Meet Me in St. Louis by Sally Benson (1941)

"Meet me in St. Louis, Louis, meet me at the fair ..."

St. Louis--at the turn of the century, back in the age of innocence, when a date was called an engagement, a wolf was a lady-fusser, a long-distance phone call set the whole town talking, and the St. Louis World's Fair was the most glorious, exciting, glamorous thing that ever happened in the whole, wild world!

Here is the delightful, funny and wonderfully real story of the two pretty Smith girls, Rose and Esther, their beaux and romances, their troublesome small sisters, their young brother, Lon, a "Princeton man," and their nice parents, just as bewildered and bewildering as parents today. (from the back cover)

The Real Thing by Rosamond du Jardin (1956)

The summer after graduation from high school can be the shortest summer of a girl's life, especially when her favorite man is going to a different college.  Tobey Heydon found that September came too soon and that saying good-bye to Brose was much harder than she had expected.  Tobey and Brose had decided not to let their relationship stand in the way of new friendships at college, but their sensible decision didn't make the separation any easier.

College proved to be even more exciting than Tobey had foreseen.  Rush Week, classes and roommates kept her from thinking too much about Brose during the first hectic weeks.  The week ends were filled with sorority activities and dates with a variety of new and interesting college men.  But in spite of the fun of being a freshman, Tobey looked forward to vacations.

She missed her family--even her little sister Midge, who had stopped being a pest and started asking for Tobey's advice--and she missed Brose.  As the year went on, Tobey began to realize that the new friends and new experiences of her freshman year had not changed her mind about Brose or about their future. 

Readers of Practically Seventeen, Class Ring and Boy Trouble will welcome another story about Tobey, whose feelings and problems ring true to all girls.  (from the inside flap)

Double Wedding by Rosamond du Jardin (1959)

And in the Distance--Wedding Bells ...

Graduation seems terribly far away to Pam and Penny, as they start their second year of college, especially since they and their fiancés agree that graduation should come before marriage.

But college days are crowded days and many things happen to speed the waiting.  One of the most intriguing of them is Pam's growing friendship with lovely, unhappy Geneva Day, who had been so unfriendly during the twins' "showboat summer"!

Then sooner than Pam and Penny ever dreamed possible, it's commencement time--to be swiftly followed by rice and old shoes!  (from the back cover)

A Man for Marcy by Rosamond du Jardin (1954)

Trouble for the Senior Girls ...

Marcy Rhodes and some of her friends face the start of their senior year in high school with a sinking sensation.  Last year they had dated only senior boys, who are now off to college, and the girls find themselves high, dry, and desperate.

When a club called "The Widows" is organized, Marcy enthusiastically joins the "mourners," and by the time her erstwhile steady arrives home for Thanksgiving vacation, Marcy is wallowing in self-pity.  And her mood doesn't improve when she learns he has been dating at college!

Only the skillful intervention of Marcy's brother Ken averts disaster.  Thanks to him, and to Marcy's basic good sense, the balance of the year is gratifyingly different.  (from the back cover)

Double Feature by Rosamond du Jardin (1953)

Pam Does a Double Take

Pretty Pam Howard is still taken aback by her quiet twin Penny's new attitude of independence.  Until recently, Pam led the way, and Penny followed.  Now Penny wants them both to go to the college that her friend Mike plans to attend, but Pam is resisting--partly just for the sake of resisting.  Old field marshals don't give up easily!

Oddly enough, the ensuing fireworks strengthen the twin's relationship, and the college of Penny's choice proves an exciting place for Pam. also.  As a matter of fact, for a while, it's almost too exciting!  (from the back cover)

Senior Prom by Rosamond du Jardin (1957)

New Year, New Dear?

A New Year's Eve spent with Steve Judson convinces Marcy that from now on, she and Steve will be "just good friends."

Luckily, her last term in high school provides many distractions:  work on the school paper; the effort to get permission for a senior trip to Washington; a growing friendship with reliable Rick Whitney; and a date in prospect with exciting Bruce Douglas for the long-awaited Senior Prom.

The Marcy discovers that Bruce's plans for that gala event are not at all what she has in mind, and is she doesn't go with him, she can't go with Rick, because he's out dating someone else--at Marcy's unselfish insistence!  (from the back cover)

Boy Trouble by Rosamond du Jardin (1953)

An Embarrassment of Riches ...

All the fun of high school graduation and that special summer before college are heightened for Tobey Heydon when dashing Dick Allen adds his attentions to those she is receiving from her favorite young man, Brose Gilman.

And the plot really curdles (along with Brose's feelings), when Tobey meets a handsome artist who seems to be the object behind her non-objective paintings. 

But Brose gets his revenge, and it's not only sweet, it's hilarious.  (from the back cover)