Esther : a book for girls

"Esther: A Book for Girls" by Rosa Nouchette Carey is a story from the late 1800s that follows a young woman named Esther Cameron as she comes of age and tries to find where she belongs in a changing world, especially within her family, as they deal with difficult times after her father dies. The book seems to be about growing up, taking on responsibility within your family, and what society expects from young women. Esther begins by wondering about her name and wishing she was as pretty as her sister and friends. Leaving her school, Redmayne House, makes her feel both sad and worried because she's leaving her childhood behind and entering an unsure future with her family. When her Uncle Geoffrey comes to take her home because her father is sick, happy feelings turn to sadness. As Esther deals with her feelings and the changes happening around her, the story gives us hints about the personalities and relationships of her family members, showing the problems they'll have to solve together in their new lives.