The Taken Girl

by Elizabeth Gray Vining

An orphan girl taken on as helper in a Quaker household that includes John Greenleaf Whittier becomes involved in the anti-slavery movement in Philadelphia.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Elizabeth Gray Vining began her distinguished writing career with children's books because she said "they enjoy their books so much, read and re-read them—which is satisfying to a hard-working author." Later she began to write for adults as well, and they, too, read and re-read her books. among the most popular of these books are Windows for the Crown Prince, The Virginia Exiles, Friend of Life, Take Heed of Loving Me, and Flora.
—From the back of "Return To Japan"
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Elizabeth Janet Gray, also known as Elizabeth Gray Vining, was a prominent Quaker, known for having gone to Japan after World War II to tutor Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was the Crown Prince. She was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and a noted author of children's and adult literature. She won the Newbery Award for Adam of the Road, published in 1942.

Reviews

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book as a 7th grader in 1987 at my school library. Sorry if I get some of the detail wrong. I can't even remember the name of the orphan girl who is taken in by a family with (two?) daughters who do their best to let her know she is not included and everyone treats her like an indentured servant and social pariah.

She crushes on a man who is leading a revolt against slavery in the city but he can't return her affections because of their differing classes-he's a prominent leader, she's a nobody and too young for him anyway. Their first meeting occured as she was passionately flinging dishes against the wall venting her anger being exluded by the other girls from joining the fall hay ride and bonfire just because she's an "orphan". This leads her to get involved with the slavery issues.
The ending is happy as one of the Quaker boys ends up liking her (she's a really good cook) and asks her out on a picnic date. I remember it was a very easy read and I enjoyed learning what life in 19th century Philadelphia was like.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A year ago exactly I was introduced to one of the bigger scenes where the free speech arguments were being made during 2018, and saw who it was that was being attacked for what they think and are willing to say these days. It's interesting to see how the exact same thought processes were at work in the 1830s etc., and think that the level of interest in the topic, and the level of craziness in the major cities and among the major groups would be the same back then as what I was immersed into last January.

Well-written, I think; didn't realize it would be a book "about Whittier," but I'd been thinking of looking him up anyway, so good timing. I wouldn't give it five stars; it's not that kind of well-written--it's a different kind. Anyway, good for getting me back into reading paper books and off my phone-reading.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

B. fiction, teen, historical fiction, orphan, 19th c., abolition, from stash, keep.