Melody : the Story of a Child

Melody #1

by Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards

This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Christian

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1893

About the author

Laura Elizabeth Howe Richards (27 February, 1850 – 14 January, 1943) was an American writer. She often published as Laura E. Richards & wrote more than 90 books including biographies, poetry, and several for children.

Her father was Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, an abolitionist and the founder of the Perkins Institution and Massachusetts School for the Blind. She was named after his famous deaf-blind pupil Laura Bridgman. Her mother Julia Ward Howe wrote the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic".

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laura E. Richards, a late nineteenth and early twentieth-century author best known for her girls' series about "Queen Hildegarde" and the "Three Margarets," as well as her Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of her mother, Julia Ward Howe, who penned the words to The Battle Hymn of the Republic, relates the story of twelve-year-old Melody in this brief ninety-page children's novel, published in 1893. Orphaned as an infant, when her mother dies in the poor house, blind Melody is adopted by the Dale sisters - stern, but kind Aunt Vesta, and the gentle invalid Aunt Rejoice - and raised in a simple style in their small New England village. With a beautiful voice and a kind heart, she wins a special place in the life of the village, and is sorely missed when a traveling showman overhears her singing and, unable to convince Vesta Dale to part with her, kidnaps her from her home. Will Vesta and Mr. De Arthenay - a talented fiddler known as "Rosin the Beau" - be able to track her down...?

I enjoyed Melody: The Story of a Child, although I don't think it is the equal of some of the author's later work. There is far more self-conscious piety here than in books like Queen Hildegarde or Three Margarets , with Melody exhibiting a saintly temperament, and converting all around her, from quarreling villagers to her own kidnapper, to a more virtuous, godly frame of mind. On the other hand, it's quite interesting to see the sympathetic portrait of a young blind person that is painted here, given the fact that Richards' father was Samuel Gridley Howe, the reformer who, amongst other things, founded the Perkins School for the Blind. One certainly sees the influence of his work in this brief tale. I've become quite interested in Laura E. Richards' juvenile fiction, so although this isn't destined to become a favorite, I will be continuing with the series, and reading Marie next. Recommended to readers who enjoy 19th century children's fare, as well as to fellow admirers of the author.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites. Do not read the edited edition if you can help it; it was badly done, as the editor even changed the color of her hair in two places and the type of bread they had for supper one day. It's a good, Christian story, heartwarming, about how an orphaned blind girl wins the love of an entire town.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an old book. (1893) and so the language is much different than you would see in a children's book today. Naomi and I read it together so I could help her with the difficult words. There were a few that stumped me as well! Naomi found the book in an old used bookstore in Oregon.
Melody is an orphaned girl who lives with her aunts. She sings like an angel and blesses the entire village with her sweet manner and trust in God.

2019 - A book with 100 pages or less

[Kaitlyn S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC

[- ̗̀ saku ̖́- · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, not to say sappy novel. Melody is quite the Mary Sue character (her big quantitiy of positive attributes lessens the quality of the story). The story of the heartwarming orphan living with two maiden aunts is quite reminiscent of other books from that era. You could safely say that "Melody" is "Anne of Green Gables" or "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" without any of the spunk, conflict, or fun. I can see how a younger child might enjoy it, though.

[Gracie F · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a quick cute read, however nothing really happened that we orth reading about. It was a lot of purposeless conversation and one small plot point towards the end with a confusing résolution.

[JenniferFour · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle book but not very engaging. Melody is an orphan, blind, sings beautifully, and everyone loves her..

[Ruth Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this is a story for a little girl to enjoy, but the English is old school so a little girl wouldn’t enjoy it. So really, it’s light reading (albeit a bit boring) for an older girl/lady.

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have the Melody by Laura Richards 1893 hard cover fabric cover by Dana Estes & Company. i read somewhere that later editions did some edits or diff pictures or something.

I like the story. short, meant for kids? Follows a blind girl, Melody, about 12, who sings like an angel and is very kind. She lives with two old spinster sisters, she calls aunties, but they adopted her. The story follows the small town, Melody, and what happens when Melody is kidnapped for her voice (still not an adventure story). It takes places in a small non description new england american town. There is a bit of moralizing and what is good, in relation to God, but it is minimal, and maybe just how the time period waiting was done.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite interesting:)

[Kel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downloaded this for free.

[Amy Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story about a little blind girl who lives with two older ladies. It's an enjoyable book but nothing that everyone needs to make a point to read.

[Skye · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is a have to read!!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this a long time ago but remember liking it very much!