This series by Arleta Richardson is based on her grandmother’s reminiscences about life growing up on a farm in Michigan during the 1800s.  The grandmother, Mabel O’Dell, has two older brothers and a best friend, named Sarah Jane.

Most of the books in the series are collections of short stories, although later books are in novel form.  The short stories are typically funny, slice-of-life family stories that teach a lesson.  The lessons are often Christian-based, and some feature Biblical quotes.

In the later books, Mabel grows up, finishes school, becomes a teacher, and later, gets married.  Characters who Mabel meets reappear throughout the series.

Some of the later titles in the series were altered in reprintings.  The earlier titles often included Mabel’s age in the story, such as Sixteen and Away from Home.  In later reprintings, the titles were shortened to eliminate Mabel’s age, like Away Home Home. Different printings of the series also use different illustrations.

Books in the series are available for borrow and read for free online through Internet Archive.

Books in the Series:

In Grandma’s Attic (1974)

A collection of short stories.  Many of them start off with Grandma telling her granddaughter about some object she owns from the past.

More Stories from Grandma’s Attic (1979)

Another collection of short stories about life in the 1800s and mistakes that children make.

Still More Stories from Grandma’s Attic (1980)

Another collection of short stories about life in the 1800s and the escapades of best friends.

Treasures from Grandma’s Attic (1984)

Another collection of short stories. Also called Treasures from Grandma.

Away From Home (1985)

Also called Sixteen and Away from Home.  Mabel and Sarah Jane will be living away from home for the first time as they board in town, finishing their education at the local academy (high school level).  They enjoy their many new experiences and first crushes, although the class bully threatens to ruin things for them.

A School of Her Own

Wedding Bells Ahead

At Home in North Branch

New Faces, New Friends

Stories From the Growing Years