When Molly Was a Harvey Girl

Reach for this book when your child is expressing a strong desire for independence or feeling the 'growing pains' of wanting more responsibility than they currently have. It is a perfect fit for the middle-schooler who feels confined by family expectations and dreams of proving their capability in the adult world. The story follows young Molly as she leaves home in the early 1900s to become a Harvey Girl, a waitress at the famous Santa Fe Railroad restaurants. Through Molly's journey, the book explores themes of self-reliance, the dignity of hard work, and the courage required to start over in a strange place. It is a gentle yet empowering historical fiction that validates a child's ambition while realistically portraying the challenges of entering a professional environment for the first time.