"Jane Austen's best friend spills the beans on the famous author in this sweet novel!"
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend
By: Cora Harrison
Genres: Jane Austen | Young Adult
Posted: March 17, 2011
The story opens with young Jenny Cooper writing in her diary about how she and her cousin, Jane Austen, are unhappy, homesick students at Mrs. Cawley's school for young ladies. When Jane is taken deathly ill with a mysterious fever Jenny must take matters into her own hands and she slips out at night to send a letter to Jane's parents advising them of the situation. What she doesn't count on is being caught out alone by a group of rowdy sailors and she is grateful when she is rescued by a handsome young Captain Thomas Williams, the man who would soon hold the key to her young heart.
Jane and Jenny (who also falls ill with the fever) are whisked away to Steventon by Jane's parents where Jenny is quickly accepted into the Austen household. As she joins her cousin Jane in the family's activities, Jenny's thoughts are never far from the handsome young Captain Williams and her hopes that someday they might be reunited.
Cora Harrison has crafted a delightful story with this sweetly innocent "diary" of Miss Jenny Cooper. Written in Jenny's voice and decorated throughout with charming line drawings (by artist Susan Hellard) this book is a great introduction to young readers to the real-life biography of Jane Austen and her family.
Book Summary
When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship. So when Jenny falls utterly in love with Captain Thomas Williams, who better than Jane to help her win the heart of this dashing man?
But is that even possible? After all, Jenny’s been harboring a most desperate secret. Should it become known, it would bring scandal not only to her, but also to the wonderful Austen family. What’s a poor orphan girl to do?
In this delicious dance between truth and fiction, Cora Harrison has crafted Jenny’s secret diary by reading everything Jane Austen wrote as a child and an adult, and by researching biographies, critical studies, and family letters. Jenny’s diary makes the past spring vividly to life and provides insight into the entire Austen family—especially the beloved Jane.
Read an Excerpt
I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend
by: Cora Harrison
Delacorte
October 1, 2010
On Sale: September 28, 2010
Featuring: Jenny Cooper; Jane Austen; Thomas Williams
352 pages
ISBN: 0385739400
EAN: 9780385739405
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