Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Daddy-Long-Legs” by Jean Webster follows Jerusha Abbott, an orphan given the chance to attend college thanks to an anonymous benefactor she calls “Daddy-Long-Legs.” The story unfolds through letters Jerusha writes to him, sharing her journey of personal growth, her aspirations, and her imaginative spirit. Starting as the oldest orphan at the John Grier Home, she feels both anxious and excited upon learning she’s been selected for college after a meeting with a Trustee. Her letters reflect her college experiences, friendships, and emerging identity as she steps away from her past, offering warmth, humor, and insight into themes of class and gender in early 20th-century America.