At a glance
An Old-Fashioned Girl
Classic fiction
An Old-Fashioned Girl
368 pages · First published 1996
When fourteen-year-old Polly Milton visits her wealthy friend Fanny Shaw in Boston, her simple country upbringing seems hopelessly old-fashioned beside the elaborate clothes, fashionable amusements, and sophisticated manners of city society. Yet Polly's kindness, musical talent, and sincere affection gradually win over the Shaw family, including Fanny's mischievous brother Tom. Six years later, Polly returns to Boston to earn her living as a music teacher, discovering that her friends have changed and that her own heart is no longer immune to romance. When financial disaster threatens the Shaws' comfortable existence, Polly's practical abilities and steadfast friendship become more valuable than fashionable appearances. Warm, humorous, and gently romantic, this beloved coming-of-age classic is ideal for readers who enjoy memorable characters, nineteenth-century domestic life, enduring friendships, and stories that celebrate kindness over wealth and social status.
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Jump to the pours ↓Milton Mill Tea + Blackberry Old Fashioned
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No surprises at chapter twelve
Content notes
A seventeen-year-old secondary character survives a suicide attempt involving laudanum, with discussion of her despair and a farewell letter; Death and grief, including the loss of a young sibling and an elderly relative; Serious family financial hardship and poverty; Illness and a bicycle-related head injury; Tobacco smoking and references to alcohol consumption, including children becoming intoxicated at a party; Romantic disappointment and dated expectations regarding class and gender roles
Alcohol-Free Pour
Milton Mill Tea
A comforting cup of milk tea suits Polly Milton's simple tastes and old-fashioned hospitality, inviting readers to enjoy life's quieter pleasures among friends and family.
What you'll need
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.How to mix it
- Steep the tea and any herbs or whole spices in hot water according to the tea type, then strain. Stir in sweetener and juices. Serve hot.
- Garnish: Citrus peel, herb, or fruit from the recipe, if applicable.
- Glassware: Mug.
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Mug ↗Cocktail Pour · 21+
Blackberry Old Fashioned
For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
A classic Old Fashioned brightened with blackberry captures Polly's country roots and timeless charm, proving that a touch of sweetness and simplicity never goes out of style.
What you'll need
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1/4 oz blackberry syrup ↗
- 2 dashes aromatic bitters
- Ice
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How to mix it
- Stir bourbon, blackberry syrup, and bitters with ice for 20 seconds. Strain over one large ice cube.
- Garnish: Fresh blackberry and orange peel.
- Glassware: Rocks glass.
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