Ella Clinton; or, By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them

"Ella Clinton; or, By Their Fruits Ye Shall Know Them" by Martha Finley is a mid-19th century story about an orphan named Ella Clinton and her difficult life with her stern Aunt Prudence. It explores the big ideas of right and wrong, the challenges young people face, and the value of being good and turning away from sin through Ella's experiences. The story starts with Ella feeling angry and sad because of her aunt's strict rules. Despite being kind, Ella often acts carelessly and rebels, which causes constant trouble with her aunt. Remembering what her mother taught her, Ella tries to deal with problems at home and school, really wanting to make her aunt happy, even though it's hard. This struggle shows the book's main point: it's important to grow a kind heart and ask God for help to become a better person, setting the stage for Ella to improve and make up for her mistakes.