Aprilly

by Jane D. Abbott, Harriet Roosevelt Richards (Illustrator)

April Dangerfield, age fourteen, is left orphaned in Boston after the death of her loving mother. Without money or relatives, she finds her way to Blossom, Maine by chance. There she finds work as a companion and helper to a crotchety spinster, who does have a heart. April's mother was a circus performer and April had worked with a trained horse. As you might expect, small town residents don't approve of "circus people." April finds her place in this little town, but only with effort.

296 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Jane Ludlow Drake Abbott (1879-1962) was an American author who began her career writing for adolescent girls, and went on to write adult romance. Born in Buffalo, New York, to a family involved in the shipbuilding industry of the Great Lakes region, she was educated at Cornell University, and married Buffalo attorney Frank A. Abbott. Most of her twenty juvenile titles were published under the name Jane D. Abbott, although a few were released under the name Jane Abbott. Her adult titles were all released under the name Jane Abbott.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read an original edition, so it set the atmosphere for the story. I was hoping to make room for new titles by eliminating this one, but I do like the old "feel good" stories with the optimistic young girl who finds a place in everyone's hearts. The first couple of chapters were a little choppy (or was I too tired?), but once the author found her stride the story flowed smoothly.

[Tammie Groeneman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rough start, but a good story with all the feels of small town by the sea during the 1920’s. There is a surprising ending which is satisfying.