The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge
by Lilian Garis
My sister-in-law, in downsizing, came across this book with my name written in the front. I was delighted when she offered to mail it to me. I remember buying it in sixth grade when the teachers opened up the book room and held a sale. From the markings, it appears that the local library had donated books to the school. This book with a copyright date of 1922 seems to have been formally checked out many times, but then informally checked out at the school in the 1948-1952 time period. I was born in 1952, so this book was sitting on a shelf, unread, for about 12 years before it landed in my hands and then literally a lifetime before it made it back to me.
The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge is a delightful read. It is the tale of pretty little Nora, pampered with the best and most delicate of clothes. She has a vivid imagination that confounds most adults. She is sent for a month’s vacation with Jerry and Ted (Theodora). Jerry is a surveyor and Ted specializes in wildlife. They spend their days exploring the terrain around the house where they live. There are a group of Girl Scouts camping in their area, with khaki uniforms, rules, and lots of freedom. The Chickadee Patrol adopts Nora, and she discovers that there are many benefits to their way of passing the summer.
I would love to spend time with Jerry and Ted who are fun loving and accepting. The Girl Scouts are quite individualistic and indulge in friendly teasing. A mystery arises when Nora in her wanderings discovers Lucia, a frightened little girl and resolves to help her, leaving food for her until one day she disappears. Another mystery revolves around Vita, the Italian cook in the household. She engages in odd conversations with Nora about the attic as if she is trying to scare Nora.
I enjoyed the older but not stilted style of writing. The characters and narrator have a broader vocabulary than we are used to in children’s books, but it is quite understandable even to the modern ear. The first chapter is confusing because Nora wants to rename her hosts. They take it in good stride and then the story is in full swing. Cap (Captain) is a canine character who can be relied on to judge people well and to take care of Nora as she explores the woods.
Lilian Garis (20 October 1873 – 19 April 1954) was a prolific American writer of juvenile fiction. She authored hundreds of books from 1915 to the early 1940’s. She was a newspaper reporter when she met her future husband Howard Garis, also a reporter. He was as prolific as his wife as he wrote the Uncle Wiggily Longears series. These stories first appeared daily in the newspaper, every day except Sunday, for almost 40 years—11,000 stories which were nationally syndicated and compiled into books. Both authors’ books have been reprinted over the years giving testament to their appeal and quality of writing.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Children’s Fiction
Notes: Part of the Girl Scout Series, but is a standalone. The intended audience is probably ages 8-12, but it would be fun for girls of all ages
Publication: 1922—Cupples and Leon Company
Memorable Lines:
If one could look pretty after a ducking in a strange lake, Nora did. Her curls liked nothing better, and her cheeks pinked up prettily, while her eyes—they were as blue as the violets that listened in the underbrush.
The day brings wisdom, and when Nora again dressed in the borrowed khaki suit (she had suddenly taken a dislike to her own fancy dresses), the glorious sunshine of the bright summer morning mocked the terrors of the night.
Nora was disconsolate. For two days the dainties left for Lucia had remained untouched. The bread box which Vita had given her to play with, and into which the food was deposited for Lucia, stood upon the tree stump with the sliced lamb, the piece of cake, and the big orange which comprised the last installment offered by the sympathetic Nora, just as she had left it.
I love rediscovering old favorites.
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Yes, it was like rediscovering an old friend.
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😊
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👍📚
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What fun to have your old book back Linda! It has quite a history, read and enjoyed by many!
Jenna
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Yes, the history of my personal copy along with the author’s writing journey made it all come alive.
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How wonderful that The Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge found you again, Linda. I owned at least several old books as a child. I wish I’d kept them! Alas, we moved too many times. It seemed impractical to be lugging them with us each time. I was so surpised that Lilian Garis was married to the creator of Uncle Wiggly! We had a picture book including some of his stories when our older son was young. That’s a book we did save and move with us! Good thing too, because it turned out to be one of his favorites as he looked back on childhood. We were able to give it to him to share with his two girls. Books do become like old friends, don’t they?
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Nancy, your story makes a wonderful addition to mine! I understand about books and moving; that happened to me too. There are some that I haven’t missed, but some I have. I remember that my family had an Uncle Wiggily book when I was growing up. I remember the cover vividly. It was like an old friend. It makes me happy that some publishers are reprinting them.
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Our copy was probably published in the 1970s–don’t know if they’re still being published or not.
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They are, Nancy! I checked it out on Amazon. There are some publishers who think they are works that should not be forgotten. Some are also available as free digital downloads on Gutenberg Press.
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OMG! The memories came flooding back to me seeing this post. How exciting for you to have this book back again. I loved Brownie’s and Girl Scouts as a child. My mom was the leader and we did so many fun things. I still have my sash filled with badges. Thank you Linda!
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I’m glad this took you on a walk down memory lane. I was a Scout from Brownie’s through Cadette, and I really enjoyed the activities too.
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A piece of history. I love it, Linda. Tangentially related, my cat is Nora, and my Aunt Nora Linda (she went by Linda) passed away this week. Two wonderful Noras.
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I am sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing your two Nora’s with me.
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Thank you, Linda.
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What a treasure to have returned to you, Linda.
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That’s the way I felt about it! It made me feel like an archivist/detective for a day.
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Oh, I love everything about this post! What a wonderful story to be reunited with.
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I’m glad this was a happy post! I think bookish people understand my fascination with this old book and its history! You qualify!
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