Boston Jane

September 16, 2002
A 16-year-old blossoming society lady must abandon etiquette in order to survive on the frontier. "The series of challenges that transform Jane into an outspoken, self-reliant young woman forms a tale that readers will long remember," said PW. Ages 10-up.

September 3, 2001
Holm (Our Only May Amelia) returns to the frontier (by way of Philadelphia) in this fast-paced second novel about a blossoming society lady who must surrender etiquette in order to survive. The enormously likable and irrepressible 16-year-old narrator Jane recounts her childhood crush on her father's apprentice William, which caused her, at age 11, to trade her tomboyish spitting and cherry pie–eating for proper deportment and embroidery lessons at Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy. As Jane makes her way to the Oregon territory to marry William, Holm humorously juxtaposes Miss Hepplewhite's lessons with the reality of life at sea and on the frontier in 1854. Such advice as travelers must "dress plainly and pack lightly" does not seem to apply: Jane reflects, "She had been rather remiss in mentioning any hints on killing fleas, avoiding rats, bathing with seawater, or being seasick." The plot thickens when she meets Jehu, an officer on the ship and discovers that William has departed for a project with the governor. Jane (named Boston Jane by the local Chinook Indians) must share a cabin with unkempt, tobacco-chewing men and make herself useful by cooking, washing and mending rather than supervising servants or pouring tea. The developing love triangle (with Jehu and William) takes a back seat to Holm's credible portrait of Jane's budding friendships with the Chinook and pioneers, and the series of challenges that transform her into the outspoken, self-reliant young woman readers will long remember. Ages 10-up.

January 14, 2002
With a bright, effective reading, Gilsig fits neatly into the role of Jane Peck, a young woman in transition in the year 1854. Jane has worked hard to adhere to the rules of The Young Lady's Confidante,
her textbook at Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy in Philadelphia. Her accomplishments in embroidery, drawing and coffee pouring have earned Jane her father's dismay and her teacher's respect. But when she follows her heart after a young man who has gone to stake a claim to land in the Oregon frontier, Jane quickly learns that her ladylike skills may not be the most handy. A grueling passage by ship lands Jane in Shoalwater Bay, an area from which her betrothed has temporarily moved on. As she awaits his return, Jane must befriend the rough men who have come to seek their fortunes as well as the "savages" or Chinook Indians who are an invaluable source of help. Survival becomes more important than etiquette and Jane finds herself doing many things not befitting a "proper lady." In her narration, Gilsig adroitly changes tone from tentative to indignant to confident, depicting Jane's transformation from frail and ineffectual to robust and vibrant. Young listeners will find much to like in Gilsig's interpretation of this winning adventure. Ages 9-12.