Boston Jane

Title: Boston Jane

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

Genre: Fiction- Historical Fiction

# of Pages: 

Books Read: 3/50

Mom says I'm cheating by starting my 50 books before summer, but I say I'm just keeping motivated with a head start! I've just spent the weekend visiting family in Ely, Minnesota ("The coolest small town in America"), which is always prime time for reading and relaxing!

Boston Jane is the eleven-year-old only daughter of a widowed doctor living in Philadelphia in the 1800's. She's a tomboy who loves spitting and throwing manure piles with her friend Jebediah. She eats cherry pie every day, and her stained aprons show it! She also loves helping her father in his practice. He's taught her how to sew a small, neat stitch, and shares his progressive ideas as he encourages his daughter to be an independent thinker. 

All of this changes when her father's new apprentice arrives. William is the most handsome young man Jane has ever met, and she is completely smitten. Encouraged by William and challenged by the snooty girl down the street, Jane enrolls in Miss Hepplewhite's School for Young Ladies. In school, Jane learns that a lady must be quiet, polite, and clean. She begins to change her tomboy ways, and soon she is quoting her schoolbook like it's the Bible. At this point in the book I can't help but wonder, "Why is her father allowing his daughter to continue this?" Also, what happened to her friend Jebediah? He all but disappears from the story at this point. 

When Jane is 13, William finishes his apprenticeship and leaves to go West to "make his fortune." Jane starts writing him letters, hoping to find that he'll return her loving affection. This part of the book reminds us how difficult communication was in those days. Letters would take months to get to the recipient, and often could be lost entirely. I want to see Jane interested in her father's practice again. With the spunk of her childhood and her brains and hard work as seen in finishing school, I think Jane would make a great female doctor! (But of course, women didn't do much other than become wives in those days) When she is 15, she receives the letter she has been waiting for! William asks her to come West and become his wife. 

The rest of the book takes place on the long trip by ship, and Jane's surprising experiences when she arrives in Oregon. I especially appreciate the book's portrayal of the interactions between the settlers and Native Americans. Jane is used to having servants cook for her, draw her bath, and other daily chores. At first, she expects the "savages" to fill this role, thinking they are the servants. She is surprised to be told no, that the Indians are friends, and please don't call them savages. I was pleased by the ending of the book. Jane learns that being a lady doesn't mean one can't have an opinion, but that a true lady is kind, resourceful, and cares for those she loves. 

I just discovered there are two more Boston Jane books! Jennifer L. Holm also is the author of the Newberry honor book, Our Only May Amelia.