Phoebe Daring: A Story for Young Folk

"Phoebe Daring: A Story for Young Folk" by L. Frank Baum is a children's novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces us to the main characters, particularly Phoebe Daring and her siblings, who are concerned about their friend Toby Clark, a young clerk and aspiring lawyer recently left jobless after the death of his kind benefactor, Judge Ferguson. The narrative weaves themes of friendship, loyalty, and the quest for justice as the characters navigate the challenges arising from Toby's sudden misfortune. The opening portion of the book sets the stage with a discussion among Phoebe and her siblings about the plight of Toby Clark, who finds himself unemployed after the judge’s unexpected passing. The Daring family expresses their concern for Toby, emphasizing his noble character and past heroism. Phoebe takes it upon herself to seek a way to help him without hurting his pride, reflecting her determination to assist a friend in need. The revelation of Toby's challenges introduces a compelling and empathetic narrative that draws the reader into the complexities of friendship and the societal pressures surrounding them. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Lyman Frank Baum was an American author best known for his children's fantasy books, particularly The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, part of a series. In addition to the 14 Oz books, Baum penned 41 other novels, 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He made numerous attempts to bring his works to the stage and screen; the 1939 adaptation of the first Oz book became a landmark of 20th-century cinema.