Growing Up: A Story of the Girlhood of Judith Mackenzie

"Growing Up: A Story of the Girlhood of Judith Mackenzie" by Nathaniel Conklin is a story that follows Judith Mackenzie as she deals with the challenges of growing up and taking care of her sick mother during the late 1800s. The novel explores themes of love, family ties, and self-improvement, charting Judith's development into adulthood as she interacts with her family, particularly her wheelchair-bound mother. The story opens with a heartfelt moment between Judith and her mother, showing Judith’s happiness in sharing her creative "pictures". Their discussion highlights their close relationship and Judith's goals, hopes, and interest about the world. Judith's tales reveal her increasing independence and dreams for the future, including her desire to assist her mother in regaining her health, establishing an emotionally charged story packed with life lessons about love, responsibility, and navigating the complexities of adulthood in a society filled with expectations and obstacles.