Marjorie

by Sidney Baldwin

Marjorie Jefferson is used to a life of indulgence in Ohio, but when her parents must travel overseas for her father’s health, Marjorie is sent to stay with Lucy, her childhood nurse. Lucy lives on the beautiful island of Monhegan, where hard work and kindness are of great value. However, Marjorie doesn't see anything valuable in living on Monhegan Island, and Dan, Lucy's husband, doesn't appreciate Marjorie's poor attitude. The longer Marjorie stays on the island, though, the more she finds that there's something special about life on Monhegan that could forever change her—something more than just the fresh sea air.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Childrens

119 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Mildred Sidney Baldwin was born in 1885 in Peoria, Illinois, and died in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, in 1978. She attended Smith College and Columbia University. She was a newspaper reporter, drama critic, radio commentator, and writer.

Reviews

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

it bad

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marjorie of Monhegan is one of those books which you can't put down.It is so engaging that I didn't want to stop reading it.

Marjorie is a girl used to city life. At first, she is spoiled and has a rotten attitude; Marjorie thinks she is going to be bored but instead she has a good time. I didn't like the ending because they leave you hanging. In addition, I didn’t like the fact that everybody hated Aunt Melvina’s cottage and thought she was crazy. Overall, I thought it was a cute book for ten to 12 year olds.

[Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you traveled somewhere, were you ever not excited? That’s how the main character feels in Marjorie, by Sydney Baldwin. Marjorie goes to Monhagen Island to stay while her father is sick. She has to get used to life on the island. I liked how the author made the story come to life. Also, I enjoyed learning how the island life is so different to mine. There is noting that I disliked. Overall, if you are looking for a heart-warming story, I highly recommend this book.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a kid thanks to my grandmother. a really great book. it's a shame it's out of print now.

[Mel Murphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another school read-aloud.
Couldn’t wait to finish this. It was so beyond boring and hard to follow who was speaking etc.

Hated it from cover to cover 😂

[G I · Rating 1 out of 5]

it made me soopr bord

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I read this book for the Level 5 Language Arts from The Good and the Beautiful. We both found it to be an enjoyable read with quite a bit of character development, especially considering that it is quite a short book. Great examples of moral character as well as a peek into life in a different place and time. It made us want to visit Mohegan Island. Definitely worth reading!

[Cham · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

at first glance I didn't think I would like this book, but Sidney Baldwin proved me wrong. this book is about a spoiled city girl and her friend that lives on Mohegan island. Marjorie's father is ill at the start of the story and needs some time in a foreign hospital, but Marjory can't come, so she has to go to Mohegan island while her father heals. she stays at her old baby-sitter's house. Lucy is kind and has a stern husband that's a fisherman. Marjorie is always letting Lucy do all the work and dan dose NOT like this, so if Marjorie doesn't start helping out he will kick her out! Marjorie having no where else to go finally obliges. but then the bully comes. in the end she finds out why he's a bully.

[James Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

who would want to read a book about a spoiled city girl? I would! I had to read Marjorie by Sidney Baldwin for school. as Marjorie came to Monhegan Island as a spoiled city girl. The island and its people had a huge impact on her. I really didn't like how horrid she was at the beginning of the book. But what I loved about this book was how she changed. This book shows that, with the right friends, people can change for the better. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to see character development.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Monhagan Island has beautiful scenes of the oceans, a stunning lighthouse, and cozy, coastal homes. Marjorie, by Sidney Baldwin, is set on this island, when Marjorie's dad gets sick and makes her live here with her old nurse. I really like there is suspense in this book. One thing I don't like about it is it is very boring to read. I wouldn't recommend it, but I had to read it for school.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with my daughter for her schoolwork. I enjoyed the story and to hear about this beautiful island. I loved to see Marjorie's journey as she grew and changed through her experiences. Great book for elementary aged kids.

[Rachel Votra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. My 10 year old daughter enjoyed this book. :)

[Stephanie VanAlmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

10yr old’s review - it was very good! I liked that Marjorie turned nice and wasn’t bratty. I liked how she became friends with people. And I want to go to the island

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read with Halina for school. Such a sweet slice of life.

[Jason LaRue · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a predictable story that should of been at least 25 more pages to explain more instead of just throwing everything in the book. The last ten pages was a different story and ended of not so good. Only recommend to people who like predicting story’s.

[Melissa]

Lovely story. My daughter said the ending was predictable. She is 10.

[Unibopolis F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t really enjoy this book, but maybe someone else would like it.

[Kailyn Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book and can't believe the hard work put into making this book.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoy books of good character growth. Thank you, Good and Beautiful, for introducing us to some fun oldies.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marjorie is one of the independent novels for our 5th-grade Language Arts curriculum (from The Good and the Beautiful). Charleston really enjoyed this one and suggested I give it a read; I was happy to oblige! Below is the full review he wrote as a follow-up to his reading, followed by my own thoughts.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to say good-bye to you mother, knowing you won’t see her or your sick father for months, knowing you’re about to spend the rest of your summer with your old nurse whom you barley remember and her awful husband on a horribly simple island? If so, you were wondering what Marjorie Jefferson was experiencing in Marjorie by Sidney Baldwin.

Set in 1950 (A.D.), the book follows the 11-year-old-girl (Marjorie, not Sidney Baldwin, who by the way is not 11) as she turns from spoiled city girl to kindhearted islander.

I enjoyed Marjorie and think it has many good examples of compassion, such as when Marjorie sees Jock’s worn feet and kindly knits him a pair of socks. I also liked the entertaining format, with chapter-long short stories that eventually wrapped up into one big story.

I suggest the book to all who like short, uplifting, and above all moralizing tales.

Kendra Note: Honestly, this wasn’t my favorite. The familiar premise of “spoiled city girl softened by kind island folk” is endearing, but the writing here is mediocre at best, with sloppy prose, pedantic moralizing, and a story that is far too tidy. Like Charleston, I enjoyed the sweet lessons but felt their packaging could have been more polished. That said, it’s tough to truly dislike a values-forward book (and an assigned one at that!) that my kid loved, so good job to The Good and the Beautiful for continuing to expose our family to content that is educational, entertaining, and in line with our family values.

My Rating: 3 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Print

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detail of daily life on a small island off the coast of Maine. written in 1943. change in Marjorie from sickly city girl to robust island loving girl with a sense of empathy for others from different backgrounds than herself. Nice character development. Excellent story for young girls/teens.