Aunt Jane's Nieces on Vacation

First published in 1912, this is the seventh in the ‘Aunt Jane’ series by prolific author L. Frank Baum. The three cousins, Louise, Elizabeth and Patsy are staying at their vacation home in upstate New York with their wealthy Uncle John. Bored of having nothing to do, the girls decide to write and publish their own local newspaper, full of local news and gossip. Along the way, the young women meet some puzzling local characters including a mysterious young amnesiac and a talented bohemian artist, and face some opposition from angry workers at a local paper mill.

Lyman Frank Baum (1856 – 1919) was a prolific and well-known American writer. He is best known for his famous series of modern fairy tales set in the imaginary land of Oz. The first of the books, ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ is widely considered to be the first true American fairy tale and was the basis for the hugely popular 1939 classic musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’ starring Judy Garland. Born and raised in New York, Baum held a range of jobs including as a poultry farmer, clerk, and storekeeper before pursuing his talent for writing at the age of 41. He wrote 14 novels in the Oz series, as well as over 40 other novels and over 80 short stories. He died in California in 1919.