Eyebright

Eyebright by Susan Coolidge introduces twelve-year-old Isabella Bright, an imaginative heroine whose storytelling turns ordinary days into small adventures and quiet moral lessons. Set in the gentle rhythms of late 19th-century New England, this coming-of-age tale of teen/young adult fiction follows Bell as she navigates family changes, new friendships, and the charmingly plain-living communities she encounters—among them the Shakers—while learning how imagination can steady her through life’s little tempests. Coolidge’s prose balances warm humor and Victorian-era sensibility, portraying everyday responsibilities, kindness, and resilience without heavy-handed moralizing. Through episodic scenes and vivid domestic detail, Eyebright explores themes of creativity, empathy, and growing up amid pastoral landscapes and tight-knit social circles. Readers will recognize the same affectionate tone that made What Katy Did a classic, yet here the focus is on a quieter, more reflective heroine whose inner life drives the narrative. Ideal for listeners who love classic teen/young adult fiction, historical coming-of-age stories, or family-friendly classics brought to life in audio, Eyebright is a gentle, restorative listen that showcases Susan Coolidge’s gift for character and compassionate storytelling.