads her friends into both playful and contentious situations, setting the stage for a delightful combination of mystery and character growth.
Eglanton Thorne
Her own way
"Her Own Way" by Eglanton Thorne is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around Juliet Tracy, a headstrong and defiant young woman from a modest background who struggles to find her place in a world governed by societal expectations. As her older sisters, Hannah and Salome, seek to instill in her a sense of duty and propriety, Juliet's impulsive nature and desire for independence lead her towards a potentially troublesome friendship with the unconventional Flossie Chalcombe. The opening of the book introduces the Tracy family dynamic, highlighting the tensions between Juliet and her sisters, who are more responsible and conservative in their views. Mrs. Tracy appears caught between her affection for her daughter's free-spirited nature and the societal pressures that dictate how a young woman should behave. As Juliet arrives home late after spending time with Flossie, the narrative showcases her charm and recklessness, leading to conflicts within the household. The reader is set up to witness Juliet's journey, her defiance against her sisters' expectations, and the ensuing consequences of her actions, particularly as she faces the prospect of becoming a governess against her will.
L. T. Meade
Girls New and Old
"Girls New and Old" by L. T. Meade is a fictional novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story explores the life of Molly Lavender, a fifteen-year-old girl who arrives at Redgarth, a large school for girls in England, filled with excitement and apprehension as she begins her new educational journey. The book delves into themes of friendship, personal growth, and the challenges of adapting to a new environment as Molly navigates her relationships with her classmates at St. Dorothy's, one of the school's residences. The beginning of the novel introduces readers to Molly as she arrives at Redgarth, where she is welcomed by the school's principal, Miss Leicester. Feeling nervous yet eager, Molly quickly becomes acquainted with some of her peers, including the lively and charismatic Kate O'Connor. As they bond over shared experiences and navigate the school's dynamics, Molly's hopes are interwoven with her friendship with Cecil, her best friend who she hopes will join her soon. The opening chapters set the stage for exploring Molly's challenges and triumphs as she settles into her new life at the school.
George de Horne Vaizey
About Peggy Saville
"About Peggy Saville" by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey is a novel written in the late 19th century. It follows the life of Peggy Saville, a girl who transitions from a life in India to living at a vicarage in England along with the vicar's children. The narrative unfolds as Peggy navigates her new environment, forging friendships, and revealing her charming yet mischievous character. At the start of the story, the Vicar of Renton receives a letter from Mrs. Saville regarding her daughter Peggy, who is set to move in with the vicar's family while her mother returns to India. The vicar and his wife, Mrs. Asplin, discuss the logistics of accommodating Peggy, who is described as a bright and clever girl despite her past struggles in school. As Peggy arrives, her unique personality and flair are immediately apparent—she exhibits both a sense of confidence and a tendency to stir up mischief. The opening chapters depict her early interactions with the vicar's children and set the stage for the humorous and heartfelt tales of her new life and the charm she brings to her surroundings.
Harriet Martineau
Five years of youth : $b or, sense and sentiment
"Five Years of Youth; or, Sense and Sentiment" by Harriet Martineau is a novel written in the early 19th century. The book centers on the lives of two young sisters, Mary and Anna Byerley, who navigate their upbringing without a mother, relying on their father and a nurturing community around them. The narrative explores themes of familial love, personal growth, and the impacts of societal expectations on women's lives. The opening of the novel introduces the sisters living in a farmhouse near a small town, detailing their playful interactions and memories of their deceased mother. Through vivid descriptions of their surroundings and relationships, Martineau sets the stage for the exploration of the girls' characters and the development of their virtues influenced by everyday circumstances. As they visit with nearby children and interact with their father, the foundation of their upbringing amidst emotional challenges and joys begins to unfold, establishing the emotional depth and societal context in which their story takes place.
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