Charming

What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge is the most charming historical YA novel. It was written in the 1870’s but has withstood the test of time. It is the first book in the Carr Family series.

I had heard of What Katy Did but never actually read it in my childhood – I have been missing out. It is delightful. We hear about the everyday life of twelve year old Katy and her younger siblings. The book is set in a far simpler time where a child’s imagination was fertile. There was much love and fun to be had.

Katy is full of energy. Her enthusiasm for life often gets her into scrapes. Enforced rest is a great teacher as Katy learns graciously not only from books but lessons from God.

What Katy Did is a totally charming, good natured read where the reader longs for those high energy, innocent childhood days.

JULIA WILSON