Mary-'Gusta

"Mary-'Gusta" by Joseph Crosby Lincoln is a story that throws us into the life of seven-year-old Mary-'Gusta, lately become an orphan after her stepfather's passing, with the town buzzing about what’s to become of the strange girl. When her stepfather, Marcellus Hall, dies, leaving everyone to wonder and worry about her future, the Baxter family expresses concern for her future, as they highlight both ignorance and fascination with her idiosyncrasies. The funeral sets off questions about who will raise her now, with the townsfolk, including reporters and the family, chiming in with their opinions. But amid all the chatter, Mary-'Gusta herself is dealing with her loss and the scary unknown of what lies ahead, as the novel explores childhood feelings while a family is disrupted.