Polly's First Year at Boarding School

Polly, a lively thirteen‑year‑old from a quiet New England village, steps off the carriage onto the bustling hilltop of Seddon Hall, a boarding school alive with chatter, laughter, and the rustle of skirts. Welcomed by the warm principal and a senior student who instantly becomes her sister‑guide, she is led through grand staircases, the mysterious “Bridge of Sighs,” and corridors named after college traditions, feeling a mix of nervous excitement and wonder.

The novel contrasts her orderly, austere past with Aunt Hannah to the vibrant, sometimes chaotic rhythm of school life, where friendships blossom over shared meals and secret jokes. Polly learns the rules of etiquette, discovers the thrill of independence, and begins to find her own voice amid gentle humor and heartfelt moments. Listeners will share her first‑day nerves and the comforting reassurance of kind mentors, making this a warm and inviting coming‑of‑age tale.