What do you think?
Rate this book
Rainbow Hill
This is a new release of the original 1924 edition.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1924
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Lawrence
111 books7 followersA versatile and prolific author, Josephine Lawrence began her career in journalism, soon branched out to ghostwrite girls' and tots' series under her own name and pseudonymously, then went on to earn national recognition for her adult fiction. When she died in 1978, she had written 33 adult novels and approximately 100 children's books. Despite Lawrence's many publications, biographical information about her remains sparse, scattered among a number of brief articles and reviews of her books. This webpage attempts to remedy that lack of information by providing a detailed bio-bibliography of a noteworthy -- and too often overlooked -- woman writer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 26, 2024
4.5🌟 So charming and entertaining!
I really enjoyed reading the first book in this trilogy (Rosemary), but the second book was even more wonderful and cozy. It was a joy to reconnect with the lovely Willis family—Mrs. Willis (mother of four children, loving, delicate health), her son Hugh (oldest child, responsible, kind, also a doctor), Rosemary (oldest daughter, ray of sunshine, changing moods, thoughtful, helpful) , Sarah (middle daughter, animal lover, obstinate, impulsive), Shirley (youngest child, sweet, agreeable) and Winnie (sassy, grumpy, caring, live in housekeeper/cook and friend).
In Rainbow Hill, the family is having an addition put on their house so that Hugh can have his practice closer to home. The family moves to Rainbow Hill for the summer and many adventures follow. The girls learn about the responsibilities of farm life, meet new friends, and help others in many ways. They get into a few scrapes themselves, but everything turns out alright with the help of family and common sense.
The tone of this book is positive and hopeful, without being too sappy. All of the characters are well-rounded, interesting and sometimes amusing! I love the conversations between the sisters and the relationship that Hugh has with his younger siblings. Winnie makes sure everything having to do with the family is "above board" and also brings humor into the story itself.
If this book had illustrations throughout the story, it would be even more amazing. But, even as is, I loved every minute of this book and I'm planning on reading all three books again right away...once I finish the next one, Rosemary and the Princess. The covers by Thelma Gooch are so beautiful! I wish I could have them as art prints on the walls of my little library.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves vintage middle grade books, stories about families and a little summer vacation in the country. Wonderful!
I really enjoyed reading the first book in this trilogy (Rosemary), but the second book was even more wonderful and cozy. It was a joy to reconnect with the lovely Willis family—Mrs. Willis (mother of four children, loving, delicate health), her son Hugh (oldest child, responsible, kind, also a doctor), Rosemary (oldest daughter, ray of sunshine, changing moods, thoughtful, helpful) , Sarah (middle daughter, animal lover, obstinate, impulsive), Shirley (youngest child, sweet, agreeable) and Winnie (sassy, grumpy, caring, live in housekeeper/cook and friend).
In Rainbow Hill, the family is having an addition put on their house so that Hugh can have his practice closer to home. The family moves to Rainbow Hill for the summer and many adventures follow. The girls learn about the responsibilities of farm life, meet new friends, and help others in many ways. They get into a few scrapes themselves, but everything turns out alright with the help of family and common sense.
The tone of this book is positive and hopeful, without being too sappy. All of the characters are well-rounded, interesting and sometimes amusing! I love the conversations between the sisters and the relationship that Hugh has with his younger siblings. Winnie makes sure everything having to do with the family is "above board" and also brings humor into the story itself.
If this book had illustrations throughout the story, it would be even more amazing. But, even as is, I loved every minute of this book and I'm planning on reading all three books again right away...once I finish the next one, Rosemary and the Princess. The covers by Thelma Gooch are so beautiful! I wish I could have them as art prints on the walls of my little library.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves vintage middle grade books, stories about families and a little summer vacation in the country. Wonderful!
January 4, 2024
Christmas present, 1924 edition
100 years ago, it was much more common for people to be hospitalized for vaguely debilitating diseases; the mother has been to a sanitarium several times, but when the family home is being renovated so that the father can have his medical practice in the same building (remember these?), the family is sent out to the country, because living there is so much healthier.
This was a fun book to read, and goes well with my small collection of vintage literature. I wish I could get more of my students to read things like Fisher's 1916 Understood Betsy or Flower's 1911 Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year in High School, which was reprinted in 2919.
100 years ago, it was much more common for people to be hospitalized for vaguely debilitating diseases; the mother has been to a sanitarium several times, but when the family home is being renovated so that the father can have his medical practice in the same building (remember these?), the family is sent out to the country, because living there is so much healthier.
This was a fun book to read, and goes well with my small collection of vintage literature. I wish I could get more of my students to read things like Fisher's 1916 Understood Betsy or Flower's 1911 Grace Harlowe's Sophomore Year in High School, which was reprinted in 2919.
January 10, 2019
Three young sisters, their doctor brother and physically frail mother have to vacate their house for the summer and rent a small farm called Rainbow Hill.
Impossibly wholesome behaviour and mild life lessons ensue, such as learning from a family of orphans that being poor is no fun.
Rosemary, the eldest, is the main character, but middle sister Sarah is the only be who gets into any scrapes. An animal lover, she gets butted by a goat, adopts a piglet which she dresses up in a skirt and teaches to do tricks.
At least the narrative provided this little nugget: 'the girls had been trained from babyhood to regard the dark as "kind to tired people."
Impossibly wholesome behaviour and mild life lessons ensue, such as learning from a family of orphans that being poor is no fun.
Rosemary, the eldest, is the main character, but middle sister Sarah is the only be who gets into any scrapes. An animal lover, she gets butted by a goat, adopts a piglet which she dresses up in a skirt and teaches to do tricks.
At least the narrative provided this little nugget: 'the girls had been trained from babyhood to regard the dark as "kind to tired people."
Read
January 15, 2016e reader
128pg
"Individual responsibility -- adapting to changed circumstances, developing responsiblity, learning greater self-control -- are often key elements in these books"
"A versatile and prolific author, Josephine Lawrence began her career in journalism, soon branched out to ghostwrite girls' and tots' series under her own name and pseudonymously, then went on to earn national recognition for her adult fiction.
When she died in 1978, she had written 33 adult novels and approximately 100 children's books."
from read series.com
childrens classic
(Josephine Lawrence's stories for girls)
3.5 ★
128pg
"Individual responsibility -- adapting to changed circumstances, developing responsiblity, learning greater self-control -- are often key elements in these books"
"A versatile and prolific author, Josephine Lawrence began her career in journalism, soon branched out to ghostwrite girls' and tots' series under her own name and pseudonymously, then went on to earn national recognition for her adult fiction.
When she died in 1978, she had written 33 adult novels and approximately 100 children's books."
from read series.com
childrens classic
(Josephine Lawrence's stories for girls)
3.5 ★
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews