Daddy-Long-Legs

by Jean Webster · 1912

Jean Webster’s beloved epistolary novel follows the spirited orphan Jerusha “Judy” Abbott as she leaps from the bleak John Grier House into the world of a women’s college, thanks to a mysterious benefactor known only as “Daddy‑Long‑Legs.” In exchange for his generous tuition and monthly allowance, Judy must write him a letter each month, a promise that becomes the heart of the story. Through her candid, witty correspondence, readers watch Judy blossom—making friends, navigating classes and parties, and falling for the charming Jervis Pendleton—while she wrestles with curiosity about the identity of her unseen patron. A timeless coming‑of‑age tale, the novel blends humor, romance, and the triumph of self‑discovery, inviting readers to share in Judy’s journey from anonymity to confidence.