Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen
The Story of Six Novels, Three Notebooks, a Writing Box, and One Clever Girl
What is this book about?
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen is one of our greatest writers.
But before that, she was just an ordinary girl.
In fact, young Jane was a bit quiet and shy; if you had met her back then, you might not have noticed her at all. But she would have noticed you.
Jane watched and listened to all the things people around her did and said, and locked those observations away for safekeeping.
Jane also loved to read. She devoured everything in her father’s massive library and before long, she began creating her own stories. In her time, the most popular books were grand adventures and romances, but Jane wanted to go her own way…and went on to invent an entirely new kind of novel.
Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen includes a timeline and quotes from Austen’s most popular novels.
Parents and grandparents, as well as teachers and librarians, will enjoy introducing children to Jane Austen through this accessible, beautifully packaged picture book.
“A charming account of pride and persistence.” (Publishers Weekly)
Resources
“This is an up-close introduction to Austen … [and] a story of a girl’s empowerment.” (Booklist)
“Gentle, charming, and informative, this welcome addition to any library should plant a seed for later enjoyment of Austen’s work.” (School Library Journal)
“Hopkinson’s light, conversational tone and obvious appreciation for her subject combine with Qin’s lively ink-and-watercolor illustrations to create an engaging portrait of this talented writer. A perfectly pitched celebration of an esteemed author.” (Kirkus Reviews)
“A lively take on a woman who, despite publishing conventions that favored male writers, refused to let her authorial voice remain mute. This manages to successfully introduce Austen’s characteristic wit and social commentary to an audience who would otherwise be too young to digest the original works. A delightful read.” (Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
author, Deborah Hopkinson
illustrator, Qin Leng
Balzer & Bray
HarperCollins
ages 4 and up, 2018
ISBN 978–0062373304