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Hardcover
First published January 1, 1925
About the author
Nelia Gardner White
28 books13 followersNelia Gardner White, one of five children of a Methodist minister, lived in several small towns as she was growing up. Though the family had very little money, the atmosphere of the home was happy; life was filled with "books, friends, and fun." By taking many different sorts of jobs, White was able to attend Syracuse University for two years (1911-13) and the Emma Willard Kindergarten School (1913-15). After several years as a kindergarten teacher, she married a lawyer. The couple had two children.
During World War II, as a guest of the British Ministry of Information, White wrote articles about England. In 1948 she won the $8,000 prize in the Westminster Press Fiction Contest with her novel No Trumpet Before Him. White gives great credit for her start as a writer to Maude Stewart, a teacher in the kindergarten school who helped her toward an understanding of human character and of the various relationships between people. White contributed articles about child care to a kindergarten magazine. She began writing fiction with stories for kindergarten children and four novels for young people and then branched out to adult fiction. The rest of her life is a record of much industry and a great deal of success. Hundreds of her stories appeared in such popular magazines as the American, Ladies' Home Journal, People's Home Journal, Midland, McCall's, Pictorial Review, Forum, and Good Housekeeping. In addition, she wrote 25 novels.
During World War II, as a guest of the British Ministry of Information, White wrote articles about England. In 1948 she won the $8,000 prize in the Westminster Press Fiction Contest with her novel No Trumpet Before Him. White gives great credit for her start as a writer to Maude Stewart, a teacher in the kindergarten school who helped her toward an understanding of human character and of the various relationships between people. White contributed articles about child care to a kindergarten magazine. She began writing fiction with stories for kindergarten children and four novels for young people and then branched out to adult fiction. The rest of her life is a record of much industry and a great deal of success. Hundreds of her stories appeared in such popular magazines as the American, Ladies' Home Journal, People's Home Journal, Midland, McCall's, Pictorial Review, Forum, and Good Housekeeping. In addition, she wrote 25 novels.
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January 9, 2026
Nelia Gardner White is best known for her fiction for adults, but she started out her career by writing for children.
Mary, published in 1925, is the first of a trilogy about the four children of a minister's family. Mary, the oldest is shy and slow to adjust to changes. This is unfortunate as the family has to move so much, and the book opens with yet another relocation. Friendship with Michael, a boy who lives in the big house across the street from their new place, helps Mary adjust to her new home, and also distracts from her jealousy over her sister Marge getting to spend a year with a rich aunt. Mysteriously, Michael's Uncle Quinn doesn't allow his nephew to go to school or to socialize with the townspeople. Mary and her brother Matt form a club to investigate this mystery -- a club which somewhat oddly, Michael eventually joins too, as it turns out he also doesn't understand what's going on.
Although the mystery element is a tad far fetched, I enjoyed this story. It's well written, and I cared about the characters, and the developing relationships Mary has with her siblings, and even enjoyed the descriptions of Uncle Quinn's antiques. I'm looking forward to reading the two sequels, which fortunately I have to hand. The next one is Marge -- will it be about her year of lonely luxury or about how she adjusts to returning to her family?
Mary, published in 1925, is the first of a trilogy about the four children of a minister's family. Mary, the oldest is shy and slow to adjust to changes. This is unfortunate as the family has to move so much, and the book opens with yet another relocation. Friendship with Michael, a boy who lives in the big house across the street from their new place, helps Mary adjust to her new home, and also distracts from her jealousy over her sister Marge getting to spend a year with a rich aunt. Mysteriously, Michael's Uncle Quinn doesn't allow his nephew to go to school or to socialize with the townspeople. Mary and her brother Matt form a club to investigate this mystery -- a club which somewhat oddly, Michael eventually joins too, as it turns out he also doesn't understand what's going on.
Although the mystery element is a tad far fetched, I enjoyed this story. It's well written, and I cared about the characters, and the developing relationships Mary has with her siblings, and even enjoyed the descriptions of Uncle Quinn's antiques. I'm looking forward to reading the two sequels, which fortunately I have to hand. The next one is Marge -- will it be about her year of lonely luxury or about how she adjusts to returning to her family?
Displaying 1 of 1 review