Dora

Johanna Spyri

Summary

In her poignant novel "Dora," Johanna Spyri delves into the complexities of childhood and the bittersweet journey of growing up. Set against the picturesque Swiss landscape, the narrative follows the titular character, Dora, as she navigates her way through the trials of adolescence, familial expectations, and the exploration of personal identity. Spyri's lyrical prose and rich character development highlight themes of innocence, resilience, and the inescapable passage of time, inviting readers to reflect on the universal experiences of youth and the formative events that shape one's future. The novel embodies a nostalgic tone reminiscent of Swiss Romanticism while addressing broader social issues related to gender and class during the late 19th century. Johanna Spyri, renowned for her classic work "Heidi," drew from her experiences growing up in rural Switzerland to create relatable characters and settings. Her deep empathy for children and her keen observations of their psychological landscapes allowed her to craft narratives that resonate with both young readers and adults alike. Spyri's commitment to portraying the dignity of her characters amid life's adversities is evident in "Dora," a testament to her understanding of the emotional struggles that accompany maturation. I highly recommend "Dora" to readers seeking a thoughtful exploration of childhood and its myriad challenges. Spyri's evocative storytelling not only charms but also provokes important questions about identity and belonging. This beautifully crafted novel not only entertains but also stimulates meaningful reflection, making it a worthy addition to the literary canon.

Available since: 03/02/2025.

Print length: 190 pages.

Other books that might interest you

In the Spirit of a Dream: 13...

Aida Salazar

Celebratory, triumphant, and inspiring, In the Spirit of a Dream is a tribute to American immigrants of color, written in poems and illustrated by 13 first- and second-generation immigrant artists.In the spirit of a dream, many immigrants of color set out across continents, oceans, and borders, travelling to the United States in pursuit of opportunity. This book is a celebration of 13 American immigrants of color, from world-famous to local heroes, politicians, surgeons, athletes, activists and more.The biographies include engineer and astronaut Anousheh Ansari; Paralympic athlete and entrepreneur Alejandro Albor; surgeon Ayub Khan Ommaya; jazz musician Candido Camero; dancer Conceicao Damasceno; Sriracha inventor and businessman David Tran; basketball player Dikembe Mutombo; author Edwidge Danticat; politician Ilhan Omar; comic artist Jim Lee; environmental activist Juana Guttierez; cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and the Undocupoets, a group of undocumented poets.These stories are told in poems by Aida Salazar and artwork by Alina Chau, Bianca Diaz, Dion MBD, Fahmida Azim, Gaby D'Alessandro, Jose Ramirez, Ken Daley, Nicole Xu, Paulo D. Campos, Rahele Jomepour Bell, Tracy Guiteau, Vanessa Flores, and Yasmin Imamura.

Show book

Before Eden

Arthur C. Clarke

Before Eden by Arthur C. Clarke - Venus wasn't the virgin planet Mankind had always assumed. It was simply that we got there too soon.
"I guess," said Jerry Garfield, cutting the engines, "that this is the end of the line." With a gentle sigh, the underjets faded out; deprived of its air-cushion, the scout-car Rambling Wreck settled down upon the twisted rocks of the Hesperian Plateau.
There was no way forward; neither on its jets nor its tractors could S.5—to give the Wreck its official name—scale the escarpment that lay ahead. The South Pole of Venus was only thirty miles away, but it might have , been on another planet. They would have to turn back, and retrace their four-hundred-mile journey through this nightmare landscape.
The weather was fantastically clear, with visibility of almost a thousand yards. There was no need of radar to show the cliffs ahead; for once, the naked eye was good enough. The green auroral light, filtering down through clouds that had rolled unbroken for a million years, gave the scene an underwater appearance, and the way in which all distant objects blurred into the haze added to the impression. Sometimes it was easy to believe that they were driving across a shallow sea-bed, and more than once Jerry had imagined that he had seen fish floating overhead.
"Shall I call the ship, and say we’re turning back?" he asked. "Not yet," said Dr. Hutchins. "I want to think."
Jerry shot an appealing glance at the third member of the crew, but found no moral support there. Coleman was just as bad; although the two men argued furiously half the time, they were both scientists and therefore, in the opinion of a hard-headed engineer-navigator, not wholly responsible citizens. If Cole and Hutch had bright ideas about going forward, there was nothing he could do except register a protest.

Show book

Summer Pony

Jean Slaughter Doty

Ginny has always dreamed of having her very own pony, so when her parents agree to rent her a pony for the summer, Ginny is thrilled! But when Mokey arrives, she is shaggy, dirty, and half-starved—not at all what Ginny had in mind. Can Ginny still have the summer of her dreams?

Show book

Introducing Colors - Conhecendo...

Amelia Rasen

Do you want your kids to learn Portuguese? Look no further! This English-Portuguese bilingual book will definitely entertain and teach your kids Portuguese! 
Your kids will learn about colors! And with frequent reading, they will be fluent in no time! 
6 books available in the series. 
Introducing the Body 
Introducing Numbers 
Introducing Colors 
Introducing Shapes 
Introducing Animals and Sounds 
Being a Good Friend

Show book

Derelict - A Ghost Ship Drifting...

Alan E. Nourse

Derelict by Alan E. Nourse - What was the mystery of this great ship from the dark, deep reaches of space? For, within its death-filled chambers—was the avenue of life! 
John Sabo, second in command, sat bolt upright in his bunk, blinking wide-eyed at the darkness. The alarm was screaming through the Satellite Station, its harsh, nerve-jarring clang echoing and re-echoing down the metal corridors, penetrating every nook and crevice and cubicle of the lonely outpost, screaming incredibly through the dark sleeping period. Sabo shook the sleep from his eyes, and then a panic of fear burst into his mind. The alarm! Tumbling out of his bunk in the darkness, he crashed into the far bulkhead, staggering giddily in the impossible gravity as he pawed about for his magnaboots, his heart pounding fiercely in his ears. The alarm! Impossible, after so long, after these long months of bitter waiting— In the corridor he collided with Brownie, looking like a frightened gnome, and he growled profanity as he raced down the corridor for the Central Control. 
Frightened eyes turned to him as he blinked at the bright lights of the room. The voices rose in a confused, anxious babble, and he shook his head and swore, and ploughed through them toward the screen. "Kill that damned alarm!" he roared, blinking as he counted faces. "Somebody get the Skipper out of his sack, pronto, and stop that clatter! What's the trouble?"

Show book

Pray First for Young Readers -...

Chris Hodges

This fun guidebook on prayer will have children and tweens turning to God before going to anyone or anything else! In Pray First for Young Readers, bestselling author and pastor Chris Hodges shows that praying is simple yet powerful when you know God as your Friend, Father, and Savior. 
The practice of prayer can be intimidating at any age, but Pray First for Young Readers shows how to pray and what to pray about, gives your children the tools they need to add prayer to their daily routine, and reveals how a close relationship with Jesus is what leads to a lifelong faith. Adapted from Chris’s popular book Pray First, this resource will give kids the confidence they need to go to God for every need, to intercede for others, to praise Him, and so much more. 
This prayer toolbox for ages 8 to 12 includes the following:Biblical models of prayerPrayer promptsTips for praying throughout the dayFun facts, challenges, and other activitiesMindful self-reflection questionsPrayers from throughout history 
  
Show kids that prayer is not an item on a to-do list but a very real connection to our all-powerful God, who longs to hear from us! 
Reflection questions and a 21-day guide for prayer and fasting can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download.

Show book