Freckles

Gene Stratton-Porter set this beloved novel in the Limberlost, the great Indiana wetland she knew and studied firsthand. Freckles is a one-handed orphan, unsure of his own worth, who takes a lonely job guarding a valuable stand of timber against thieves. Fear of the swamp gives way to wonder as he learns its birds, moths, and moods, and his courage grows along with his knowledge. Into this world comes a girl he calls the Swamp Angel, and with her a chance at love and a family he never expected. Blending nature writing with a warm coming-of-age story, the book made the Limberlost famous and remains one of Stratton-Porter’s best-loved works. First published in 1904 and free to read in this PDF and EPUB edition.