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Adventures of Mary Jane
In this brand new reimagining, Mary Jane—the red-headed spark from Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", who stole Huck's heart in just 30 pages—comes to life with her own story of adventuring down the Mississippi River in the 1840's.
* * *
Meet Mary Jane Guild — she’s on a dangerous and unpredictable adventure down the Mississippi River — and she’ll steal Huck Finn’s heart along the way.
In these chapters you’ll come to know the real Mary a girl on her own dangerous and unpredictable journey down the Mississippi River in pre–Civil War America. Equipped with an uncanny ability for mathematics, a talent for sewing, and a bale of beaver skins, Mary Jane navigates deadly illnesses, angry mobs, treacherous landowners, outright thieves and swindlers, and more than a thousand miles of muddy water. What’s more, she thrives in the face of these challenges, thanks to support from a caring boat captain, generous neighbors, a cheery peddler, a chosen family, a loyal and loving dog, and two hardworking horses. Traveling solo requires Mary Jane to grow up fast, but it ultimately leads her to a new resilience, a love of adventure, deep and enduring sisterhood, and a blue-eyed, pony-tailed boy she can’t stop thinking about.
Jahren offers a wealth of layered characters and deeply researched, authentic details of changing times in the North and South. Using the language and style of Twain and shifting the point of view to a smart and determined young woman, she explores timeless themes of duty, family, romance, and betrayal, with grit and courage at the core.
* * *
Meet Mary Jane Guild — she’s on a dangerous and unpredictable adventure down the Mississippi River — and she’ll steal Huck Finn’s heart along the way.
In these chapters you’ll come to know the real Mary a girl on her own dangerous and unpredictable journey down the Mississippi River in pre–Civil War America. Equipped with an uncanny ability for mathematics, a talent for sewing, and a bale of beaver skins, Mary Jane navigates deadly illnesses, angry mobs, treacherous landowners, outright thieves and swindlers, and more than a thousand miles of muddy water. What’s more, she thrives in the face of these challenges, thanks to support from a caring boat captain, generous neighbors, a cheery peddler, a chosen family, a loyal and loving dog, and two hardworking horses. Traveling solo requires Mary Jane to grow up fast, but it ultimately leads her to a new resilience, a love of adventure, deep and enduring sisterhood, and a blue-eyed, pony-tailed boy she can’t stop thinking about.
Jahren offers a wealth of layered characters and deeply researched, authentic details of changing times in the North and South. Using the language and style of Twain and shifting the point of view to a smart and determined young woman, she explores timeless themes of duty, family, romance, and betrayal, with grit and courage at the core.
464 pages, Hardcover
First published June 25, 2024
37 people are currently reading
769 people want to read
About the author
Hope Jahren
10 books2,064 followersHOPE JAHREN is a teacher, scientist, and book lover living in Oslo, Norway. Recognized as one Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Jahren is the recipient of three Fulbright Awards and was named one of the Brilliant 10 by Popular Science magazine in 2005. She is the author of two works of nonfiction: The Story of More and Lab Girl, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography. Adventures of Mary Jane is her first work of fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 13, 2024
To begin with, some disclaimers and a confession.
The disclaimers: I received an ARC of this book (shipped all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, much like Morfar himself) from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. And I've known the author since high school, so while I'll endeavor to be fair and honest, don't expect me to be objective.
The confession: I'm pretty sure the last time I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was when I was in junior high; that's assuming that I've ever read the entire book cover-to-cover.
And, in the interest of scrupulous honesty, the one thing that slightly bugged me -- one of Mary Jane's prized possessions on her adventures is her copy of Charles Dickens' A Child's History of England, but Mary Jane's adventures are taking place in the year 1846, and the Dickens book wasn't actually published in full until 1853; but really, what's 7 or 8 years amongst friends?
So if, unlike me, you have read Huckleberry Finn sometime in the last 40 years, you probably remember Mary Jane as the girl he encounters near the end of his travels. (And if, like me, you haven't read Huckleberry Finn in a shockingly long time, fear not: Mary Jane's story stands more than well enough on its own.)
As events begin, Mary Jane, age 14-ish, is living well up to the north on the shores of Lake Winnipeg with her Morfar (grandfather) and Ma (her mother). Things start off with a literal bang -- the Company's trading post (as happens not infrequently) is in the process of burning down, and, well, there are these sheds of gunpowder ... But that's just the sort of thing that you have to expect, what with all of the tarred-pine construction and the rum-soaked voyageurs; and it just means that it's time for the annual trek to Fort Snelling, 500 miles further south.
But this time, that's just the beginning of Mary Jane's travels -- there's a letter from Aunt Evelyn down in Fort Rockford saying she, Uncle George, and their two daughters could use a hand, so Mary Jane will be sent packing on a voyage that will ultimately take her much of the length of the Mississippi River on an assortment of steamboats, during which she'll encounter any number of colorful characters, some genuinely good people (looking at YOU, Mrs. Captain), others ... distinctly less so, and find herself having to scramble (and bend the truth right to the breaking point) to keep herself and her two cousins together, and have to do a whole lot of growing up before ultimately encountering a fine-looking blond boy with a ponytail at Peter Wilks' tannery in Greenville.
And I really don't want to say a whole lot more than that because one of the joys of this book is in the discovery; but what I will say is that I enjoyed it immensely -- Hope has done an amazing job here in capturing the voice and attitude of a remarkable (albeit sometimes naive) girl of her time having some extraordinary adventures. Adventures that, to be clear, are not all sunshine and roses -- the story doesn't shy away from the darker parts of Mary Jane's tale, including bouts with something that may or may not have been typhoid (both her own and others'), the fact that some folks are, well, just plain bad (or worse, mostly good but with some deep, dark undercurrents of bad) and, of course, once she gets into the southern part of the country, its Peculiar Institution; and sometimes having really good intentions or even trying to do the right thing just can't be enough.
And now I probably should go off and read Huckleberry Finn to acquaint myself with the events as shown from his point of view ...
The disclaimers: I received an ARC of this book (shipped all the way across the Atlantic Ocean, much like Morfar himself) from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. And I've known the author since high school, so while I'll endeavor to be fair and honest, don't expect me to be objective.
The confession: I'm pretty sure the last time I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was when I was in junior high; that's assuming that I've ever read the entire book cover-to-cover.
And, in the interest of scrupulous honesty, the one thing that slightly bugged me -- one of Mary Jane's prized possessions on her adventures is her copy of Charles Dickens' A Child's History of England, but Mary Jane's adventures are taking place in the year 1846, and the Dickens book wasn't actually published in full until 1853; but really, what's 7 or 8 years amongst friends?
So if, unlike me, you have read Huckleberry Finn sometime in the last 40 years, you probably remember Mary Jane as the girl he encounters near the end of his travels. (And if, like me, you haven't read Huckleberry Finn in a shockingly long time, fear not: Mary Jane's story stands more than well enough on its own.)
As events begin, Mary Jane, age 14-ish, is living well up to the north on the shores of Lake Winnipeg with her Morfar (grandfather) and Ma (her mother). Things start off with a literal bang -- the Company's trading post (as happens not infrequently) is in the process of burning down, and, well, there are these sheds of gunpowder ... But that's just the sort of thing that you have to expect, what with all of the tarred-pine construction and the rum-soaked voyageurs; and it just means that it's time for the annual trek to Fort Snelling, 500 miles further south.
But this time, that's just the beginning of Mary Jane's travels -- there's a letter from Aunt Evelyn down in Fort Rockford saying she, Uncle George, and their two daughters could use a hand, so Mary Jane will be sent packing on a voyage that will ultimately take her much of the length of the Mississippi River on an assortment of steamboats, during which she'll encounter any number of colorful characters, some genuinely good people (looking at YOU, Mrs. Captain), others ... distinctly less so, and find herself having to scramble (and bend the truth right to the breaking point) to keep herself and her two cousins together, and have to do a whole lot of growing up before ultimately encountering a fine-looking blond boy with a ponytail at Peter Wilks' tannery in Greenville.
And I really don't want to say a whole lot more than that because one of the joys of this book is in the discovery; but what I will say is that I enjoyed it immensely -- Hope has done an amazing job here in capturing the voice and attitude of a remarkable (albeit sometimes naive) girl of her time having some extraordinary adventures. Adventures that, to be clear, are not all sunshine and roses -- the story doesn't shy away from the darker parts of Mary Jane's tale, including bouts with something that may or may not have been typhoid (both her own and others'), the fact that some folks are, well, just plain bad (or worse, mostly good but with some deep, dark undercurrents of bad) and, of course, once she gets into the southern part of the country, its Peculiar Institution; and sometimes having really good intentions or even trying to do the right thing just can't be enough.
And now I probably should go off and read Huckleberry Finn to acquaint myself with the events as shown from his point of view ...
June 17, 2024
My wife received an advance copy of this book, but I started reading it too and before long, we had three different bookmarks sticking out of the pages – one for her, one for me, and one for our son (middle school) – each jockeying for the lead. I give my review here based on my experiences reading it to our pre-teen son.
The book was a little above my son’s reading level, so I kept a chapter or two ahead to screen for content, and read the book aloud to him. I’ll also preface this review by saying he’s not an avid reader, and normally prefers non-fiction over fiction. Nonetheless, he never let a night go by without asking me to read more of the story to him!
I think one of the reasons he liked the book so much was that it is historically accurate (the author is a research scientist and it shows) overlain with an exceptional story of adventure (her other books, which are non-fiction, are also great stories). The map in the front of the book was helpful to both of us as Mary Jane ventured down the Mississippi. He laughed at the characters she encountered, including the description of Mrs. Captain scratching her back on a tree like big brown bear, and found commonality with Mary Jane and her fondness and talent with numbers (adding money like a human calculator). We all loved the animals, especially the humorously named “That Cat,” the two Clydesdales, Samson and Delilah, and of course, Cherry the dog.
My son asked a lot of questions about if that is how things really were in the 1800s, which told me he was both paying attention and following along. There were a lot of opportunities to discuss tolerance (for example, he asked why people were mean to the kind-hearted and generous Schmidt family, who are harassed for being Mormons). If reading to a pre-teen, I will say that reading ahead is a good idea, especially for the second half of the book as Mary Jane ventures south of the Mason Dixon line.
As for me, I never read Huck Finn, so just started reading on a lark (my wife is a big fan of historical fiction and why she got a copy of the book), but I do not think that mattered. I suspect there’s nuance or references to the classic that I may have missed and would appeal to a Samuel Clemens fan, but if so, I did not feel it. It reads like a stand-alone adventure story, not a sequel that requires reading the other books in the series. I learned in the author’s notes at the end, that some of the dialogue in the story is actually Twain’s (which if you read Huck Finn of late may have then been familiar, but not to me).
I found that the mix of accents used in the story, although authentic, were difficult in the first chapters, but then became easier (especially when reading aloud to my son) as the story moved along and I think we both had their voices in our heads. The Mississippi slows down as it winds south, but the story speeds up, as evidenced by our bookmarks, which jumped faster ahead as we moved deeper into her adventures.
Their’s great humor (the Millerites predicting the end of the world on a specific date, only to then conclude that October 22, 1844 was not in fact October 22, 1844) and sadness (I won’t give spoilers) that keeps the pages turning as Mary Jane grows from a smart, but naïve 14-year old to a more mature and savvy leader.
Overall it was one of those rare books with enjoyment for the whole family (we like to find stories that we can all read, and this is certainly one of them). It really is a perfect summer read for parents and teens alike.
The book was a little above my son’s reading level, so I kept a chapter or two ahead to screen for content, and read the book aloud to him. I’ll also preface this review by saying he’s not an avid reader, and normally prefers non-fiction over fiction. Nonetheless, he never let a night go by without asking me to read more of the story to him!
I think one of the reasons he liked the book so much was that it is historically accurate (the author is a research scientist and it shows) overlain with an exceptional story of adventure (her other books, which are non-fiction, are also great stories). The map in the front of the book was helpful to both of us as Mary Jane ventured down the Mississippi. He laughed at the characters she encountered, including the description of Mrs. Captain scratching her back on a tree like big brown bear, and found commonality with Mary Jane and her fondness and talent with numbers (adding money like a human calculator). We all loved the animals, especially the humorously named “That Cat,” the two Clydesdales, Samson and Delilah, and of course, Cherry the dog.
My son asked a lot of questions about if that is how things really were in the 1800s, which told me he was both paying attention and following along. There were a lot of opportunities to discuss tolerance (for example, he asked why people were mean to the kind-hearted and generous Schmidt family, who are harassed for being Mormons). If reading to a pre-teen, I will say that reading ahead is a good idea, especially for the second half of the book as Mary Jane ventures south of the Mason Dixon line.
As for me, I never read Huck Finn, so just started reading on a lark (my wife is a big fan of historical fiction and why she got a copy of the book), but I do not think that mattered. I suspect there’s nuance or references to the classic that I may have missed and would appeal to a Samuel Clemens fan, but if so, I did not feel it. It reads like a stand-alone adventure story, not a sequel that requires reading the other books in the series. I learned in the author’s notes at the end, that some of the dialogue in the story is actually Twain’s (which if you read Huck Finn of late may have then been familiar, but not to me).
I found that the mix of accents used in the story, although authentic, were difficult in the first chapters, but then became easier (especially when reading aloud to my son) as the story moved along and I think we both had their voices in our heads. The Mississippi slows down as it winds south, but the story speeds up, as evidenced by our bookmarks, which jumped faster ahead as we moved deeper into her adventures.
Their’s great humor (the Millerites predicting the end of the world on a specific date, only to then conclude that October 22, 1844 was not in fact October 22, 1844) and sadness (I won’t give spoilers) that keeps the pages turning as Mary Jane grows from a smart, but naïve 14-year old to a more mature and savvy leader.
Overall it was one of those rare books with enjoyment for the whole family (we like to find stories that we can all read, and this is certainly one of them). It really is a perfect summer read for parents and teens alike.
August 9, 2024
Too much golly gee willikers energy. Aggressively earnest and will appeal to fans of Anne of Green Gables. Reads exceptionally young, apart from a couple instances (no spoilers). I don’t get all the praise for how the characters white saviorism is slapped down—the book is trying hard to fit with its contemporaries and I feel like you see those mechanics at war there. Between modern readers needing her to be scandalized and want to fix it, and also not wanting to sell a lie that she could, and also highlight her bumbling ignorance/naïveté here too.
Including Samuel Clements felt a bit smarmy and self-congratulatory.
Why does every character seem to need a catchphrase? It is unnaturally annoying and reminds me of the midcentury child actor accent (What’s that Lassie? Everyone seems to get typhoid. You don’t say). I do low key love that the MC is probably killing off everyone with her typhoid infection, and being a Typhoid Mary is just a step too far (like the author clearly knows she’s doing it and that kids reading won’t get that, and I am also further annoyed by this).
As preachy as the novels of the era it’s attempting to replicate, but without the patina that excuses their cumbersome dialogue as quaint.
Including Samuel Clements felt a bit smarmy and self-congratulatory.
Why does every character seem to need a catchphrase? It is unnaturally annoying and reminds me of the midcentury child actor accent (What’s that Lassie? Everyone seems to get typhoid. You don’t say). I do low key love that the MC is probably killing off everyone with her typhoid infection, and being a Typhoid Mary is just a step too far (like the author clearly knows she’s doing it and that kids reading won’t get that, and I am also further annoyed by this).
As preachy as the novels of the era it’s attempting to replicate, but without the patina that excuses their cumbersome dialogue as quaint.
June 20, 2024
I greatly enjoyed Hope Jahren’s Adventures of Mary Jane, telling the story of Mary Jane from Huckleberry Finn, where she was a minor character. I was intrigued by the author’s note in the Introduction that she had always felt that Mary Jane was a character who deserved more attention than she got in Huckleberry Finn and realized that she could fix that by writing Mary Jane’s story herself. And she delivered.
I must confess that it has been a while since I read Huckleberry Finn, but that did not matter. From the start, the Adventures of Mary Jane was an engrossing page turner, telling the story of a smart, courageous, resourceful young woman doing her best in some tough situations, and finding out that her best is usually pretty darn good (despite her doubts). It is also a coming of age tale as Mary Jane matures from a naïve and obedient girl living with her family at an isolated trading post in the far north to a young woman calling her own shots in Mississippi. And it is a story of kindness, family, and found family as Mary Jane makes her way down the river with the help of others, while also helping and caring for those that need her. There are many memorable characters, both human, like Mrs. Captain and Widow Bartley, and non-human, like the mechanical Robert Fulton (thank you, Robert Fulton!); the horses Samson and Delilah; and Cherry the dog. As an animal lover, I appreciated that some of the animals had more sense than most people. In addition, the book was very well researched and historically accurate, meaning that I learned a lot about northern trading posts and Mississippi river life in the period, all while enjoying a very good read. That is definitely a plus. I highly recommend the Adventures of Mary Jane, for young adults and those of all ages who like a good story.
I must confess that it has been a while since I read Huckleberry Finn, but that did not matter. From the start, the Adventures of Mary Jane was an engrossing page turner, telling the story of a smart, courageous, resourceful young woman doing her best in some tough situations, and finding out that her best is usually pretty darn good (despite her doubts). It is also a coming of age tale as Mary Jane matures from a naïve and obedient girl living with her family at an isolated trading post in the far north to a young woman calling her own shots in Mississippi. And it is a story of kindness, family, and found family as Mary Jane makes her way down the river with the help of others, while also helping and caring for those that need her. There are many memorable characters, both human, like Mrs. Captain and Widow Bartley, and non-human, like the mechanical Robert Fulton (thank you, Robert Fulton!); the horses Samson and Delilah; and Cherry the dog. As an animal lover, I appreciated that some of the animals had more sense than most people. In addition, the book was very well researched and historically accurate, meaning that I learned a lot about northern trading posts and Mississippi river life in the period, all while enjoying a very good read. That is definitely a plus. I highly recommend the Adventures of Mary Jane, for young adults and those of all ages who like a good story.
February 5, 2024
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Adventures of Mary Jane. It was a fast paced story. I loved the supporting characters especially Mrs. Captain and Rooster. I think all characters were well developed and interesting. I learned a lot about the time period and relations between different groups of people.. I love a good author's note at the end explaining more about the story. I loved the found family. I will purchase this for our high school library.
I enjoyed Adventures of Mary Jane. It was a fast paced story. I loved the supporting characters especially Mrs. Captain and Rooster. I think all characters were well developed and interesting. I learned a lot about the time period and relations between different groups of people.. I love a good author's note at the end explaining more about the story. I loved the found family. I will purchase this for our high school library.
July 27, 2024
This was a page-turner for me.
I loved Lab Girl so when I saw that Hope Jahren had written a YA fiction novel, I jumped on it. It was as good as I had hoped. It's about 5 months in the life of young Mary Jane, a character from Huckleberry Finn. I never read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
but it didn't matter.
Her emotionally distant mother sends Mary Jane down the Mississippi to help her aunt and family. On the way, she discovers talents she never knew she had and meets new friends who become family. Besides the theme of Girl Power there is much realistic history here, about slavery, the Mississippi River boats, immigrants, Mormons, Jews, and more. Each character is derived from a real person gleaned from history.
I hope Hope writes more fiction in the future! Now I have to read Huckleberry Finn.
I loved Lab Girl so when I saw that Hope Jahren had written a YA fiction novel, I jumped on it. It was as good as I had hoped. It's about 5 months in the life of young Mary Jane, a character from Huckleberry Finn. I never read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
but it didn't matter.
Her emotionally distant mother sends Mary Jane down the Mississippi to help her aunt and family. On the way, she discovers talents she never knew she had and meets new friends who become family. Besides the theme of Girl Power there is much realistic history here, about slavery, the Mississippi River boats, immigrants, Mormons, Jews, and more. Each character is derived from a real person gleaned from history.
I hope Hope writes more fiction in the future! Now I have to read Huckleberry Finn.
July 15, 2024
An adventure for the ages! I absolutely loved The Adventures of Mary Jane. This book follows the ups and downs of Mary Jane’s travels along the Mississippi in the 1800s, and is an epic tale through and through. We meet many colorful characters throughout the book, all of whom teach Mary Jane (and the readers) something important about growing up in the world. What I liked most about this story (other than the fact that it centers a young, brave, smart woman) is that our protagonist is not perfect! She certainly makes mistakes, but she always reflects and tries to learn from the past in order to become a better person. Additionally, I love how thorough the author was when creating the historical setting and characters. It felt like a deeply rich story with perfectly imperfect friends, family, and foes that make up the beautiful tapestry of this snippet of Mary Jane’s life. As a teacher of children, I’ve noticed that they are drawn to stories in the same way adults are — stories that are funny, happy, adventurous, weird, and a little scary. These are the stories that make us think, and for that reason, I think this book can span across many ages (with the awareness that this book does include content that is somewhat-explicitly about sexual assault. I encourage adults to read this before handing it to young-young kiddos). This book is, on the whole, about making decisions, living with those choices, growing up, life and love. 5 stars!
June 24, 2024
There is something so endlessly fascinating about the westward expansion era of the United States. While it is hard to truly imagine the absolute strength it would take to endure daily living, perhaps it is the fortitude of that grit that brings the allure of the time. Hope Jahren reimagines the classic world of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn with a fresh and innovative spin on the life of Mary Jane, a young girl that even modern readers, both young and old, will connect with throughout this beautifully told tale. Adventures of Mary Jane is a brilliantly balanced and clever piece of historical fiction. While nearly two centuries have passed since the beloved Mary Jane learned life’s lessons on the bank of the Mississippi, the same young adult themes resonate vividly through these pages.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
August 1, 2024
A well-researched, thoughtfully composed Young Adult book about a very young woman traveling the Mississippi River alone in the mid 1800s. The compelling plot, well-drawn characters, and wealth of detail about life in Pre-Civil war America combine for a fascinating read. Highly recommend this one.
May 3, 2025
Really fun, engaging story. There was one event in the book that was really disturbing for me. Other than that it was a fun, easy ready. I can't say that I'd put it in the same category as Mark Twain, but definitely the she time period and location.
June 29, 2024
This book provides more insight into the character of Mary Jane from Huckleberry Finn.
Mary Jane, one of the side characters of Huckleberry Finn, shines in this book. It showcases the story of a girl who faced many hardships in the pre-Civil War era. Read on because you're about to be taken on a daring adventure.
This captivating book centers on the empowerment of young girls, a theme that deeply resonated with me. The author's attention to detail in depicting the pre-Civil War era and vivid portrayals of daily life during that time truly brought the story to life for me. The historical fiction genre added an extra layer of enjoyment, as it's a personal favorite of mine.
The main character, Mary Jane, stood out as a remarkable and admirable young girl. Her cousins, Susan and Joanna, were wonderfully endearing characters. Mrs. Captain, a friend of Mary Jane's, was a delightful and memorable addition to the story, and her kindness left a lasting impact on me.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates Huckleberry Finn and has a passion for history.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @tbrbeyondtours & @delacortepress for sending me a copy of your book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Mary Jane, one of the side characters of Huckleberry Finn, shines in this book. It showcases the story of a girl who faced many hardships in the pre-Civil War era. Read on because you're about to be taken on a daring adventure.
This captivating book centers on the empowerment of young girls, a theme that deeply resonated with me. The author's attention to detail in depicting the pre-Civil War era and vivid portrayals of daily life during that time truly brought the story to life for me. The historical fiction genre added an extra layer of enjoyment, as it's a personal favorite of mine.
The main character, Mary Jane, stood out as a remarkable and admirable young girl. Her cousins, Susan and Joanna, were wonderfully endearing characters. Mrs. Captain, a friend of Mary Jane's, was a delightful and memorable addition to the story, and her kindness left a lasting impact on me.
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates Huckleberry Finn and has a passion for history.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @tbrbeyondtours & @delacortepress for sending me a copy of your book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 26, 2024
Strong, independent teen girls in the 1800s in literature are usually only slightly defiant of societal standards. Mary Jane breaks this mold, and becomes a character Mark Twain himself would have been proud to develop beyond a brief meeting with Huck he gave us. She is proud and humble, fearful and brave, and powerful in more ways than she herself could imagine. Every scene brings her to life in a new way in this amazing tale that is an ode to Twain’s style, morality, and stories. The historical research that is the foundation of this adventure tale is a clear foundation for the story, but does not distract from the characterization or plot. The writing is impeccable and there was not a single second I was able to willingly put the book down. Young teens, adventurers, and Twain fans will all enjoy accompanying Mary Jane as she meets many diverse people, learns what really matters to her, and grows from a frustrated girl into a strong young woman.
Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this wonderful story.
Thank you to Random House Children's, Delacorte Press, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this wonderful story.
March 17, 2025
Final thoughts? A Huck Finn inspired adventure with a fiery female protagonist. Where was this book when I was a young reader?? Hope Jahren knocks it out of the park!!
August 21, 2024
I've spent the last week trying to decide how I feel about this book and I'm still not totally sure. From the perspective of someone who is interested in books, it's very interesting. The author writes in the style of Mark Twain, which is compelling, but also slows down the narrative. I don't think the author does a bad job, but the stylizing feels a little artificial in a way I am struggling to get past.
There's also the issue of Huck Finn. The problem, for me at least, with knowing this was a retelling of the life of a minor character in Huck Finn is that I just kept waiting for him to show up. And he doesn't get there until 80% through the book. Which meant that I spent most of the book waiting -- and was still sort of disappointed when he did come.
But again, the book was really interesting. I'm just not sure that translated into actual enjoyment. And I really doubt I'd find a teen reader to recommend this to, outside of a classroom setting. And, really, what classroom has time to read Huck Finn and then also another book?
The author's note at the end, where she explains all of the added historical context, is probably my favorite part.
There's also the issue of Huck Finn. The problem, for me at least, with knowing this was a retelling of the life of a minor character in Huck Finn is that I just kept waiting for him to show up. And he doesn't get there until 80% through the book. Which meant that I spent most of the book waiting -- and was still sort of disappointed when he did come.
But again, the book was really interesting. I'm just not sure that translated into actual enjoyment. And I really doubt I'd find a teen reader to recommend this to, outside of a classroom setting. And, really, what classroom has time to read Huck Finn and then also another book?
The author's note at the end, where she explains all of the added historical context, is probably my favorite part.
August 27, 2024
Mary Jane Guild goes on an unpredictable, emotional journey down the Mississippi River where she puts her skills at mathematics and knowledge of diseases to work in pre-Civil War times. When her aunt writes to her mother indicating things aren’t well at home, Mary Jane is sent to be the help her aunt’s family. On the way, she encounters unfriendly and friendly characters who teach her about what life is life for a variety of people in the time.
I haven’t read The Adventures in Huckleberry Finn in many years, so I went into this with no expectations other than vague associations that had more to do with Tom Sawyer than anything to do with Mary Jane. After I finished Adventures of Mary Jane, I looked up some summaries just to catch up what I may have missed from the reading. Although my Mark Twain advanced knowledge was a sparse, Mary Jane’s story could stand on its own and still interprets a few of the events in Huck Finn’s story in interesting ways.
In a lot of ways, this book could function as an introductory guide to the kind of people you might find along the Mississippi River. About halfway through, I joked that I would eat my Kindle if Mary Jane *didn’t* encounter a Jewish person by the end of the book (she did) because it seemed like we were going through a checklist of people Mark Twain himself didn’t have high opinions of.
The characters she encounters are a mix of people — genuinely good, truly bad, Christian, slaves, native, abolitionists, ship captains, Mormons, Jews, criminals, lawmakers, swindlers… I can’t remember them all. They all paint a colorful tapestry of people and ideas. The author describes these with varying characteristics of good and bad. As a Mormon myself, I got immediately worried when a pastor and his wife started describing Mormon people. Knowing Mark Twain’s opinion of Mormons, I was a little worried about what the book would contain. In fact, I was surprisingly pleased to see her historically accurate and kind portrayal of a religious people who were misunderstood then (and now). From what I can tell, Jahren’s handling of all the people of the time was well-researched, often taken from diaries or otherwise based on real people, and fair, although part of me did feel like the author was, in a way, trying to apologize for Twain’s negative opinions of many of these people Mary Jane encounters.
My biggest problem with the book is I’m not entirely sure who it is for. Mary Jane comes across as somewhat naive at times and overly optimistic, like something of an Anne of Green Gables meets Pollyanna traveling along the Mississippi. No matter who she encounters or what she faces, she’s always looking for the good in people and handling things far better than many adults would. Her relentless charm makes it seem like the book is for younger readers, but at the same time, some dark events would make me hesitant to recommend this book with no reservations to a general audience. Some of the events were jarring in the face of the character’s attitude. The way some characters described slaves made me feel physically ill, and a sexual assault was described in some detail about what had occurred. The book seems too young for a lot of young adult readers, but too old for middle grade because of that content.
There’s a decent amount of wanting to be the hero of the day (or, in one case, white saviorism) that could feel a little glaring. I imagine it’s hard to write a book that deals with topics like slavery and address modern sensibilities, and Mary Jane came across as a little too young and naive in her approach to it. Between that and the different types of characters showcased, the book occasionally has a preachy aspect to it that some readers may not enjoy.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this adventure. None of the characters are perfect, and the plot is just like an adventure with twists and turns and a new person to meet around every corner. In spite of the variety of characters and topics, I felt swept up in the story with every page. The story is full of happiness and sadness, adventures and courage, and so much more. While the “preachiness” and somewhat aggressive good attitude of the main character may be difficult for some readers to get past, I found the book to be a well-researched adventure worth reading.
I haven’t read The Adventures in Huckleberry Finn in many years, so I went into this with no expectations other than vague associations that had more to do with Tom Sawyer than anything to do with Mary Jane. After I finished Adventures of Mary Jane, I looked up some summaries just to catch up what I may have missed from the reading. Although my Mark Twain advanced knowledge was a sparse, Mary Jane’s story could stand on its own and still interprets a few of the events in Huck Finn’s story in interesting ways.
In a lot of ways, this book could function as an introductory guide to the kind of people you might find along the Mississippi River. About halfway through, I joked that I would eat my Kindle if Mary Jane *didn’t* encounter a Jewish person by the end of the book (she did) because it seemed like we were going through a checklist of people Mark Twain himself didn’t have high opinions of.
The characters she encounters are a mix of people — genuinely good, truly bad, Christian, slaves, native, abolitionists, ship captains, Mormons, Jews, criminals, lawmakers, swindlers… I can’t remember them all. They all paint a colorful tapestry of people and ideas. The author describes these with varying characteristics of good and bad. As a Mormon myself, I got immediately worried when a pastor and his wife started describing Mormon people. Knowing Mark Twain’s opinion of Mormons, I was a little worried about what the book would contain. In fact, I was surprisingly pleased to see her historically accurate and kind portrayal of a religious people who were misunderstood then (and now). From what I can tell, Jahren’s handling of all the people of the time was well-researched, often taken from diaries or otherwise based on real people, and fair, although part of me did feel like the author was, in a way, trying to apologize for Twain’s negative opinions of many of these people Mary Jane encounters.
My biggest problem with the book is I’m not entirely sure who it is for. Mary Jane comes across as somewhat naive at times and overly optimistic, like something of an Anne of Green Gables meets Pollyanna traveling along the Mississippi. No matter who she encounters or what she faces, she’s always looking for the good in people and handling things far better than many adults would. Her relentless charm makes it seem like the book is for younger readers, but at the same time, some dark events would make me hesitant to recommend this book with no reservations to a general audience. Some of the events were jarring in the face of the character’s attitude. The way some characters described slaves made me feel physically ill, and a sexual assault was described in some detail about what had occurred. The book seems too young for a lot of young adult readers, but too old for middle grade because of that content.
There’s a decent amount of wanting to be the hero of the day (or, in one case, white saviorism) that could feel a little glaring. I imagine it’s hard to write a book that deals with topics like slavery and address modern sensibilities, and Mary Jane came across as a little too young and naive in her approach to it. Between that and the different types of characters showcased, the book occasionally has a preachy aspect to it that some readers may not enjoy.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this adventure. None of the characters are perfect, and the plot is just like an adventure with twists and turns and a new person to meet around every corner. In spite of the variety of characters and topics, I felt swept up in the story with every page. The story is full of happiness and sadness, adventures and courage, and so much more. While the “preachiness” and somewhat aggressive good attitude of the main character may be difficult for some readers to get past, I found the book to be a well-researched adventure worth reading.
January 16, 2024
Mary Jane Guild may not have captured all readers' attention in The Adventures of Huck Finn, but reimagined through Hope Jahren's eyes, she becomes a realistic protagonist who wrestles with fear, insecurity, and self-doubt and comes out stronger and more confident. Jahren's retelling includes the flavor and voice of Twain with the modern perspective today's readers expect. While the story is rich in detail, the pacing drags at times, making it feel longer than it is, but the story's plot and characterization make it a strong addition to a MG or YA reading shelf.
Mary Jane has lived a sheltered life moving between the trading post and Fort Snelling with her mother and her morfar, a grandfather whose life as a trapper, trader, and voyageur landed her family in the northern stretches of the Mississippi River. When her aunt writes of a vague trouble at Fort Edwards, far south on the Mississippi where she is stationed with her husband and daughters, Mary Jane's mother decrees that she will travel alone to help her aunt. When she arrives, after facing theft, scammings, and incredible kindness, she finds her uncle with a serious brain injury, her aunt and cousins trying to make do with very little, and herself the only problem-solver in sight. When her aunt and uncle both pass away, the local authorities say the cousins must go to their father's brother even further south, and Mary Jane claims to be an older sister to be allowed to stay with them. In Greenville, they find their uncle a cruel and despicable slave owner who lavishes them with gifts but mistreats them through threats and inappropriate advances. When he dies, Mary Jane sees her chance to free herself and the girls from anyone's control, if she can plan their escape well and shut down the thumping of her heart whenever she sees a blue-eyes-pony-tail boy.
Mary Jane is a believable and likable character who shows a true blend of human characteristics that YA readers will recognize. She wants freedom and responsibility but craves the nostalgic safety of knowing Ma or Morfar will help. She is proud of herself but critical of every stumble she makes. As she perseveres, she finds she is stronger than she thought and wiser than she knew. The themes of adaptability, resilience, and finding your own path are clear and well developed. While it would be mainly appropriate for MG readers, the scenes with Uncle Peter Wilks would need preparation and support for younger readers, and some families may prefer not to address those topics with their children. For YA readers, I would prepare students for the topics of enslavement and treatment of enslaved persons before reaching the scenes that feature Sugar, Candy, or the movement of the enslaved people Mary Jane sees from the Galenian. I would also work with readers to identify the signs and signals of Peter Wilks' choices before the scenes when readers see his vile actions with Susan. This novel would make an excellent companion read alongside The Adventures of Huck Finn, showing events from different timelines and perspectives.
Mary Jane has lived a sheltered life moving between the trading post and Fort Snelling with her mother and her morfar, a grandfather whose life as a trapper, trader, and voyageur landed her family in the northern stretches of the Mississippi River. When her aunt writes of a vague trouble at Fort Edwards, far south on the Mississippi where she is stationed with her husband and daughters, Mary Jane's mother decrees that she will travel alone to help her aunt. When she arrives, after facing theft, scammings, and incredible kindness, she finds her uncle with a serious brain injury, her aunt and cousins trying to make do with very little, and herself the only problem-solver in sight. When her aunt and uncle both pass away, the local authorities say the cousins must go to their father's brother even further south, and Mary Jane claims to be an older sister to be allowed to stay with them. In Greenville, they find their uncle a cruel and despicable slave owner who lavishes them with gifts but mistreats them through threats and inappropriate advances. When he dies, Mary Jane sees her chance to free herself and the girls from anyone's control, if she can plan their escape well and shut down the thumping of her heart whenever she sees a blue-eyes-pony-tail boy.
Mary Jane is a believable and likable character who shows a true blend of human characteristics that YA readers will recognize. She wants freedom and responsibility but craves the nostalgic safety of knowing Ma or Morfar will help. She is proud of herself but critical of every stumble she makes. As she perseveres, she finds she is stronger than she thought and wiser than she knew. The themes of adaptability, resilience, and finding your own path are clear and well developed. While it would be mainly appropriate for MG readers, the scenes with Uncle Peter Wilks would need preparation and support for younger readers, and some families may prefer not to address those topics with their children. For YA readers, I would prepare students for the topics of enslavement and treatment of enslaved persons before reaching the scenes that feature Sugar, Candy, or the movement of the enslaved people Mary Jane sees from the Galenian. I would also work with readers to identify the signs and signals of Peter Wilks' choices before the scenes when readers see his vile actions with Susan. This novel would make an excellent companion read alongside The Adventures of Huck Finn, showing events from different timelines and perspectives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
This is a wonderful book inspired by Mark Twain's depiction of Mary Jane in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Huck thinks she's good and beautiful and says he can't stop thinking about her. Well, in Jahren's story, Mary Jane is this and so much more. It begins with Mary Jane living with her mother and grandfather on a trading post on the Minnesota frontier. It's not an easy life but fourteen year old Mary Jane has proven that she is smart and hardworking. When her aunt who lives in Illinois asks for help, Mary Jane's adventures begins as she travels hundreds of miles down the Mississippi river. This is a truly compelling adventure story. Mary Jane is tested over and over again and she proves herself brave and resourceful and altogether good. There's plenty of humor, some really sad moments, some tense, some nail biters, and of course, an unspoken romance when Mary Jane and Huck Finn meet. If you've enjoyed The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, you'll want to read this book. If you haven't read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, you'll want to read this book.
"Come to think of it, maybe I didn't know how strong I was, either. Maybe nobody knows how strong they are, until they have to find out. And maybe not having to find out is the best luck you can wish for in this lifetime."
"Mary Jane, can I ask you to go into town and take a basket from a Mr. Samuel Clemens? You can't miss him. He's got a mop of white hair and three bushy mustaches: one over his mouth and the other two above his eyes. An old friend of mine, he is, and a more generous soul there's not to be found . . ."
"He is the most beautiful young man in the world. He is wild and reckless and honest and kind and made of something tougher than nails and more flexible than rubber. He had hold of my heart from the first minute that I saw him."
". . . he's not a rescuing-you type of boy, he's more of a partners-in-crime kind of boy."
"I'm going to light out for the Territory because they'll civilize me otherwise, and I can't stand it."
"I looked backwards and forwards on my life and saw how far I'd come, and how far I still wanted to go. I'd looked outside myself and found adventure. I'd looked inside myself and found courage."
"Come to think of it, maybe I didn't know how strong I was, either. Maybe nobody knows how strong they are, until they have to find out. And maybe not having to find out is the best luck you can wish for in this lifetime."
"Mary Jane, can I ask you to go into town and take a basket from a Mr. Samuel Clemens? You can't miss him. He's got a mop of white hair and three bushy mustaches: one over his mouth and the other two above his eyes. An old friend of mine, he is, and a more generous soul there's not to be found . . ."
"He is the most beautiful young man in the world. He is wild and reckless and honest and kind and made of something tougher than nails and more flexible than rubber. He had hold of my heart from the first minute that I saw him."
". . . he's not a rescuing-you type of boy, he's more of a partners-in-crime kind of boy."
"I'm going to light out for the Territory because they'll civilize me otherwise, and I can't stand it."
"I looked backwards and forwards on my life and saw how far I'd come, and how far I still wanted to go. I'd looked outside myself and found adventure. I'd looked inside myself and found courage."
June 30, 2024
📚Adventures of Mary Jane
🖊️Author: Hope Jahren
🗂️Genre: Young Adult Historical Fantasy
📆Publication date: June 25
📝Pages: 362
ARC REVIEW
5/⭐️
📌Summary:
Ιn this brand new reimagining, Mary Jane—the red-headed spark from Mark Twains, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, who stole Huck’s heart in just 30 pages—comes to life with her own story of adventuring down the Mississippi River in the 1840’s.
Meet Mary Jane Guild — she’s on a dangerous and unpredictable adventure down the Mississippi River — and she’ll steal Huck Finn’s heart along the way.
In these chapters you’ll come to know the real Mary a girl on her own dangerous and unpredictable journey down the Mississippi River in pre–Civil War America. Equipped with an uncanny ability for mathematics, a talent for sewing, and a bale of beaver skins, Mary Jane navigates deadly illnesses, angry mobs, treacherous landowners, outright thieves and swindlers, and more than a thousand miles of muddy water. What’s more, she thrives in the face of these challenges, thanks to support from a caring boat captain, generous neighbors, a cheery peddler, a chosen family, a loyal and loving dog, and two hardworking horses. Traveling solo requires Mary Jane to grow up fast, but it ultimately leads her to a new resilience, a love of adventure, deep and enduring sisterhood, and a blue-eyed, pony-tailed boy she can’t stop thinking about.
📌Review:
This was such a fresh look at a character we all love. Mary Jane is a powerful realistic woman. Her journey is a mirror of what a journey every woman goes through.
The writing was very good, i loved the dialogues and the plot was engaging.
📌Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Foul-Days-Witc...
📌Author’s links:
https://hopejahrensurecanwrite.com/
https://www.instagram.com/realhopejah...
https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2024/05...
#AdventuresOfMaryJane #TBRBeyondTours #HopeJahren
🖊️Author: Hope Jahren
🗂️Genre: Young Adult Historical Fantasy
📆Publication date: June 25
📝Pages: 362
ARC REVIEW
5/⭐️
📌Summary:
Ιn this brand new reimagining, Mary Jane—the red-headed spark from Mark Twains, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, who stole Huck’s heart in just 30 pages—comes to life with her own story of adventuring down the Mississippi River in the 1840’s.
Meet Mary Jane Guild — she’s on a dangerous and unpredictable adventure down the Mississippi River — and she’ll steal Huck Finn’s heart along the way.
In these chapters you’ll come to know the real Mary a girl on her own dangerous and unpredictable journey down the Mississippi River in pre–Civil War America. Equipped with an uncanny ability for mathematics, a talent for sewing, and a bale of beaver skins, Mary Jane navigates deadly illnesses, angry mobs, treacherous landowners, outright thieves and swindlers, and more than a thousand miles of muddy water. What’s more, she thrives in the face of these challenges, thanks to support from a caring boat captain, generous neighbors, a cheery peddler, a chosen family, a loyal and loving dog, and two hardworking horses. Traveling solo requires Mary Jane to grow up fast, but it ultimately leads her to a new resilience, a love of adventure, deep and enduring sisterhood, and a blue-eyed, pony-tailed boy she can’t stop thinking about.
📌Review:
This was such a fresh look at a character we all love. Mary Jane is a powerful realistic woman. Her journey is a mirror of what a journey every woman goes through.
The writing was very good, i loved the dialogues and the plot was engaging.
📌Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Foul-Days-Witc...
📌Author’s links:
https://hopejahrensurecanwrite.com/
https://www.instagram.com/realhopejah...
https://tbrandbeyondtours.com/2024/05...
#AdventuresOfMaryJane #TBRBeyondTours #HopeJahren
June 17, 2024
“You may say what you want to, but in my opinion, she had more sand in her than any girl I ever see; in my opinion she was just full of sand. . . . And when it comes to beauty—and goodness too—she lays over them all.”
So says Huck Finn after meeting Mary Jane, the eldest of the three nieces of Peter Wilks, whom he saves from the Duke and the Dauphin by revealing where he hid their uncle’s gold. Mary Jane may play a small role in Huck’s story (though she certainly left a lasting impression), but a girl with that much sand in her has her own stories to tell.
Mary Jane lives in the North with her mother and grandfather, but at fourteen, she’s starting to feel caught between following wherever they go and having her own adventures. Named after two headless queens, Mary Jane adores her copy of A Child’s History of England, has an impressive knack for mental calculations, and is full of bravery and kindness.
When her Aunt Evelyn writes a letter requesting her mother’s help for a few weeks, Ma sends Mary Jane in her place, starting off a chain of adventures that involve a found family aboard a steamboat, illnesses to heal, slave owners to argue with, dangerous relatives to avoid, a white-mustached Samuel Clemens (iykyk), and eventually a run-in with a handsome boy with blue eyes and a blond ponytail.
We loved Mary Jane’s spunk as well as the look at mid-1800s America from a young woman’s perspective, and Jahren’s novel is full of clever allusions to Twain’s original. She captures its spirit while telling her own fresh tale, and while the story starts a little slowly, we were drawn in further and further with each page.
For the most part, the novel is appropriate for a wide range of students; however, there is one brief scene of sexual abuse to be aware of when making recommendations to your students.
Thank you NetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Delacorte Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are our own.
So says Huck Finn after meeting Mary Jane, the eldest of the three nieces of Peter Wilks, whom he saves from the Duke and the Dauphin by revealing where he hid their uncle’s gold. Mary Jane may play a small role in Huck’s story (though she certainly left a lasting impression), but a girl with that much sand in her has her own stories to tell.
Mary Jane lives in the North with her mother and grandfather, but at fourteen, she’s starting to feel caught between following wherever they go and having her own adventures. Named after two headless queens, Mary Jane adores her copy of A Child’s History of England, has an impressive knack for mental calculations, and is full of bravery and kindness.
When her Aunt Evelyn writes a letter requesting her mother’s help for a few weeks, Ma sends Mary Jane in her place, starting off a chain of adventures that involve a found family aboard a steamboat, illnesses to heal, slave owners to argue with, dangerous relatives to avoid, a white-mustached Samuel Clemens (iykyk), and eventually a run-in with a handsome boy with blue eyes and a blond ponytail.
We loved Mary Jane’s spunk as well as the look at mid-1800s America from a young woman’s perspective, and Jahren’s novel is full of clever allusions to Twain’s original. She captures its spirit while telling her own fresh tale, and while the story starts a little slowly, we were drawn in further and further with each page.
For the most part, the novel is appropriate for a wide range of students; however, there is one brief scene of sexual abuse to be aware of when making recommendations to your students.
Thank you NetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Delacorte Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are our own.
July 22, 2024
Hope Jahren’s "Adventures of Mary Jane" is a delightful reimagining of Mark Twain’s classic world from "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," centered around the previously overlooked character of Mary Jane. Jahren’s narrative skillfully transports readers into the life of Mary Jane, offering a fresh perspective that stands beautifully on its own.
Despite not recently revisiting "Huckleberry Finn," I found "Adventures of Mary Jane" to be thoroughly engrossing from the outset. Mary Jane emerges as a smart and courageous protagonist navigating challenging circumstances, evolving from a naive young girl in a northern trading post to a self-assured young woman shaping her own destiny along the Mississippi River. This is not just a tale of adventure, but also a poignant coming-of-age story filled with themes of kindness, family, and resilience.
Jahren’s attention to historical detail is commendable, painting a vivid picture of life in the pre-Civil War era with meticulous accuracy. From the intricacies of northern trading posts to the rhythms of Mississippi river life, the setting feels authentic and immersive. The inclusion of memorable characters, both human and animal, further enriches the narrative, showcasing Jahren’s ability to breathe life into every aspect of Mary Jane’s journey.
As an animal lover, I particularly appreciated the role of characters like Robert Fulton, Samson, Delilah, and Cherry the dog, whose instincts often prove wiser than their human counterparts. These elements add depth and charm to the story, making it a joy to read.
"Adventures of Mary Jane" is not just for fans of historical fiction; it’s a tale that will resonate with readers of all ages who appreciate a well-crafted story filled with heart, courage, and the enduring spirit of adventure. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to rediscover the magic of Mark Twain’s world through a fresh and captivating lens.
A special thank you to #netgalley for the eARC of this book!
Despite not recently revisiting "Huckleberry Finn," I found "Adventures of Mary Jane" to be thoroughly engrossing from the outset. Mary Jane emerges as a smart and courageous protagonist navigating challenging circumstances, evolving from a naive young girl in a northern trading post to a self-assured young woman shaping her own destiny along the Mississippi River. This is not just a tale of adventure, but also a poignant coming-of-age story filled with themes of kindness, family, and resilience.
Jahren’s attention to historical detail is commendable, painting a vivid picture of life in the pre-Civil War era with meticulous accuracy. From the intricacies of northern trading posts to the rhythms of Mississippi river life, the setting feels authentic and immersive. The inclusion of memorable characters, both human and animal, further enriches the narrative, showcasing Jahren’s ability to breathe life into every aspect of Mary Jane’s journey.
As an animal lover, I particularly appreciated the role of characters like Robert Fulton, Samson, Delilah, and Cherry the dog, whose instincts often prove wiser than their human counterparts. These elements add depth and charm to the story, making it a joy to read.
"Adventures of Mary Jane" is not just for fans of historical fiction; it’s a tale that will resonate with readers of all ages who appreciate a well-crafted story filled with heart, courage, and the enduring spirit of adventure. I highly recommend it for anyone looking to rediscover the magic of Mark Twain’s world through a fresh and captivating lens.
A special thank you to #netgalley for the eARC of this book!
May 20, 2024
Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren is a delightful and thought-provoking novel that offers a fresh perspective on a classic character. Jahren's writing is engaging and insightful, and she brings Mary Jane to life in a way that is both believable and relatable. I found myself rooting for Mary Jane throughout the novel, and I was deeply moved by her story. I was particularly impressed by Jahren's ability to capture the complexities of Mary Jane's character. Mary Jane is a strong and independent woman, but she is also flawed and vulnerable. She makes mistakes, but she learns from them and grows as a person. I found Mary Jane to be a very real and relatable character, and I think many readers will see themselves in her. I also appreciated Jahren's exploration of the role of women in history. Mary Jane is a minor character in one of Mark Twain's novels, but Jahren gives her a voice and tells her story in a way that is both illuminating and empowering. This novel is a reminder that women have always played an important role in history, even if their stories have often been overlooked. Overall, I highly recommend Adventures of Mary Jane to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, or stories about strong women. It is a well-written and engaging novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
August 7, 2025
Historical fiction for ages 12-17, I really loved the first 3/4 of this book. I didn't want to put it down, and I really like the unique "voice", and Mary Jane. This book is full of harsh realities and well-researched history and daily life of the time. It was fascinating as well as enthralling. I was disappointed at the end, when the book coincided with events from 'Huckleberry Finn'. For no reason that I could figure, there were differences in the story. Huck tells Joanna his name is Joe, which isn't mentioned in the original--and why choose that name instead of an alias that he already uses with "The King"? They call Joanna "Joe" in the original. The enslaved family isn't a mother and daughter, but was a mother and two sons. Uncle William is supposed to be 30, but in 'Mary Jane', Harvey is 30 and William is only 17! Why isn't Williams arm broken, as it was in 'Huck'? It just makes everything confusing for anyone who has read 'HF' recently. My final disappointment, which was very great, is when Mary Jane runs into someone she knows, which is so unlikely, and serves no purpose to the story. Mary Jane's narrative includes lots of tenderness and personal growth. Most of the book was really great.
March 15, 2025
I really enjoyed this read, finished it in two days!
Four stars, rating for ages 15+
It follows Mary Jane, who was a minor character in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as she travels down the Mississippi River. Unlike Huckleberry, she doesn't spend all her time actually on the river, but is actually traveling from family member to family member as a nurse/extra hand.
I really enjoyed how Mary Jane's character developed and how she learned from the people around her. Some of the other characters in the story are really fun and original.
A fair caution though, there is one fairly vivid description of a character being sexually abused. It took me by surprise for sure. The overall content of the book is a little more mature than one might expect from just the cover or teaser on the back. I wouldn't suggest for anyone under high school age at least.
The wording of the novel is a little more modern than Twain's books, which makes it an easier read but less time period appropriate.
Overall I enjoyed this read though, and was a little sad to get to the last page. Where it ended made me wish for a sequel about Mary Jane's adventures in the territories. Maybe some day!
Four stars, rating for ages 15+
It follows Mary Jane, who was a minor character in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, as she travels down the Mississippi River. Unlike Huckleberry, she doesn't spend all her time actually on the river, but is actually traveling from family member to family member as a nurse/extra hand.
I really enjoyed how Mary Jane's character developed and how she learned from the people around her. Some of the other characters in the story are really fun and original.
A fair caution though, there is one fairly vivid description of a character being sexually abused. It took me by surprise for sure. The overall content of the book is a little more mature than one might expect from just the cover or teaser on the back. I wouldn't suggest for anyone under high school age at least.
The wording of the novel is a little more modern than Twain's books, which makes it an easier read but less time period appropriate.
Overall I enjoyed this read though, and was a little sad to get to the last page. Where it ended made me wish for a sequel about Mary Jane's adventures in the territories. Maybe some day!
March 5, 2024
What an enjoyable book! Woven into this coming-of-age tale are memorable characters and poignant moments amid exciting and suspenseful action. Its a quick read - I could not put the book down once I got to know Mary Jane. The writing is wonderful, with fun dialog, great descriptions of the times, and incredible scenes from the 1800s we can only dream about today.
Overall, it is a moving story that overlaps with some key moments of Mark Twain’s famous Huckleberry Finn. It turns out that Mary Jane, by the time she meets Huck Finn, has already had adventures of her own - adventures that have tested her and changed in formative ways. Her travels down the Mississippi River are very much born from the challenges that a young woman would have faced at the time.
In a sense, The Adventures of Mary Jane is the original female road story that was never written (until now!).
I loved the book, and I will read it again.
Overall, it is a moving story that overlaps with some key moments of Mark Twain’s famous Huckleberry Finn. It turns out that Mary Jane, by the time she meets Huck Finn, has already had adventures of her own - adventures that have tested her and changed in formative ways. Her travels down the Mississippi River are very much born from the challenges that a young woman would have faced at the time.
In a sense, The Adventures of Mary Jane is the original female road story that was never written (until now!).
I loved the book, and I will read it again.
June 29, 2024
3.5/5 stars.
Somewhat of an unpopular opinion, but unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped. I appreciated the research that went into this one, it did take me back to the 1840s. It was also a fun adventure story about a courageous young girl. (And as an aside, the cover was gorgeous!)
However, there seemed to be a lot of information dumping and random history lessons. It also read very young, so I think that younger teens getting into historical fiction would like this. There were page breaks that interrupted the story for me….almost as if this was made up with little vignettes while also being way too long. And it seems like you really do need a background in Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn to understand the character of Mary—although the author does include an interesting postscript.
So all in all, this was a good story but it wasn’t fully for me.
Somewhat of an unpopular opinion, but unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this as much as I’d hoped. I appreciated the research that went into this one, it did take me back to the 1840s. It was also a fun adventure story about a courageous young girl. (And as an aside, the cover was gorgeous!)
However, there seemed to be a lot of information dumping and random history lessons. It also read very young, so I think that younger teens getting into historical fiction would like this. There were page breaks that interrupted the story for me….almost as if this was made up with little vignettes while also being way too long. And it seems like you really do need a background in Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn to understand the character of Mary—although the author does include an interesting postscript.
So all in all, this was a good story but it wasn’t fully for me.
September 24, 2024
I loved this; stayed up way too late last night to finish. Jahren is an excellent writer and clearly did her research (as one would expect from a Lab Girl.) It's a great story of in intrepid girl growing up on the frontier of 1840s America. Mary Jane is smart, capable, usually kind, and YOUNG; i.e., she makes some pretty serious mistakes. She's also willing to learn from them.
To be honest, this character never really stood out for me in Huck Finn, which I'm trying to re-read, and finding hard going after Perceval Everett's James. Maybe becoming reacquainted with Mary Jane will help.
To be honest, this character never really stood out for me in Huck Finn, which I'm trying to re-read, and finding hard going after Perceval Everett's James. Maybe becoming reacquainted with Mary Jane will help.
January 13, 2026
Such a refreshing alternative to Huck Finn (and other re-writes). Not only is there a real focus on the girls/women characters, but there is a distinct lack of racism, focus on tolerance, and a wider diversity of story. A lot of interesting details, and clear historical accuracy. I felt like I learned something nearly every chapter. My two major criticisms are the totally unnecessary “love story” (why does she need to fall in love with a boy??) and the somewhat long ramble of the tale (which is in the spirit of Huck Finn, I know, but still hard to stick with). I liked it. I just couldn’t love it.
June 30, 2024
👦🏻Reviews: what a book! Mary is Huckleberry Finn’s female version—brave, adventurous and feisty. In this book, I traveled with Mary throughout different places and learned many fascinating things that are still relevant to today’s society. It is fun reading Mary’s point of view and I like that I see it from her perspective. I enjoyed many historical events in the book and I know this will be perfect for middle-graders who have read Huckleberry Finn before because this is another great story that is linked to it too. I am highly recommending this to you all.
July 5, 2024
I adored the first half. The plot rollicks along and an intriguing variety of folksy characters- both human and animal - are introduced. It is only when Mary Jane and her cousins reach the deep south that the tone grows darker and some characters verge into the burlesque. The author has kept the tone of Twain, and his nuanced morality with some characters utterly unprincipled, some startlingly naive and good and some fundamentally sound but indulging in the childish cruelties they can get away with.
August 11, 2024
There aren't many YA historical fiction books that are set in this era. so it's always nice to see something a little different. I'll admit, it's been a long time since I read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, so I honestly didn't remember who Mary Jane is. But I liked that Jahren gave her a whole backstory, eventually connecting this to that American classic.
You can tell that this book is thoroughly researched, with a lot of backmatter at the end explaining the real-life inspirations for the families in this book. It would work well as a companion piece to Huckleberry Finn and just talking about this era of the US, just before the Civil War.
The book itself felt a little long, but other than that, if you like historical fiction, this is definitely a book to pick up!
You can tell that this book is thoroughly researched, with a lot of backmatter at the end explaining the real-life inspirations for the families in this book. It would work well as a companion piece to Huckleberry Finn and just talking about this era of the US, just before the Civil War.
The book itself felt a little long, but other than that, if you like historical fiction, this is definitely a book to pick up!
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