In the seventh instalment of the âPatty Fairfieldâ series of childrenâs novels, Patty is still in Europe and is now touring Italy with her family. Patty makes plenty of new friends along the way and they explore Rome, Florence, and Venice together â forming a group called âThe Wonderersâ, whose purpose is to wander and wonder. A charming book from prolific author Carolyn Wells, and a fascinating glimpse of Italy shortly after the turn of the century.
Carolyn Wells (1862-1942) was a prolific American novelist and poet, best known for her childrenâs literature, mystery novels and humorous verse. Following school in New Jersey, Wells worked as a librarian where she developed her love of reading. It was during 1896, while working at the library that Wells' first book âAt the Sign of the Sphinxâ was published. From 1900 she dedicated herself to her literary career, writing over 170 novels in total across a range of genres. Some of her most loved works include the âPatty Fairfieldâ and âMarjorie Maynardâ series for girls, as well as the âFleming Stoneâ mystery series for adults. Wells is also well-known for her humorous nonsense verse, and was a frequent contributor of verse to magazines. She published an autobiography âThe Rest of my Lifeâ in 1937. Wells died in New York City in 1942.