Girls of the Forest by L.T. Meade

Name: Girls of the Forest
Author: L.T. Meade

The novel revolves around a group of girls who live in a remote forest area and are being raised by their father after their mother's death. The story explores themes of isolation, independence, and the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society.

By L.T. Meade · First published 1890 · Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Adventure, Coming-of-Age · 29 chapters · 117,186 words

First lines

It was a beautiful summer's afternoon, and the girls were seated in a circle on the lawn in front of the house. The house was an old Elizabethan mansion, which had been added to from time to time -- fresh additions jutting out here and running up there. There were all sorts of unexpected nooks and corners to be found in the old house -- a flight of stairs just where you did not look for any, and a baize door shutting away the world at the moment when you expected to behold a long vista into space. The house itself was most charming and inviting-looking; but it was also, beyond doubt, much neglected. The doors were nearly destitute of paint, and the papers on many of the walls had completely lost their original patterns. In many instances there were no papers, only discolored walls, which at one time had been gay with paint and rendered beautiful with pictures. The windows were destitute of curtains; the carpets on the floors were reduced to holes and patches. The old pictures in the picture gallery still remained, however, and looked down on the young girls who flitted about there on rainy days with kindly, or searching, or malevolent eyes as suited the characters of those men and women who were portrayed in them.

What this Textopian page supports

Girls of the Forest is listed on Textopian as a novel by L.T. Meade, dated 1890 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: L.T. Meade
Date: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Adventure, Coming-of-Age, Nature Writing, Fiction
Length: 117,186 words
Structure: 29 chapters, 2,600 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Girls of the Forest by L.T. Meade
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Girls of the Forest?
How does this novel by L.T. Meade fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Young Adult Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Young Adult Fiction — The narrative focuses on the experiences and growth of young female characters, appealing to a teenage audience.
Adventure — The plot involves exploration and challenges faced by the characters in a forest setting, emphasizing themes of bravery and discovery.
Coming-of-Age — The story explores the transition from childhood to adulthood, highlighting personal development and self-discovery.
Nature Writing — The setting in the forest plays a significant role, with detailed descriptions of the natural environment influencing the characters' experiences.