Jessie's Parrot

"Jessie's Parrot" by Joanna H. Mathews is a heartwarming children's story from long ago that follows young Jessie and her ailing grandfather as they face tough times. When her grandfather falls ill, Jessie makes the difficult decision to part with her cherished parrot to provide for him. We also meet Fanny, a young girl who is moving to Europe, leaving behind her school friends. The novel explores themes of friendship, generosity, jealousy, and the hardships of poverty, highlighting the emotional connections and rivalries among these young characters. As Fanny says goodbye, the arrival of a new student named Hattie stirs up drama among the children, leading them to learn lessons about kindness, misinterpretations, and the importance of helping those in need as they rally around Jessie and her grandfather.