Hannah's Fancy Notions: A Story of Industrial New England

Once Upon America

by Pat Ross

When Hannah sets out to make something special for her sister, who works to support the family, she doesn't suspect the far-reaching consequences of her gift

Genres: Historical Fiction, Chapter Books, Childrens

Paperback

First published August 1, 1988

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story of endurance on the part of a little girl and the need for hope and meaning on the part of her father.

[Lydia Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot.

Hannah's sister is away working, and her mother's dead. Papa doesn't do much, and she's left in charge of the house and her three younger sisters. Their life is hard, but they make it work.

Her older sister's turning fifteen, and she'll be home for it. Hannah's excited, but she doesn't know what to make her. Hannah goes to the shed where Papa works, and looks at all the wallpaper. She has an idea, but she'll need help to make it work.

Hannah made a band box for her sister, and it worked well. When her sister goes to work, she comes back with orders for boxes from some of the other girls who work. They get paid, and get more orders. They have so many, they make a shed full for people to pick one out.

I'll let you read the rest. It's a very short book, but very good.

[Aspen Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story about an young girl who takes a dream and makes it a reality. It would be a wonderful way to show kids that even though you are young, you too can be an inventor. It also shows that a woman can be an inventor even during a time where women weren't treated very fairly.

[Katrina Mundt · Rating 3 out of 5]

industrial New England, mill girl