A Little Brother of the Books
The novel revolves around a young woman who returns to her family's estate after being away for several years. She becomes involved with a group of people who are part of an intellectual circle and begins to question the societal norms she was raised with. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and social class as the protagonist navigates her relationships with these individuals.
By Josephine Daskam Bacon · First published 1916 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Drama · 6,387 words
First lines
The new librarian entered upon her duties bright and early Monday morning. She closed with a quick snap the little wicket-gate that separated the books from the outer vestibule, briskly arranged her paste-tube, her dated stamp, and her box of slips, and summoned her young assistant sharply. The assistant was reading _Molly Bawn_ and eating caramels, and she shut book and bag quickly, wiping her mouth as she hurried to her superior.
"Now, Miss Mather, I expect to get fifty books properly labelled and shelved before noon," said the new librarian, "and there must be no time wasted. If anyone wants me, I shall be in Section K," and she turned to go.
What this Textopian page supports
A Little Brother of the Books is listed on Textopian as a novel by Josephine Daskam Bacon, dated 1916 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Josephine Daskam Bacon
- Date: 1916 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Coming-of-Age, Drama, Social Commentary, Children's Literature
- Length: 6,387 words
- Structure: 1 section, 129 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Little Brother of the Books by Josephine Daskam Bacon
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Little Brother of the Books?
- How does this novel by Josephine Daskam Bacon fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of childhood, loss, and the relationship between individuals and literature, emphasizing character development and emotional depth.
- Coming-of-Age — The story centers on a young boy's experiences and growth, highlighting his unique relationship with books and the world around him.
- Drama — The plot involves emotional conflicts and character interactions that evoke strong feelings, focusing on the struggles of the librarian and the boy.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques societal norms regarding childhood, education, and the role of libraries, reflecting on how these institutions interact with individuals.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Literary Fiction · Coming-of-Age · Family Drama · Social Commentary · Realism · Psychological Insight · Character Study · Domestic Life · Marriage · Mother-Son Relationship