A Pebble and a Pen by Joan Donaldson

Summary

In 1853, fifteen-year-old Matty flees from a marriage proposal to an older man with seven children. Her desire to study Spencerian Script leads Mattie to Mr. Spencer’s famous penmanship school near Lake Erie. While Mattie navigates many challenges to prove herself to the Master Penman and the classroom of young men, she also meets Phineas, a fellow student who believes in her talents. Despite several setbacks, Mattie earns Mr. Spencer’s respect and an offer to continue her education at his new business college in Pittsburgh. But a letter from her brother compels Mattie to travel home and discovers she can bring peace to her family. Soon, Mattie arrives at the business college and finds more than job training.

Reviews

Booklist

It’s 1853, and 14-year-old Matty wants to study penmanship, earn a good living, and become independent. Instead, she faces a prearranged marriage and a life of endless farm drudgery. With her brother’s help, she runs away to Mr. Spencer’s famous Ohio penmanship school. However, becoming a master penman isn’t easy; Matty must overcome bias in her all-male class, as well as unresolved issues of her past. This historical, faith-based novel offers a fast, easy read, a notably determined protagonist, and a glimpse at the intricate, often overlooked art of Victorian penmanship, in text and visual examples. While Donaldson’s advocation of temperance and faith in God isn’t subtle, her themes of having patience and perseverance in learning new skills, and faith in oneself, are good lessons for any reader. A romantic, heartfelt story with abundant historical detail to engage fans of the genre. An author’s note provides background on real-life master penman Platts Rogers Spencer, includes bibliography.  Shellie Rosenfeld

Open Library

In 1853, fourteen-year-old Matty runs away from the drudgery of farm life to join Mr. Spencer’s famous penmanship school and finds she must meet many challenges to make her way as a female penman.

Book Club Questions for A Pebble and A Pen

  • Have you ever experienced a situation where men outnumbered the women? Or that you were the only female employee? What did you do? What did you learn?
  • Today, few schools dedicate many hours to learning good cursive handwriting. Do you think children should “take pride in penmanship”? If so, why? Or why not?
  • Mr. Spencer credited his wife with promoting the ideas of creating copy books and starting a school. Do you think wives often play an important role in nurturing their husband’s creativity?
  • Did you or someone you know go to a business college? Why would a student choose a business college instead of majoring in business at a university?
  • Mr. Spencer believed in students studying practical skills. How would this belief tie in with the current trend to encourage young people to attend technical programs to learn specific skills such as plumbing or carpentry?
  • Today most people type letters on a computer. What are your thoughts about sending a friend a handwritten note? Do you like receiving them?