A true story of the coming-of-age account of a mid-19th century schoolgirl, Laurentine, in Janesville, Wisconsin who became a teacher upon turning 15 years old and was a prolific writer and an insightful chronicler of change and growth in the United States. Keeping a diary, her "father confessor," provides us now with an engaging, detailed and unique views of family tensions, social relations, community debates, and the face of war -- the Civil War -- from one schoolgirl's perspective. Laurentine challenges us to reconsider what we think we know about 19th century females and their attitudes...

A true story of the coming-of-age account of a mid-19th century schoolgirl, Laurentine, in Janesville, Wisconsin who became a teacher upon turning 15 years old and was a prolific writer and an insightful chronicler of change and growth in the United States. Keeping a diary, her "father confessor," provides us now with an engaging, detailed and unique views of family tensions, social relations, community debates, and the face of war -- the Civil War -- from one schoolgirl's perspective. Laurentine challenges us to reconsider what we think we know about 19th century females and their attitudes...