A White Heron and Other Stories

Jewett's short vignettes were dismissed in her lifetime as "mere sketches" of regional life. If you want fast-moving action based plots, these aren't your thing. But the short, loosely interconnected pieces in this collection are wonderful images of a time, place and lifestyle. The domestic world of 19th century women, as well as New England, are painted with a light brush. People interested in early environmentalism/naturalism will find "A White Heron" a depiction of a growing awareness of humanity/nature's interconnectedness. You may have to read this for a high school or college English course, and if so, read it with the expectation of snapshots of American life that reveal a lot about the author's life, too.