Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire Girl

"Ethel Hollister's Second Summer as a Campfire Girl" by Irene Elliott Benson is a tale of transformation experienced by a young woman finding autonomy and fulfillment outside of the traditional expectations of the early 1900s. Ethel Hollister, initially presented as a girl of privilege who struggles with her mother's rigid social ambitions, embarks on a summer journey that reshapes her identity. Through her engagement in the Campfire Girls, a bond with peers, and the welcoming atmosphere that her loving Aunt Susan provides, Ethel learns about genuine friendship and the importance of inner character over external status. This growth happens as she experiences an unexpected summer where she learns of the struggles peers face, confronting loyalty, sacrifice, and the discovery of her authentic values, all challenging the norms of her previous sheltered life.