Boston Jane: An Adventure

Sixteen-year-old Jane Peck used to be the tomboyish, unladylike sort, until she decided to enroll herself into Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy and become a "proper lady". For Jane things couldn't be better now that she is a lady, and when her childhood crush, William Baldt, asks her to marry him and go to the Northwestern Territory, Jane consents, even against the wishes of her beloved father. Soon though, Jane begins to kinda regret her decision as she suffers seasickness, deals with the young, despicable, yet charming sailor Jehu Scudder, and sees her companion Mary die in a storm. Jane knows, however, that William will be waiting for her and she perseveres. Unfortunately when she arrives, she learns that Willliam won't be back for months after he was sent on a mission by the Governor. Soon Jane learns that the wilderness life is quite unsuitable for her ladylike ways, and she finds herself going back to her old ways, the person she truly is. In just a few short monthes Jane has had as many adventures as we might have in a lifetime, from forage for salmonberries, almost drowning, sharing a cabin with flea-bitten, dirty men, and the one thing that Jane fears the most: her growing relationship with the young sailor Jehu Scudder. Her mind tells her though that she must stay loyal to William, even though her heart says something else, so she rejects Jehu, telling him she has no choice. The hurt Jehu leaves the settlement and for the first time Jane feels very much alone...until finally William returns! However William has brought secrets back with him, and when Jane finally finds out the truth she learns how ignorant she was to her father's warning, but the thing that she regrets the most is telling Jehu she had no choice...This is the first novel I have ever read by Jennifer L. Holm and I must say I have become a quick fan of her. Jane has the charm and wit that is hard to resist. It was also really fun to read how Jane reminded herself how to be a lady and quoted alot from her etiquette book. I can't wait to read the new book in the Boston Jane trilogy: Boston Jane: Wilderness Days!

Boston Jan tell the story of Jane Peck in the 1800s. Her father is a surgeon and she gets to help him cure people. In her spare time, she enjoys spitting and throwing things. But things change when her father's apprentice, William, tells Jane that she should be a lady. Because she had a crush on him, she enrolls in a girl's school. Within a few years she is a lady. Willaim goes west to the fronteir, and sends a letter asking Jane to marry her. To her father's dismay, she goes. You have to read the book to find out what happens next. This is a fantastic book! I felt so sorry for Jane at certain parts of the book. And, this book is way better than Our Only May Amelia, the other book by the author.

When I got this book I wasn't looking forward to reading it because I didn't like the back of the book description or the cover. But when I actually started reading it I got really into it. I thought all that she went through was exciting and watching the romance between Jehu and Jane unfold was worth me reading the book alone. When she was seasick, I could start feeling my stomach hurt. I would recommend this to anyone who likes reading adventure, romance, or intrigue stories. READ THIS! You will not be disappointed.

Ms. Holm does a wonderful job of presenting how to handle unexpected challenges to any one reading this book, as its main character, Jane, must be resourceful and flexible in her ideology as well as remaining practical to survive in her new setting. Ms. Holm offers a positive perspective for any youth or adult to adapt, as our own realities of storybook picture type of life which is often presented to us in childhood, is not necessarily how life turns out when we all grow up. Jane shows her ability to adapt to each new situation that comes along as her years progress. I don't want to give away too much, as this book is a joy to read and re-read. It is suspenseful and yet satisfying, a true enjoyment for my fellow readers.

Motherless Jane Peck ran wild until age eleven when, against her father's wishes, she decided to become a proper young lady at the urging of her father's apprentice, William. When William leaves for the wilds of the Northwest frontier, Jane is devastated. When, at age fifteen, Jane receives a letter from William proposing marriage, she is eager to accept, even though her father does not want her to. But Jane gets her way, and she sets sail from Philadelphia on a ship bound for Washington. But the year is 1854, and sea travel is not easy. Jane faces dangers and hardships on board, and when she finally arrives at her destination, she finds that William is not there to meet her. Alone in this harsh wilderness, Jane is going to have to work to survive, even if it's something no "proper lady" would ever do. I highly reccomend this historical novel. It's very different in style from Jennifer Holm's first book, but is just as good nonetheless.