Books in Library

Sarah Orne Jewett did not enjoy systematic study. She was, however, a passionate learner, who preferred to educate herself through reading, rather than the classroom (though she did attend and graduate from Berwick Academy, a highly ranked school). She spent one summer learning to read French so that she could read George Sand in her native language.

Overall, the Jewetts were readers and they enjoyed a family tradition of reading aloud in the evening.

Sarah’s step-grandmother, Eliza Sleeper Jewett, suffered from poor eyesight and so was unable to read. Growing up, Sarah would visit her grandmother in the house and read to her. The two shared a special bond that may have been made closer by their love of books.