Boston Jane

 Boston Jane; An Adventure

Holm, J. L. (2010). Boston Jane: An Adventure. Random House Children's Books. 

ISBN 978-0375862045

Plot Summary:

1855. The unknown wilds of the Pacific Northwest—a land not yet tamed, and certainly not fitting for a proper young lady! Yet that’s just where Miss Jane Peck finds herself. After a tumultuous childhood on the wrong side of Philadelphia high society, Jane is trying to put aside her reckless ways and be accepted as a proper young lady. And so when handsome William Baldt proposes, she joyfully accepts and prepares to join him in a world away from her home in Washington Territory. But Miss Hepplewhite’ s straitlaced finishing school was hardly preparation for the treacherous months at sea it takes to get there, the haunting loss she’ll face on the way, or the colorful characters and crude life that await her on the frontier.

(Holm, n.d.)

Analysis:

Boston Jane is an adventure story about the American Frontier. After a tumultuous and tragic ocean voyage Jane finds herself in the throes of life in the unsettled Pacific Northwest. The characters in this novel are uncomplicated. Sally Biddle is a typical antagonist, Papa is a widowed doctor raising a child without her mother’s female influence. Mary and Mrs. Parker are devoted housemaids. And as we explore the frontier, the characters we meet continue to be somewhat uni-dimensional. We glimpse some character development when Jane meets Suis and their relationship develops. The spirits spoken of by the native Americans as well as Mary’s haunting appearances add interest to the somewhat predictable plot. Jane is trapped in a self-made cell throughout most of the book as she endeavors to become “a lady”.  She finally comes into her own and rediscovers her voice, but the path she takes to get there is maddening. I would recommend this adventure story for young readers.

Book Reviews:

Jane is alone and unsure about the frontier, but learns how to cope and maintains her wits. Her struggles bring readers to the realization that frontier life can be a challenge. Jane eventually learns how to get along with the Chinook Indians and takes charge of her life and destiny. Readers who like an adventure story will enjoy the book's underlying historical theme. It's a great read for learning about Shoalwater Bay in the Washington Territory.

–Holmes, M. (2002). Boston Jane (Book). Book Report, 20(4), 61.

 The series of challenges that transform Jane into an outspoken, self-reliant young woman forms a tale that readers will long remember.

–Zaleski, J. (2002). Fiction REPRINTS. Publishers Weekly, 249(37), 71.

Connections:

• This book chronicles an interesting time in US history. It would be a good conversation starter about native americans and the Pacific Northwest.

Awards:

JENNIFER L. HOLM is the New York Times bestselling author of three Newbery Honor Books, as well as the Babymouse and Squish series which she collaborates on with her brother Matthew Holm.

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5385.