A Princess in Calico

"A Princess in Calico" by Edith Ferguson Black is a story about a young woman named Pauline Harding, who lives on a farm called Sleepy Hollow and dreams of a more exciting life beyond her step-family's demands. When her uncle invites her to Boston, Pauline sees a chance to escape her dull, hardworking existence and find true happiness. The book begins as Pauline prepares to turn seventeen, feeling unseen and burdened by her family’s chores, but when a letter arrives from her uncle, she dares to hope for a new life away from the farm. As she gets ready to leave her difficult life at Hickory Farm for the possibilities of the city, the shift highlights her quest for finding herself, experiencing freedom, and learning about love and what it means to give back. Through Pauline's journey, "A Princess in Calico" shows a portrait of a girl on the brink of change, ready to discover what lies beyond her small-town world.