While I was scrolling through X, I came across a book called Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace, that recently had a foreword written by one of my favorite authors, Mitali Perkins. Since I hadn’t read a book in a while, I decided to order it. After a few weeks of reading, I was completely swept off my feet. Emily Webster, a high school graduate from the class of 1912, living in Deep Valley, Minnesota. Despite not setting foot in college, Emily still finds ways to make a big impact on her community.
Emily Webster was never considered to be like the other girls in the Deep Valley. As an orphan being raised by her old grandfather, she had multiple responsibilities and a high sense of maturity. Despite her potential, she decides not to attend college like her other friends to take care of her Grandfather. After noticing the vast amount of Syrians living in ethnic enclaves in the Deep Valley, she feels compelled to take action. She decides to befriend Kalil, a young Syrian American boy, who would sell frog legs to make money for his family. By befriending him, she gets to learn about their culture and lifestyle and how they have managed to create a home away from home. She finds a new love interest, a Social Studies Teacher at the local school. Together, they work to support the Syrian community to create something similar to Jane Addams’ Hull House, a settlement house for immigrants in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1889. Through her efforts, Emily plays a key role in helping the Syrian community when it comes to learning American culture, english, assimilation, government principles and creating a better life for themselves despite the racial discrimination and prejudice they face.
If you are into books that set place in the early 1900s, have multiple historical references or talk more about character development and friendship, this book is just for you. Happy Reading!
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