The Girl from Arizona

The Girl from Arizona transports us to the world of Marjorie Graham, a young lady brought up in rural Arizona amid the Old West culture, and sent to live in a city.

This heart-warming classic by Nina Rhoades emphasizes the virtue of family values and togetherness at a time when the world is beginning to rapidly change. At the dawn of the 20th century things such as electricity and automobiles are appearing, as the culture of the Old West departs and the world embraces modernity.

Amidst this atmosphere of change, Marjorie Graham is growing up. Close to her parents and aunts, the family live in rural Arizona and manage a cattle ranch, until it is decided that Marjorie will go to stay with her Aunt Julia - who had long departed the country to live in the urbanized and modern locale of Albany, New York.

On arriving, Marjorie finds it difficult to adapt to the culture of city life. Her cousin Elsie, who is of a similar age, is fashion conscious and has a modern outlook. She is taken aback at the homely country customs which Marjorie expresses, and positively horrified when Marjorie says she'd like to wear a flannel shirt and trousers. Furthermore, Marjorie finds herself easily lost in the complex web of avenues and streets; she must rely on the kindness of strangers even to find her way.

The book sways between a conventional narrative with dialogue, and letters which Marjorie writes to her family back home in Arizona. We see that Marjorie has a truly kind and thoughtful soul, and considers family to be of utmost importance. Will Marjorie be a success in the city? Will her good heart win the day after all?