Eight cousins

Eight Cousins tells of Rose Campbell, a young orphan who comes to live with her wealthy relatives, the Campbell clan, after her father's death. She is sickly and shy, and surrounded by seven boy cousins and several aunts with firm opinions. Her uncle Alec, a doctor, takes charge of her upbringing and encourages fresh air, exercise, useful work and independence. The story is lively and humorous, and it presents unusual ideas for its time about health and the education of girls. It is followed by Rose in Bloom.