Jerome, A Poor Man: A Novel

"Jerome, A Poor Man: A Novel" by Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman is a story set in the late 1800s, mainly about a young boy named Jerome and his family as they struggle with being poor, showing how tough rural life could be back then. The story kicks off with twelve-year-old Jerome finding a bit of happiness hiding from the cold in the springtime sun, even though he’s hungry and doesn’t have much. A rich neighbor lady offers him gingerbread, but he turns it down because of his pride. We also learn that things aren’t easy at home, where his mother is strict and money is tight. As the story goes on, we see Jerome trying to stay strong and keep his dignity, even when things get really difficult for him and his loved ones.