Nelly's First Schooldays

"Nelly's First Schooldays" by Josephine Franklin is a heartwarming tale set in the mid-1800s that centers on a young girl named Nelly as she embarks on her schooling journey with enthusiasm. Eager to learn, she is quickly met with life's challenges as she makes unexpected friends and navigates the pressures of her new environment. The story begins by introducing the impoverished Harrow family and their hardships, focusing on Elinor’s illness resulting from hard labor. Despite these somber realities, Nelly, newly adopted by the Brookses, looks forward to attending school and making friends. While at school, Nelly faces difficulties with a classmate, Melinda, which in turn teaches her the importance of forgiveness and empathy. Overall, the beginning of the story shines a light on the strength of friendship and finding hope when times are tough, themes that weave throughout the book.