Little Prudy's Cousin Grace

"Little Prudy's Cousin Grace" by Sophie May is a children's novel written in the mid-19th century. The book follows two young friends, Grace Clifford and Katharine "Cassy" Hallock, as they navigates the complexities of childhood friendships, ambitions, and social dynamics against the backdrop of their daily school life and the formation of a secret society called the Ruby Seal. The story captures the innocence and fervor of youth, touching on themes of loyalty, ambition, and the importance of true friendship. The opening of the book introduces us to Grace and Cassy, who are nearly twelve and inseparable friends. They display contrasting personalities, with Grace being vibrant and expressive while Cassy is calm and gentle. The pair has created a bond symbolized by exchanging rings, pledging to remain loyal to each other forever. As they walk through town pondering the differences between boys and girls, they discuss their desire to create a secret society. The narrative sets the stage for their adventures and challenges, hinting at the deeper explorations of friendship and rivalry that will unfold as the story progresses. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Rebecca Sophia Clarke, also known as Sophie May, was an American author of children's fiction. Using her nieces and nephews as inspiration, she wrote realistic stories about children. Between 1860 and 1903, she wrote 45 books, the most popular being the Little Prudy series. She spent most of her life in her native town of Norridgewock, Maine.