Eight Cousins, or, The Aunt Hill

278 pp. "Eight Cousins, or The Aunt-Hill was published in 1875 by American novelist Louisa May Alcott. It is the story of Rose Campbell, a lonely and sickly girl who has been recently orphaned and must now reside with her maiden aunts, the matriarchs of her wealthy Boston family. When Rose's guardian, Uncle Alec, returns from abroad, he takes over her care. Through his unorthodox theories about child-rearing, and as she finds her place in her family of seven boy cousins and numerous aunts and uncles, Rose becomes happier and healthier. She also makes friends with Phebe, her aunts' young housemaid, whose cheerful attitude in the face of poverty helps Rose to understand and value her own good fortune. Each chapter describes an adventure in Rose's life, as she learns to help herself and others make good choices. Rose must begin to define for herself her role as a young woman in her family, as the only girl in her generation, and as an heiress in society, as she becomes acquainted with other daughters of Boston's elite families." -- Wikipedia