Little Meg's Children

"Little Meg's Children" by Hesba Stretton is a poignant novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in the grimy East End of London, focusing on the life of a young girl named Meg, who must navigate the challenges of caring for her siblings after the tragic loss of their mother. As Meg struggles with poverty, she embodies resilience and commitment, facing the harrowing realities of her situation while holding onto hope for her father's return. The opening of the novel introduces us to Meg and her circumstances as she tends to her dying mother in their cramped attic. With her mother’s passing, Meg is left to care for her two younger siblings, Robin and the baby, while also guarding a hidden treasure of gold coins belonging to her father’s mate. The chapter illustrates the stark contrast between the harshness of their living conditions and Meg's nurturing spirit as she takes on the responsibilities of an adult. Despite the immense weight of her challenges, Meg remains committed to protecting her family and maintaining their dignity in the face of adversity. The setting and themes effectively immerse the reader into the struggles of the lower class and the innocence of childhood amid despair. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Hesba Stretton was the pseudonym of Sarah Smith, an evangelical English author of religious books for children. These were highly popular. By the late 19th century Jessica's First Prayer had sold a million and a half copies – ten times more than Alice in Wonderland. She concocted "Hesba Stretton" from the initials of herself and four surviving siblings, along with the name of a Shropshire village she visited, All Stretton, where her sister Anne owned a house, Caradoc Lodge.