02735cam a22003493u 4500 77161 UtSlPG 20260610134804.0 m cr n 260607r20251856utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d 2016660476 UtSlPG en iso639-1 PZ Guernsey, Lucy Ellen, 1826-1899 Sophie Kennedy's experience Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2025 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2025-10-31 "Sophie Kennedy's experience" by Lucy Ellen Guernsey is a didactic domestic novel written in the mid-19th century. It follows sensitive schoolgirl Sophie as she faces gossip about her father’s remarriage, meets a gentle, capable stepmother, and begins learning obedience, patience, and Christian duty. The work challenges common prejudices against stepmothers while highlighting charity, self-discipline, and Protestant family life. The opening of the novel shows school gossipmonger Laura blurting out Mr. Kennedy’s impending remarriage, sending Sophie into distress until Nancy, the family’s faithful nurse, calms her with examples of kind stepmothers. Mrs. Gaylord soon involves Sophie in visiting Betsey, a poor, badly burned child devoted to her own stepmother, which draws Sophie into practical charity and keeping promises. Mr. Kennedy returns with Sophie’s new mother, whose warmth, music, and thoughtful guidance quickly reassure the girl, and who establishes orderly worship and steady home lessons. As music, sewing, arithmetic, and Bible study begin, Sophie’s impatience and daydreaming surface; a tantrum over arithmetic costs her a drawing lesson, but a visit with her mother to Betsey reveals the child’s serene Christian faith and forgiveness, prompting Sophie to reflect on duty over reverie. Soon after, Sophie’s carelessness in the cold brings on a severe illness, and Dr. Werner orders rest, barring her from seeing the now-dying Betsey—setting the stage for Sophie’s struggle between impulse and the firm, loving guidance around her. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Originally published: New York: General Protestant Episcopal S. S. Union and Church Book Society, 1856 Christian life -- Juvenile fiction Girls -- Conduct of life -- Juvenile fiction Stepmothers -- Juvenile fiction Orr, Nathaniel Thwaites, W. H. (William H.) https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77161 117883 117883