a northern light by jennifer donnelly summary

She researched the circumstances and found that letters between Grace Brown and her lover were discovered after her death, read in court and led to the lover’s conviction and execution.

You might be interest to know that the author, Jennifer Donnelly was fascinated by the true story of the real Grace Brown. But, the story stayed with me, is still with me. I had to force myself to take a break from reading to do normal things like eat and sleep. So many passages were so beautiful I had to read them again. There are so many reference to classics literature. I loved the way Mattie and her teacher loved literature.All issues were covered subtly as part of the story. I loved the issues raised in the book: racism, feminism, class, the responsibilities of family members to each other, and more.I want to known how they are doing now after several years. But I also loved her friend Weaver, her teacher Miss Wilcox, and many of the less prominent characters. She has to weigh the value of staying with the promises she made, or doing what is right for everyone she loves as well as for herself. Taking a good look at Grace’s life, helps Mattie look clearly at her own. Instead of burning the letters, Mattie reads them and realizes why Grace’s drowning was not an accident. Over the course of the summer, so many things happened. Later that day the guest, Grace Brown, accidently drowned, only it wasn’t an accident. One of the guests gives Mattie some letters and makes her promise to burn them. And then there is the attentions of a very handsome neighbor.ĭesperate for money, Mattie is allowed to take a summer job at a local resort hotel.

Mattie also promised her mother she would stay and help run the farm and raise her sisters. Money for a train ticket and books is one. The problems of fulfilling that dream are many. Mattie dreams of going to college and has actually been accepted on full scholarship to Barnard. She loves books and words and writing stories.

Her mother has died, the oldest son ran away and their father is barely making it on the farm. Mattie Cokey is the oldest of four daughters on a farm in the North Woods of New York in 1906.

Reason For Reading: My blogging friend Jill strongly recommended it.Īwards Won: The Carnegie Medal, Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and a Printz Award Honor BookĪ Northern Light is basically the story of two young women, one fictional and the other was real.

A northern light by jennifer donnelly summary