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Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest writers.
But before that, she was just an ordinary girl.
In fact, young Jane was a bit quiet and shy; if you had met her back then, you might not have noticed her at all. But she would have noticed you. Jane watched and listened to all the things people around her did and said and locked those observations away for safekeeping.
Jane also loved to read. She devoured everything in her father’s massive library, and before long she began creating her own stories. In her time, the most popular books were grand adventures and romances, but Jane wanted to go her own way . . . and went on to invent an entirely new kind of novel.
Deborah Hopkinson and Qin Leng have collaborated on a gorgeous tribute to an independent thinker who turned ordinary life into extraordinary stories and created a body of work that has delighted and inspired readers for generations.
But before that, she was just an ordinary girl.
In fact, young Jane was a bit quiet and shy; if you had met her back then, you might not have noticed her at all. But she would have noticed you. Jane watched and listened to all the things people around her did and said and locked those observations away for safekeeping.
Jane also loved to read. She devoured everything in her father’s massive library, and before long she began creating her own stories. In her time, the most popular books were grand adventures and romances, but Jane wanted to go her own way . . . and went on to invent an entirely new kind of novel.
Deborah Hopkinson and Qin Leng have collaborated on a gorgeous tribute to an independent thinker who turned ordinary life into extraordinary stories and created a body of work that has delighted and inspired readers for generations.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
873 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Hopkinson
97 books364 followersI write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)
NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.
I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.
NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.
I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 193 reviews
May 3, 2019
In Deborah Hopkinson's Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen, most of the facts and details surrounding Jane Austen's life appear to be for the most part factually correct and actually for a picture book biography surprisingly and appreciatively extensive and intensive (ranging from Jane Austen's birth to her death), presenting, providing an accessible (and definitely more than simply basic) introduction to both Jane Austen the person and Jane Austen the author, the writer (as well as giving both readers and potential listeners much insight into British late 18th to early 19th century culture and mores, and that while Jane Austen was obviously highly educated, she actually only had very limited schooling outside of home but that her father's extensive library made young Jane into an eager reader and also precipitated her desire to write, and later to have her writing, her work published, anonymously as was the tradition for female authors of the Georgian era, but officially published nonetheless).
Now as much as I have indeed enjoyed reading Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen and appreciate the detailed and informative scope and feel of Deborah Hopkinson's presented text, I do still (both personally and academically) have to question a bit the author's rather constant claims that Jane Austen generally seemed to have kept herself in the background, that she (according to both the narrative and the illustrations) was somehow much too shy to engage in public dancing and thus simply (and a bit like Mary Bennett of her Pride and Prejudice) just watched and observed but generally never danced herself. For indeed, from other biographical information on Jane Austen I have previously perused, while it certainly seems to be true that she was introverted and very much into observing and taking notes on her observations, Jane Austen also clearly loved to dance and was therefore not, as is in my opinion kind of being insinuated in Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen something of a shrinking so-called wall-flower.
But generally speaking and even with my mild criticism of Deborah Hopkinson's in my opinion turning Jane Austen into someone a bit too overly shy and retiring, I do highly recommend Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen as a very good and for a picture book quite delightfully complete and detailed, enlightening introduction to Jane Austen, to her life, to her career as an author and of course also to Georgian Britain itself (with a winningly successful combination of the author's text and the illustrator's accompanying images, although I do personally have to consider Qin Leng's pictures, while brightly descriptive and for the most part historically accurate enough as also just a trifle too cutesy, too girlishly pink-hued and overly sweet for my own aesthetic tastes). Three stars for general reading pleasure and how much I have enjoyed Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen on a personal level (for Quin Lneg's visuals are definitely rather too girly for me and I do tend to find the constant allusions to Jane Austen's supposed shyness a bit trying), but gladly rounded up to four stars, as I do for one not want to appear as too nitpicking and pedantic and that for two, I do very much enjoy that Deborah Hopkinson has included so much supplemental information at the back of Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen (and not only a time-line and bibliographical lists presenting suggestions for further study and research, but also a detailed and annotated list of Jane Austen's six main novels).
Now as much as I have indeed enjoyed reading Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen and appreciate the detailed and informative scope and feel of Deborah Hopkinson's presented text, I do still (both personally and academically) have to question a bit the author's rather constant claims that Jane Austen generally seemed to have kept herself in the background, that she (according to both the narrative and the illustrations) was somehow much too shy to engage in public dancing and thus simply (and a bit like Mary Bennett of her Pride and Prejudice) just watched and observed but generally never danced herself. For indeed, from other biographical information on Jane Austen I have previously perused, while it certainly seems to be true that she was introverted and very much into observing and taking notes on her observations, Jane Austen also clearly loved to dance and was therefore not, as is in my opinion kind of being insinuated in Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen something of a shrinking so-called wall-flower.
But generally speaking and even with my mild criticism of Deborah Hopkinson's in my opinion turning Jane Austen into someone a bit too overly shy and retiring, I do highly recommend Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen as a very good and for a picture book quite delightfully complete and detailed, enlightening introduction to Jane Austen, to her life, to her career as an author and of course also to Georgian Britain itself (with a winningly successful combination of the author's text and the illustrator's accompanying images, although I do personally have to consider Qin Leng's pictures, while brightly descriptive and for the most part historically accurate enough as also just a trifle too cutesy, too girlishly pink-hued and overly sweet for my own aesthetic tastes). Three stars for general reading pleasure and how much I have enjoyed Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen on a personal level (for Quin Lneg's visuals are definitely rather too girly for me and I do tend to find the constant allusions to Jane Austen's supposed shyness a bit trying), but gladly rounded up to four stars, as I do for one not want to appear as too nitpicking and pedantic and that for two, I do very much enjoy that Deborah Hopkinson has included so much supplemental information at the back of Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen (and not only a time-line and bibliographical lists presenting suggestions for further study and research, but also a detailed and annotated list of Jane Austen's six main novels).
February 7, 2025
I’ve read most of her works but actually don’t know much about Austen’s life. This was a delightful meander through her history. And the pastel watercolor illustrations made it positively enchanting.
A good read!
And to Hopkinson, thank you for not turning this into a preachy, feminist story. Thank you for just talking about Jane.
Ages: 4 - 10
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
A good read!
And to Hopkinson, thank you for not turning this into a preachy, feminist story. Thank you for just talking about Jane.
Ages: 4 - 10
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
January 21, 2018
My mom always amazed me with her love for Jane Austen and so, sooner or later, I fell in love with her books too.
When I walked through the book store today and found this beauty sitting on the lower shelf I knew immediately that it is love at first sight.
I am a sucker for kids books and oh, well, I have this quality from my mom as well. So, I am always on the hunt for beautiful illustrated kids books with stories you can learn from.
‚Ordinary Extraordinary Jane Austen’ fullfilled both points.
The illustrations are more then pretty. They are beautiful, very detailed, suitable for children, pleasing to look at and perfect for me. I could stare at them all day long.
What I love about kids books is the idea of getting to know the most important informations about something in just a few pages.
Of course, not all details will be given but you can be sure that the most importants are included and that is all that matters.
After finishing this book, you will know everything important about Jane Austen. By reading a kids book. Just want to remind you.
And if you would like to get more details, a timeline of her life and tiny summeries + quotes of every book she has written are attached to the end.
It’s perfect, booksters. At least for me.
So, I highly recommend buying ‚Ordinary Extraordinary Jane Austen’ for every Jane Austen lover and also for every other bookster because I promise there will be an empty spot in your life without this book.
Perfect start into my new reading year!
When I walked through the book store today and found this beauty sitting on the lower shelf I knew immediately that it is love at first sight.
I am a sucker for kids books and oh, well, I have this quality from my mom as well. So, I am always on the hunt for beautiful illustrated kids books with stories you can learn from.
‚Ordinary Extraordinary Jane Austen’ fullfilled both points.
The illustrations are more then pretty. They are beautiful, very detailed, suitable for children, pleasing to look at and perfect for me. I could stare at them all day long.
What I love about kids books is the idea of getting to know the most important informations about something in just a few pages.
Of course, not all details will be given but you can be sure that the most importants are included and that is all that matters.
After finishing this book, you will know everything important about Jane Austen. By reading a kids book. Just want to remind you.
And if you would like to get more details, a timeline of her life and tiny summeries + quotes of every book she has written are attached to the end.
It’s perfect, booksters. At least for me.
So, I highly recommend buying ‚Ordinary Extraordinary Jane Austen’ for every Jane Austen lover and also for every other bookster because I promise there will be an empty spot in your life without this book.
Perfect start into my new reading year!
March 29, 2018
Just bought this delightful book today after going to a meet and greet at a local children's bookstore. This would be a great introduction for young children to Jane Austen's life and her books.
May 14, 2018
This picture book biography shares some very basic facts about Jane Austen's life from birth to death. I could nitpick and argue that I don't think young Jane was shy-introverted maybe, observant, yes but not shy. I didn't like how the illustrations showed Jane as a wallflower while everyone was dancing. It was meant to show her observing the social habits of her peers but we know she loved to dance. I could also nitpick and say not all her brothers lived at home at once while Jane was growing up but I get the point-she had a big family. This is one of the only biographies I've seen that mentions the house full of boys- students of her father's. I especially liked that because it shows why Jane and Cassandra were so close. The rest of the facts are mostly correct. It talks about how Jane had access to her father's library and how she liked to read everything, especially novels; how her family put on amateur theatricals and everything that influenced Jane's writing. I think the overall facts are correct and the story is accessible for readers of the baby and early reader editions of Jane Austen's novels. It's not a stuffy, prosy, biography that Jane would have hated, but a light, fun one that I think she would approve of.
The illustrations are cute-almost too cute. I can nitpick and say the people aren't dressed correctly for the Georgian era early on in the book. I can nitpick and say Steventon Rectory looks like a pretty fancy house but I probably shouldn't nitpick that much. Young Jane is adorable! I just wanted to hug her. I like the soft, muted colors. They're bright enough to appeal to young girls (lots of pink) but not garish. The period details do seem to be largely correct though. My favorite illustration shows the family dancing together and Cassandra is dancing with little Charles! It's so charming and shows how close the Austens were.
This is a pretty good introduction to Jane Austen's life for very young readers. Read it to babies after reading them the BabyLit or Cozy Classics versions of the novels. They won't understand but maybe they'll absorb some of the information for later. They'll like the soothing sound of your voice reading the cute story anyway.
The illustrations are cute-almost too cute. I can nitpick and say the people aren't dressed correctly for the Georgian era early on in the book. I can nitpick and say Steventon Rectory looks like a pretty fancy house but I probably shouldn't nitpick that much. Young Jane is adorable! I just wanted to hug her. I like the soft, muted colors. They're bright enough to appeal to young girls (lots of pink) but not garish. The period details do seem to be largely correct though. My favorite illustration shows the family dancing together and Cassandra is dancing with little Charles! It's so charming and shows how close the Austens were.
This is a pretty good introduction to Jane Austen's life for very young readers. Read it to babies after reading them the BabyLit or Cozy Classics versions of the novels. They won't understand but maybe they'll absorb some of the information for later. They'll like the soothing sound of your voice reading the cute story anyway.
February 20, 2018
A book I wish I had written! From the well-loved books of Deborah Hopkinson, comes this novel telling of Jane Austen’s life and writings. It captures the flavor of Austen’s books beautifully and cleverly, beginning with the first sentence: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest writers.” Here, here! A delightful read.
May 26, 2019
The combination of spare, yet informative text with the watercolor artwork of Qin Leng makes for an exquisite presentation on a much beloved author. Reading about Jane and her classic novels made me smile and appreciate her contribution that much more. An excellent introduction to Austen for Kindergarten and up. A joy for all ages!
January 4, 2020
Well done!
October 29, 2020
Perfectly lovely little picture book about our favorite social wit. I loved Hopkinson's focus on Jane's wit and observation. I think this makes it more accessible to the picture book set who might not grasp the life of writing/publishing. As far as picture book biographies go, this one is more than satisfactory.
Qin Leng's illustrations were utterly charming. There was a flyaway, active feel to the drawings, giving Austen less of a prim-and-proper feel and more of a realistic one; more grown-up Catherine Morland than Mary Bennett. Since we don't know what Austen really looked like, I appreciated Leng's lively interpretation of Austen.
I wasn't quite sure why the descriptions of each of Austen's novels were included at the end of the book. Adults will likely pick this up because of a preexisting interest in Austen, and her novels are some of the most famous in English, not needing much introduction. Young readers, supposedly the target audience, are not quite up to the level of Emma. But the descriptions are simple, and they're vehicles for more illustrations, so no complaints here.
As far as historical accuracy goes, the dancing left a little to be desired. Couples were paired off, whirling around the room, not the stately walkabouts favored in all the adaptations. As far as I can tell, dancing in the Georgian era was something of a mix of both--what's important to remember in regard to Austen is that some dances could take up to an hour, making the choice of one's partner even more significant. Most adaptations favor revival English Country dancing, skipping the reels and the waltz that shocked even Lord Byron. I'd have appreciated representations of both types of dancing rather than just one. The gowns rely solely on the empire waistline and length to indicate the period, and many look like copies of each other with different colors. (Is it really that hard to look up fashion plates from the era?!) But, I doubt young readers will care, and this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Recommended for Austen-loving grown-ups; anyone who wants to share the story of a quiet, creative woman with children; those who are seeking stories about a vibrant interior life and a quiet outer life.
Qin Leng's illustrations were utterly charming. There was a flyaway, active feel to the drawings, giving Austen less of a prim-and-proper feel and more of a realistic one; more grown-up Catherine Morland than Mary Bennett. Since we don't know what Austen really looked like, I appreciated Leng's lively interpretation of Austen.
I wasn't quite sure why the descriptions of each of Austen's novels were included at the end of the book. Adults will likely pick this up because of a preexisting interest in Austen, and her novels are some of the most famous in English, not needing much introduction. Young readers, supposedly the target audience, are not quite up to the level of Emma. But the descriptions are simple, and they're vehicles for more illustrations, so no complaints here.
As far as historical accuracy goes, the dancing left a little to be desired. Couples were paired off, whirling around the room, not the stately walkabouts favored in all the adaptations. As far as I can tell, dancing in the Georgian era was something of a mix of both--what's important to remember in regard to Austen is that some dances could take up to an hour, making the choice of one's partner even more significant. Most adaptations favor revival English Country dancing, skipping the reels and the waltz that shocked even Lord Byron. I'd have appreciated representations of both types of dancing rather than just one. The gowns rely solely on the empire waistline and length to indicate the period, and many look like copies of each other with different colors. (Is it really that hard to look up fashion plates from the era?!) But, I doubt young readers will care, and this did not detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
Recommended for Austen-loving grown-ups; anyone who wants to share the story of a quiet, creative woman with children; those who are seeking stories about a vibrant interior life and a quiet outer life.
April 24, 2018
This lovely picture book biography tells the story of one of the most famous writers of the nineteenth century. Jane Austen’s books have long been among my favorites, mainly because her writing style was so authentic and approachable. This book also is terrific for elementary aged children because it focuses on aspects of her life that nearly everyone can relate to: the fun times she had with her family playing games, the pleasure of dancing, and listening to a parent read aloud. Another important point made in the book is the passion young Jane Austen had for listening, reading, and writing. The details about how her writing life began make this book a nice mentor text for young writers. The nice artwork, ink and watercolor illustrations, along with the engaging text and resource information at the back of the book, make this a super nonfiction resource to have in an elementary classroom library.
January 3, 2019
Let’s be honest - this is for adult Jane Austen fans, who may force their little ones to sit down and listen to it (I admit nothing). The adults will find this charming and delightful. The children, well, maybe not as much. I admit to liking the illustrations more than the text, but dear reader, I was charmed and delighted.
August 2, 2018
As an adult reader, I would’ve liked more info on how Jane’s novels came to be published, but this book is intended for children, so I understand why that was left out.
The simple description of Jane’s ordinary life and extraordinary talent brought tears to my eyes. Thank God for Jane Austen!
The simple description of Jane’s ordinary life and extraordinary talent brought tears to my eyes. Thank God for Jane Austen!
February 2, 2018
A super cute, well done junior fiction biography of Jane Austen with beautiful illustrations
March 13, 2018
Vivid illustrations and delightful text makes this biography on Jane Austen quite charming.
February 7, 2020
My five-year-old son actually liked this because it was "real." I know we don't have much longer before he won't want to go along with my choices any longer, so I'm enjoying every minute.
May 15, 2018
This is also up on my blog.
Title: Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen – The Story of six Novels, three Notebooks, a Writing Box and one clever Girl
Author: Deborah Hopkins
Illustrator: Qin Keng
Info: 40 Pages – For Children age 4 and up – Balzer & Prey
Plot: Born, as it seems, an ordinary girl, Jane Austen grew to be one of the most beloved writers of all time. This book tells the story of little Jane growing up between books, beautifully illustrated and told for children and adults alike.
My Thoughts:
I saw this book in an Instagram story and fell in love right away. I just knew I would love this book, even if I hadn’t seen it fully yet.
First of all, this is illustrated more than beautiful, in calm and soft colors. The story is told simply, yet with everything you need to know. This book makes it easy for children to understand what Jane Austen’s life looked like – and maybe they can find themselves in it as well. Jane was curious and one day she started to write her ideas down. Every child is full of curiosity.
I love that this book not only talks about her life, but also what she means to the life of many people who read her words today. It makes visibly what an influence she’s having.
In the end the book also includes a timeline of her life and look onto all her novels, as well as a list of websites and books where you can learn more about her.
Overall this is a perfect book for every Jane Austen fan and those who still want to become it – no matter what age.
Note: I’ve not only read this book on my own, but also to my little sister. She doesn’t speak English yet, just knows a few words. I first read the page in English to her, then translated and she absolutely loved it! Which makes me more than happy, considering that Jane Austen is one of my writing role models. Sometimes she was even able to translate for herself. I’m so proud of her!
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars – ★★★★★
Title: Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen – The Story of six Novels, three Notebooks, a Writing Box and one clever Girl
Author: Deborah Hopkins
Illustrator: Qin Keng
Info: 40 Pages – For Children age 4 and up – Balzer & Prey
Plot: Born, as it seems, an ordinary girl, Jane Austen grew to be one of the most beloved writers of all time. This book tells the story of little Jane growing up between books, beautifully illustrated and told for children and adults alike.
My Thoughts:
I saw this book in an Instagram story and fell in love right away. I just knew I would love this book, even if I hadn’t seen it fully yet.
First of all, this is illustrated more than beautiful, in calm and soft colors. The story is told simply, yet with everything you need to know. This book makes it easy for children to understand what Jane Austen’s life looked like – and maybe they can find themselves in it as well. Jane was curious and one day she started to write her ideas down. Every child is full of curiosity.
I love that this book not only talks about her life, but also what she means to the life of many people who read her words today. It makes visibly what an influence she’s having.
In the end the book also includes a timeline of her life and look onto all her novels, as well as a list of websites and books where you can learn more about her.
Overall this is a perfect book for every Jane Austen fan and those who still want to become it – no matter what age.
Note: I’ve not only read this book on my own, but also to my little sister. She doesn’t speak English yet, just knows a few words. I first read the page in English to her, then translated and she absolutely loved it! Which makes me more than happy, considering that Jane Austen is one of my writing role models. Sometimes she was even able to translate for herself. I’m so proud of her!
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars – ★★★★★
July 21, 2021
This is a beautiful telling of the life of Jane Austen that focuses on her creative development, her keen sense of observation and the determination to pursue her dream at a time when the women's main profession was being a wife/mother. During such a period, Jane was an ordinary child who transformed ordinary events into extraordinary stories. She wrote about everyday people in a way that two centuries later, people are still reading her novels.
The watercolour illustrations are lively and expressive.
The watercolour illustrations are lively and expressive.
October 29, 2020
I want to frame some of the illustrations from this book.
Update: I did.
Update: I did.
August 10, 2018
Charming exploration of Jane Austen's life as a child to publication as an adult. Appropriately written for children and delightfully enhanced by Qin Leng's artistic impressions.
March 25, 2024
We didn't click.
And everything that I will remember about this picture book about Jane Austen is her fathers library and her writting stories.
And everything that I will remember about this picture book about Jane Austen is her fathers library and her writting stories.
December 28, 2018
First sentence: It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest writers. But it might surprise you to know that Jane lived a simple life. She wasn't rich or even very famous in her time.
Premise/plot: Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen is a picture book biography of Jane Austen. The narrative is perfectly suitable for sharing with young readers. Yet it may delight older readers--adult readers--even more. What age is the right age for a person to "meet" Jane Austen?
My thoughts: What a lovely book! I enjoyed this one so much. I love, love, love Jane Austen. Though truth be told, I love Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte more than any individual novel by Jane Austen. (With the exception of Persuasion. Persuasion and Jane Eyre are probably too much of a tie to decide which one is my absolute, most favorite book.) I didn't start reading or watching Austen until I was an adult. (Unless you count Clueless as an introduction to Emma. I think I might have even read Emma as a teen, but I can't remember for sure. I think it was my first Austen to buy--and I did buy it because of Clueless.)
I found the writing to be wonderful.
There were plenty of stories for her to read, too. Her father's great library boasted five hundred books (almost all of them by men). Since Jane had little outside schooling, the library was her classroom. And while Jane devoured everything, from history to poetry to biographies, she loved novels best of all.
The illustrations were PERFECT.
Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10
November 27, 2017
ORDINARY, EXTRAORDINARY JANE AUSTEN takes you into the life of Jane Austen who was an ordinary girl that did an extraordinary things. She wrote about the ordinary world, in an extraordinary way.
Deborah Hopkinson shows what it was like during Jane Austen's time. They didn't have electronics and entertained themselves. She introduces Jane as the shy girl that she was, but had a cleverness to her. She noticed the things people would do or say and noted them. Eventually she would use these notes to write classic and powerful novels.
This book was a great biography of Jane Austen and teaches that you should always follow your dreams. I really loved how there was a timeline in the back of the book and famous quotes from her novels. It also shows how Jane's fascination with books was encouraged by her father because he knew she had it in her.
Final Verdict: ORDINARY, EXTRAORDINARY JANE AUSTEN teaches that just because you're ordinary, doesn't mean you can't do extraordinary things. It's the perfect novel to teach what things were like before electronics and I would recommend it to any child who's willing to listen.
Deborah Hopkinson shows what it was like during Jane Austen's time. They didn't have electronics and entertained themselves. She introduces Jane as the shy girl that she was, but had a cleverness to her. She noticed the things people would do or say and noted them. Eventually she would use these notes to write classic and powerful novels.
This book was a great biography of Jane Austen and teaches that you should always follow your dreams. I really loved how there was a timeline in the back of the book and famous quotes from her novels. It also shows how Jane's fascination with books was encouraged by her father because he knew she had it in her.
Final Verdict: ORDINARY, EXTRAORDINARY JANE AUSTEN teaches that just because you're ordinary, doesn't mean you can't do extraordinary things. It's the perfect novel to teach what things were like before electronics and I would recommend it to any child who's willing to listen.
March 1, 2018
Jane Austen was part of large family lead by a school teacher. Although lacking formal education she had a love of reading from which she cultivated a wide understanding and knowledge of people and the world. Although shy, she enjoyed observing people and behavior from a very early age. When her many brothers began their own lives she wrote them letters to stay in touch. Her first novel was rejected, but she persisted, clearing a path for other women to follow.
The whole thing is just charming. The watercolor and pen illustrations are charming. The story and details are charming. Jane Austen is charming. Which is why we love her so much! If you are an Austen fan you will deeply enjoy this simple story about her and discovering a bit about her early life and path to fame. How brave she was to believe that a woman could write and be published. How she loved her family and how she loved books and knowledge. How she loved watching people and their foibles, strengths and follies. This is a great book for another budding generation of Austen-ites.
The whole thing is just charming. The watercolor and pen illustrations are charming. The story and details are charming. Jane Austen is charming. Which is why we love her so much! If you are an Austen fan you will deeply enjoy this simple story about her and discovering a bit about her early life and path to fame. How brave she was to believe that a woman could write and be published. How she loved her family and how she loved books and knowledge. How she loved watching people and their foibles, strengths and follies. This is a great book for another budding generation of Austen-ites.
January 13, 2019
“Jane wanted her books to hold up a mirror to the ordinary world so readers could recognize (and laugh at) themselves.”
The inspirational story of Jane Austen, who grew up surrounded by books (mostly by men) and a household full of siblings and their friends. Reading everything she could get her hands on, writing comments in the margin of books, she soon began writing plays and short stories. She lived a quiet life of cards, shopping and gossip, all the while observing the life around her. Until this ordinary girl did quite an extraordinary thing ... she wrote a novel, “inventing a new kind of story.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Includes a timeline of Jane’s life, a description of all her novels and a bibliography.
The inspirational story of Jane Austen, who grew up surrounded by books (mostly by men) and a household full of siblings and their friends. Reading everything she could get her hands on, writing comments in the margin of books, she soon began writing plays and short stories. She lived a quiet life of cards, shopping and gossip, all the while observing the life around her. Until this ordinary girl did quite an extraordinary thing ... she wrote a novel, “inventing a new kind of story.” And the rest, as they say, is history.
Includes a timeline of Jane’s life, a description of all her novels and a bibliography.
June 18, 2018
This is a sweet picture book biography of Jane Austen. It begins with her younger years, providing interesting details about her experiences, and goes all the way through her death. In the back there’s a two-paged spread timeline of her life and three more pages outlining her six beloved books. Also included is a page with a list of online sources and books that were used in the author’s research on Jane Austen. The artwork was created with ink and watercolor.
For more kidlit, MGlit, and YAlit book reviews, please visit my book review blog: The Miller Memo.
For more kidlit, MGlit, and YAlit book reviews, please visit my book review blog: The Miller Memo.
March 15, 2021
LOVED this look at Jane Austen’s legacy for a younger audience. Lots of emphasis on how she wasn’t rich or overly famous in her time, but how she wrote real and ordinary stories in an extraordinary way. How this made her famous in her time. As a lover of all things Jane Austen I gobbled this book up. I loved how it started with her as a child and followed up at the end with a timeline of her life/publications. The illustrations were beautiful.
December 26, 2017
A fellow bookseller (Camille!!!! xoxo) got me this picture book galley and it is the CUTEST thing ever. The illustrations by Qin Leng are absolutely perfect - there's one of little Jane carrying a huge stack of books and RIP me. Definitely a book to pick up for Austen fans of all ages.
February 14, 2018
Very well written, a sweet telling of young Jane Austen’s life and how she became an author for young readers. It was fun to share my love of Jane Austen with my daughter, and to have her enjoy it too.
March 17, 2018
A wonderful picture book biography about Jane Austen, with fantastic illustrations and excellent back matter featuring a timeline of Austen's life, and brief plot summaries and famous quotes from her books.
March 21, 2018
Beautiful tale, in words and watercolors. Dear reader, what more can be said?
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