Janet Hardy in Hollywood

"Janet Hardy in Hollywood" by Ruthe S. Wheeler is a story set in the early 1900s, about Janet Hardy, a hopeful high schooler eager to star in her senior class play, while juggling friendships and life's obstacles, especially with the anticipated homecoming of her friend Helen's well-known film director father. The story looks at themes around ambition, friendship, and the pursuit of acknowledgement amidst relatable personal and social struggles. The start introduces Janet, with her friend Helen, working to prepare their tryouts for the drama production, bringing in excitement and nervousness about competing, while revealing Janet's supportive character when she gives encouragement to Helen, who wants to show off to her father with a main role in the play. As the story unfolds, we see pressure mounting, friendships growing, and how their goals come together with family happenings, mostly around Helen's father's movie influence hanging over them. Overall, the beginning lays out a lively scene to look at youth, ambition, and reaching for dreams.