About the Emily Books
The Three Emily Books
- Emily of New Moon
- Emily Climbs
- Emily's Quest
Emily Byrd Starr had lived a peaceful, carefree existence with her father since her mother died when Emily was four.
However, all that changes with the death of her father when she is eight. Emily is sent to
live with her relatives on her mother's side of the family, the Murrays of Blair Water, a clan known
for their pride. Emily moves in at the old Murray homestead, New Moon, with her aunts, softhearted
Laura and tyrannical Elizabeth. Emily is often at odds with the old-fashioned Elizabeth, who strongly
disapproves of Emily's desire to write. But Emily comes to love New Moon as she and Aunt Elizabeth come
to understand one another more. Emily also makes new friends and companions: Cousin Jimmy, who writes
poetry; wild Ilse Burnley, who wants to become an actress; the mysterious Dean Priest; impudent and
irreverent Perry; and the talented Teddy, who wants to become an artist. Emily works on her writing
under the tutelage of her schoolteacher, Mr. Carpenter. In Emily Climbs, she gets the opportunity to
go to Shrewsbury High School and perfect her writing skills, a rare chance for a young woman in the rural
Canada of Emily's day. However, there are two stipulations: Aunt Elizabeth made her promise she won't write
any fiction, and she must live with her Aunt Ruth, who proves to be more daunting and Murray-like
than Aunt Elizabeth herself! She has several poems and essays published, but has to deal with
more than her share of rejection. At the end of her three years at Shrewsbury, Emily has matured and
is ready to pursue her dream of a literary career.
In Emily's Quest, Emily stays at New Moon working on her writing. Teddy, Perry, and Ilse have all left
to follow their own dreams. Although happy to be at New Moon and writing, Emily feels alone and left behind, as Dean is her only friend
still in Blair Water, and she is still uncertain of Teddy's feelings toward her - and her feelings toward Teddy.
Back to the main page
