" When I lived in China, there were no libraries. My mother bought books for me, and they were mostly the classics. I read ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘The Secret Garden,’ the ‘Rosemary’ books, and Kipling’s ‘Just So’ Stories was one of my favorites. No, I didn’t read historical fiction. It didn’t exist where I was growing up in China. "
- Jean Fritz

This quote reflects a personal account of growing up in China with limited access to libraries but having books bought by one's mother that were mainly classics. The speaker mentions reading various stories such as 'Peter Pan,' 'The Secret Garden,' and Kipling's 'Just So' Stories, indicating an immersion in classic Western literature during their formative years.

Beyond the literal interpretation, this quote highlights the impact of personal relationships and cultural context on one’s literary exposure. Despite being raised in a setting where libraries were scarce and historical fiction was not prevalent, the speaker had access to a range of stories through their mother's efforts. This reveals how supportive family members can play a crucial role in shaping an individual's reading experiences and intellectual development. It also underscores the significance of classic literature in providing universal themes and narratives that transcend cultural boundaries.

Jean Fritz is a well-known American author who has written extensively about American history, particularly for young readers. Her work often focuses on biographies of significant figures from American history, making her contributions invaluable to educating younger generations about historical events and personalities.