Kitty Maynard : or, "To obey is better than sacrifice."

Kitty Maynard is a lively thirteen‑year‑old whose imagination outpaces the modest expectations of the adults around her. Sent from her bustling New York home to stay with Aunt Sarah in the country, she trades the noise of the city for fields, woods, and the watchful eye of Huldah, the stern governess who insists on proper manners and diligent study. Kitty’s quick wit and fierce independence make every instruction feel like a challenge, and her refusal to be tucked into a district school sparks lively debate about what truly constitutes learning.

Through spirited banter and earnest attempts at sewing, Kitty begins to discover the rhythms of rural life while wrestling with the constant pull between obedience and personal desire. The early chapters paint a vivid picture of a bright, headstrong girl navigating family duty, gentle mentorship, and the promise of new experiences just beyond the garden gate. Listeners will be drawn into her world of freckled summers and heartfelt questions about the balance of duty and self‑discovery.