Cinder Pond

Cinder Pond, written by Carroll Watson Rankin and published in 1915, follows the life of a young girl named Jeanne who grows up in a colony of squatters living on a dock in northern Michigan. After being sent away to live with distant relatives who lack affection for her, Jeanne eventually returns to Cinder Pond, where she finds joy in caring for her step-siblings. The novel explores themes of family, belonging, and resilience, making it a notable work in early 20th-century children's literature.