As the title indicates, the country school is the feature of the book which has suggested much of its plot, and the author has woven a delightful narrative, sensible and practical, and at the same time interesting and uplifting, which will be welcomed by the young people.—Congregationalist.
The scene of Evelyn Raymond's new story is partly in New York and partly in the country "among the lindens." A poor family is assisted by a wealthy friend in the best possible way,—he helps them to help themselves. The youngest boy is the life of the story, something of an amusing and exceedingly lively nature happening to him every day of his life. The children of the story have faults, but strive to correct them, and have healthy and noble ideals of life and character. There is an exceptionally pleasant, homelike atmosphere about the book.
This is the second volume in "The Young Puritans Series." The author has made a very careful study of the Colonial life and history of the time. Like the first volume of the series, her attempt to depict the life of Puritan children for young people is closely based on historical facts. These volumes should be read carefully and studied by the children of to-day, recounting, as they do, the hardships endured by their forefathers and foremothers in the settlement of this country, as well as their devotion, high aims, and religious zeal. The third volume of the series will be devoted to "The Young Puritans in Captivity."
Mrs. Spofford's new book includes the following stories, dealing with the same characters as those of her delightful volume of schoolgirl life entitled "Hester Stanley at St. Mark's": Bella's Choice; A Christmas that was Christmas; Jule's Garden; April Showers; Rafe; The Little Black Fiddle; Billy and his Grandmother; Remade; The Fourth at Marcia Meyer's; Little Rosalie; At Old Benbow.