The patrons, staff and members of the afternoon book group at the West Branch have a wide variety of opinions about The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant. Some liked it, some hated it. Personally, I fell into the like category. Maybe it’s because I listened to it on audio and the narrator really nailed the “grandmother telling stories to her granddaughter” aspect. Maybe it’s because I a fascination with settlement houses (I like to think that today’s public libraries serve some of the same functions). Maybe it’s because I like stories of immigrants. Maybe it’s because I relish historical fiction where women buck familial or societal expectations. In any case, I found it to be an enjoyable story, with just the right amount of local, historical and sociological interest for a Ten Ways to Explore a Book post. So here we go:
- Addie relishes telling her life story to her granddaughter. Research tells us that knowing your family’s stories is important. Take the time to interview an older relative about his/her life. Storycorps can help you get started with questions to ask and tips to make the process smoother. You can also download their app to record your interview.
- Learn about settlement houses and how they influenced the lives of countless women, children and immigrants. For the definitive work on settlement houses, check out Jane Addams’ Twenty Years at Hull House.
- One of the major functions of settlement houses was to help immigrants learn English and improve their language skills. Miss Chevalier would be proud if you carried on this important work by volunteering to lead an English Conversation Circle at the library.
- The North End that Addie describes is a far cry from what we see today. Take a walk down the North End (no one will blame you if you stop for a cappuccino and cannoli) and try to imagine what it looked like in the early part of the last century when Addie lived there.
- Addie says, “How did I get to be the woman I am today? It started in that library, in the reading club. That’s where I started to be own person.” Reading and discussing books can be a powerful way to learn about ourselves. To tap into that power, consider joining one of the library’s book clubs.
- Memorizing poetry has gone a bit out of fashion, but there’s still something special about knowing a piece of literature “by heart.” Memorize the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and recite it to whoever will listen.
- Visit Rockport. Try to see the natural beauty through the eyes of a poor urban teenager.
- Channel your inner Filomena and take an art class. Check out the library events calendar to see if we’re offering a free art class in the near future.
- The characters in The Boston Girl lived and learned about the major social issues of their day: immigration, Prohibition, women’s suffrage, lynching, child labor. Do some research on a social issue (your choice) of our time. Discuss what you’ve learned with your friends over sandwiches and coffee (not tea or tea cakes).
- When you are ready to move on, Novelist can help you find lots of read-a-likes for The Boston Girl, but if you want my suggestion read (or re-read!), A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.