Coquette

"Coquette" by Frank Swinnerton is a story from the early 1900s about Sally Minto, a young woman facing tough times because of poverty and a difficult home environment where her dad struggled with alcohol and eventually passed away. Sally is unhappy and wants more from life, so the book follows her relationships as she hopes for freedom and love. At first, Sally watches the world from her small home, interested in the exciting but risky street life. Her mom is tired and struggling, and her dad is dealing with his problems. When her father dies, Sally has to face reality and decides she wants a better life. She starts planning how to escape poverty and finds herself drawn to a young man called Toby, who makes her want independence even more. This beginning shows a story about growing up, dealing with tough situations, and trying to find your own value.