Cicely by Annie Fellows Johnston

Name: Cicely
Author: Annie Fellows Johnston

"Cicely" is a novel set in the Appalachian Mountains during the early 20th century. The story follows the life of Cicely, a young girl who grows up in a small town nestled in the mountains. Throughout the book, Cicely faces various challenges and struggles, including her father's death, her mother's remarriage to a man she does not love, and her own desire for independence. Despite these obstacles, Cicely remains determined to make a better life for herself and her family. The novel explores themes of resilience, perseverance, and the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

By Annie Fellows Johnston · First published 1924 · Genre: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Coming of age · 4,391 words

First lines

There was a noisy whir of sewing-machines in Madame Levaney's large dressmaking establishment. Cicely Leeds's head ached as she bent over the ruffles she was hemming. She was the youngest seamstress in the room, and wore her hair hanging in two long braids.

It seemed a pity that such girlish shoulders should be learning to stoop, and that her eyes had to bear such a constant strain. The light was particularly bad this afternoon. Every curtain was rolled to the top of its big window, but the dull December sky was as gray as a fog. Even the snow on the surrounding housetops looked gray and dirty in the smoky haze.

What this Textopian page supports

Cicely is listed on Textopian as a short story by Annie Fellows Johnston, dated 1924 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Annie Fellows Johnston
Date: 1924 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Coming of age
Length: 4,391 words
Structure: 1 section, 67 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Cicely by Annie Fellows Johnston
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

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How does this short story by Annie Fellows Johnston fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — Cicely was originally published as a part of the author's series aimed at young readers, which fits in the broader genre of children's literature.
Historical Fiction — The story is set in the South during the late 19th-century and includes elements of historical context and period detail, which places it within the genre of historical fiction.
Coming of age — The central theme of the book revolves around the journey and growth of the young protagonist Cicely, hence the book can also fall under the coming of age genre.