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Samantha Learns a Lesson: A School StorySusan S. Adler

Children's fiction

Samantha Learns a Lesson: A School Story

by Susan S. Adler

Book 2 of the American Girls: Samantha series

61 pages · First published 1986

In 1904, Samantha Parkington attends a private girls’ school while her friend Nellie, a servant girl from a working-class family, has far fewer educational opportunities. Samantha decides to teach Nellie to read, imagining that she will be the one giving the lessons. Her efforts expose differences in class, work, schooling, and what society calls progress, and Nellie has important things to teach Samantha in return. This American Girl school story uses their friendship to introduce young readers to inequality and changing ideas about education in the Progressive Era.

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Molasses Cinnamon Cocoa + Family Secret Sour

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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Class-based bullying and name-calling; poverty and child labor concerns; educational inequality; friendship conflict.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Molasses Cinnamon Cocoa

Velvety chocolate suits a lively, lighthearted reading mood.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Whisk the cocoa and sweetener into the hot liquid until smooth. Add remaining flavorings, heat until steaming, and pour into a mug. Add any listed topping.
  2. Garnish: As listed.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Family Secret Sour

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A warming pour with a sharp edge suits a lively, lighthearted reading mood.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. If using egg white, dry-shake first. Add ice and shake again, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
  2. Garnish: Lemon peel.
  3. Glassware: Rocks glass.

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