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Audiobook editionPaperback · 6 × 9 in · printing soonHardcover · 6 × 9 in · printing soonAbout this book
A quick temper, a warm heart, and a knack for mischief can make even an ordinary day feel full.
In Carolyn Wells's Marjorie's Busy Days, a curious girl is rarely still for long. Home, school, and play give Marjorie plenty to explore, and small events matter deeply. Her lively spirit brings warmth and trouble in equal measure. A prank or a careless act can set off a chain of little difficulties that she must learn to face.
Friendship fills these busy days with shared secrets, plans, arguments, and the chance to make up again. As Marjorie grows, patience and kindness take practice rather than arriving all at once. This gentle children's classic looks at girlhood through everyday moments, offering a picture of childhood in a time long past without rushing toward high drama.
What you’ll discover
- A girl full of spirit Meet Marjorie, whose curiosity and warm heart sit alongside a temper quick to flare.
- Friendships that take practice Follow the small joys and strains of sharing secrets, making plans, and making up.
- Mischief with small consequences See how a prank or careless choice brings troubles that ask Marjorie to think.
- Growing one day at a time Discover a view of growing up built from patience, kindness, and everyday choices.
- An earlier world of childhood Step into home, school, and play, where ordinary happenings carry real weight.
Who will love it
This book is for readers who love warm family stories, lively make-believe and pranks that end in laughter. It also suits parents and grandparents who like to read aloud.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Imagination turns disappointment into play
- Good intentions run ahead of sense
- An honest mistake needs a lesson
- A witch's hat crowds out thought
- Other people's fright changes the joke
- A useful aim needs thoughtful methods
- Family outings mix pleasure with limits
- Family warmth gives children room
- Correction leaves room to try again
Who’s who
- Marjorie MaynardA twelve-year-old nicknamed Midget or Mopsy, she is warm, quick-witted and always sorry afterward. She wants to be good, but ideas keep running away with her.
- Kingdon MaynardMarjorie's older brother, called King, is the inventive president of the Jinks Club. He loves quick action and big plans.
- Kitty MaynardMarjorie's younger sister has a flair for drama and fine manners. She cares about clothes and loves company.
- Rosy PosyThe Maynards' baby sister, whose real name is Rosamond. She carries her teddy bear Boffin everywhere and thinks very well of herself.
- Mr. MaynardThe children's father sets aside one Saturday a month, called Ourday, to spend with them, and he guides them with jokes and patience.
- Mrs. MaynardThe children's mother handles their escapades with humour and firmness, and she wants Marjorie to learn good judgment.
- Gladys FultonMarjorie's closest friend lives across the street. She is gentler than Marjorie, but she loves mischief and always follows Marjorie's lead.
- Molly MossA daring friend from Grandma Sherwood's summers who visits at Thanksgiving. She dreams up plays and games and joins every adventure.
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Marjorie's Busy Days
by Carolyn Wells · 1908
Four children shipwreck on their own lawn and wait for rescue, and the butcher's wagon sails by.
Easy read2–5 hours to read20 languages
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“Now this has really been the very best Ourday we ever had!”
In short
What happens when four children are shipwrecked on their own front lawn, and the only rescue on offer is the butcher's wagon? That is how Marjorie's Busy Days begins.
Marjorie's Busy Days at a glance
- Reading time
- About 3 h 30 min2 h 45 min fast, 4 h 10 min slow
- Length
- 50,200 words
- Library level
- Easy short sentences, plain words
- First published
- 1908by Carolyn Wells
Reading time at 238 words a minute (fast 300, slow 200). How long the classics take to read · Updated
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Four children turn their lawn into an ocean
The book opens with a game called Shipwreck. The four Maynard children climb into a big wooden swing that serves as an ocean liner, with Kingdon as the captain. Marjorie has already carried a basket of food to a grassy knoll under a maple tree, and that knoll is the desert island.
The children swim across the grass, fight imaginary tigers and raise a white distress flag torn from Marjorie's petticoat. Rescue arrives in the butcher's wagon, driven by a young man who does not know them. Marjorie and Kitty faint dramatically, and Rosy Posy tells him to save Buffalo Bill first. He laughs and carries the whole crew to the back door.
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Which edition is right for me
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Details
- First published
- 1908
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 4 h 0 min
- Level
- Easy read
Cite this edition
Wells, Carolyn. Marjorie's Busy Days. Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/products/marjories-busy-days.
Wells, C. (2026). Marjorie's busy days. Library of Alexandria. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/marjories-busy-days (Original work published 1908)
Wells, Carolyn. Marjorie's Busy Days. Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/marjories-busy-days.
@book{wells2026marjories,
author = {Wells, Carolyn},
title = {Marjorie's Busy Days},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/products/marjories-busy-days},
note = {First published 1908}
}
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What is Marjorie's Busy Days about?
It follows twelve-year-old Marjorie Maynard through a season of fun and scrapes in a small American town. Each chapter is a new episode, from make-believe games and school trouble to a Halloween party, a charity bazaar and family outings.
What is an Ourday in Marjorie's Busy Days?
Ourday is Mr. Maynard's tradition of giving one Saturday each month to his children. They take turns choosing the activity, and he joins in with games and stories. It shows how close the Maynard family is.
Who are the main characters in Marjorie's Busy Days?
The Maynard children are Marjorie, her older brother Kingdon, her sister Kitty and baby Rosy Posy. Their parents guide them, and friends such as Gladys Fulton, Dick Fulton, Dorothy Adams and Molly Moss join the fun.
The author
Carolyn Wells
1862–1942 · American humorist and mystery writer
Carolyn Wells (1862–1942) was an American writer born in Rahway, New Jersey. She later lived in New York City, where she died. She wrote poetry, humor, children's books, and mystery novels. Her works include the Patty and Marjorie series, The Clue (1909), and The Gold Bag (1911).
“Now this has really been the very best Ourday we ever had!”
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