Emily Dickinson

Having lived for sixteen years in Amherst, Massachusetts, and having explored the town records, letters, newspapers, and any other historical artifacts that would lend credibility to her work, Longsworth opens doors of polite intimacy that will intrigue the young adult reader. Even prior to the prologue, Longsworth introduces the theme of the book with one of Dickinson’s typically untitled poems: “This is my letter to the World/ That never wrote to Me—” Such an introduction may create an immediate bond of unity with young adults, who often feel isolated or overlooked. The inclusion of Dickinson’s works throughout the book provides concrete examples of her thoughts, moods, and talent. The young person who is interested in analyzing Dickinson’s style and structure will have opportunity to do so with the ample illustrations that are given. The novice at writing, however, will not be overwhelmed by Dickinson’s perplexing style, as Longsworth provides sufficient narrative surrounding each work.

To assist the young adult reader in visualizing the setting, Longsworth has included both geographic and historic positioning in the prologue. Beginning with those physical features such as rivers and mountains, which do not change in a few centuries, she moves on to agriculture, industry, and institutions of higher learning, which are subject to alteration. She includes the birth of the University of Massachusetts as Massachusetts Agricultural College and the inception of Amherst Col-lege. Such a chronology assists the reader in becoming a citizen of the story and sets the mood for the acceptance of what may have been considered simply history.

Appropriately for a young adult audience, Longsworth chooses to begin her story during the summer of Dickinson’s fourteenth year. As the reader meets Emily Elizabeth Dickinson, she is sweltering through yet another college commencement exercise and wondering how much longer the speeches will last. She would much prefer being outside celebrating with others on the common. Yet she continues to repeat the...