The Copy-Cat, and Other Stories

"The Copy-Cat, and Other Stories" by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman is a set of short narratives taking place in the 1800s that center upon young people finding their way in the world; the tales examine what it means to be a kid, to know who you are, and how people get along, especially between children in a close-knit community. "The Copy-Cat" kicks things off with Lily Jennings, a girl everyone thinks is pretty and cool, and Amelia Wheeler, who doesn't have the fancy looks or clothes but really wants to be like Lily; Amelia really looks up to Lily, which makes her feel uneasy and unsure of herself. The story begins in a school, where the way the kids act around each other shows how hard it can be to figure out who you are and fit in; Lily shows off her nice things and acts charming, while Amelia just wants to be liked, leading to some tricky situations that suggest the bigger ideas in the story, like copying others, looking up to them, and discovering who you really are.