The Girl Scouts' Good Turn

In Short

Edith Lavell’s 1922 juvenile novel The Girl Scouts' Good Turn follows high school sophomore Marjorie Wilkinson through a busy school year at Miss Allen’s Boarding School. Alongside her fellow members of Pansy troop, Marjorie navigates class politics, athletic honors, and seasonal festivities. The plot centers on the girls' efforts to guide Frieda Hammer, an uncultured and rebellious runaway, toward a better life. Despite interpersonal clashes, lost property, and repeated setbacks, the story demonstrates the power of perseverance, loyalty, and troop solidarity, enduring as a period snapshot of early twentieth-century youth organizations and female friendship.

The Story

The autumn term at Miss Allen’s Boarding School opens with sophomore Marjorie Wilkinson organizing a winter-themed reception for the incoming freshman class. Classmate Ruth Henry, harboring quiet jealousy toward Marjorie’s popularity, manipulates a tea gathering to block Marjorie’s election as sophomore class president, arguing that Marjorie’s passion for hockey and Girl Scouting diverts her attention from class affairs. Despite Ruth’s maneuvering, Marjorie accepts the outcome with grace and focuses her energies on her personal commitment to Pansy troop, led by the encouraging Captain, Miss Phillips.

As the semester unfolds, Pansy troop faces the challenge of civilizing Frieda Hammer, a rough, undernourished young woman living temporarily with Mrs. Johnson. Frieda lacks basic social training, rejects the girls' gestures of friendship, and harbors deep suspicion toward the troop. Her hostility escalates when Ruth utters an insulting remark at a school fête, causing Frieda to flee into the surrounding woods. Along with her escape, Marjorie’s prized canoe disappears, along with a pink dress and sweater that Frieda takes for her journey to New York.

Throughout the autumn and winter, the scouts participate in a series of traditional school activities: competitive hockey matches, a costume party attended in disguise by a local Boy Scout troop, an investigation of an abandoned colonial mansion, and a charitable Christmas party held in the gymnasium for thirty-two underprivileged local children. During a Thanksgiving trip to New York City, Marjorie spots a waitress in a tea-room who closely resembles Frieda, renewing her determination to trace the missing girl.

Convinced that Frieda might be living under an assumed name, Marjorie initiates a letter-writing correspondence with a scout named "Jennie Perkins" in Trenton, hoping to confirm her identity. Class politics continue back at school, where upperclassman Ethel Todd outwits Ruth’s overbearing attempt to shadow freshmen by organizing an early-morning shower party. Meanwhile, Ruth locates Marjorie's missing canoe along the riverbank, claiming credit for its recovery and asserting her right to an honor medal.

As spring arrives, the troop completes requirements for their Pioneer badges, earning a spot on an upcoming summer canoe trip. During an outing to Princeton, the girls finally confront Frieda, who has been working and attempting to survive on her own. Marjorie’s steady kindness and refusal to harbor resentment break through Frieda's defensive exterior. Recognizing the sincerity of the scouts' intentions, Frieda agrees to leave her precarious existence behind, accept proper guidance, and join the troop. Miss Phillips commends Marjorie for completing the ultimate "Good Turn," solidifying her reputation as the truest Girl Scout of Miss Allen's school.

How It Unfolds

The winter reception Marjorie Wilkinson transforms the school gymnasium into a blue-and-silver wonderland for the incoming freshmen, establishing her leadership abilities despite Ruth Henry's behind-the-scenes scheming to keep her from winning the sophomore class presidency.

The mission to civilize Frieda Pansy troop attempts to mentor Frieda Hammer, a rough and unschooled girl staying near the campus, but her defensive hostility and lack of manners make every interaction a struggle for the well-meaning scouts.

The theft and flight Stung by a rude comment from Ruth at a school event, Frieda runs away from home, taking Marjorie’s pink clothes and untying her canoe to navigate the nearby waterways on her journey toward New York City.

Autumn pastimes and charity The girls bond over hockey matches, a joint masquerade with the local Boy Scout troop, an exploration of an old ruined mansion, and a festive Christmas tree party organized for thirty-two needy children.

The search across state lines Marjorie glimpses a familiar face while visiting a New York tea-room over Thanksgiving, prompting her to initiate a correspondence with a mysterious out-of-town scout to track Frieda down.

Earning the pioneer badges The troop members complete rigorous tests to earn their Pioneer badges, securing their places on an upcoming summer canoeing expedition despite ongoing rivalries between Ruth and Marjorie's loyal friends.

Completing the good turn During a school trip to Princeton, Marjorie locates Frieda, winning her over through consistent warmth and offering her a fresh start as a recognized member of the Girl Scouts.

The People

• Marjorie Wilkinson: A capable, athletic sophomore and devoted Girl Scout who serves as the moral center of the story. She desires harmony within her class and genuine success for her troop, remaining steadfastly kind even when targeted by petty rivalries or betrayed by those she tries to help.
• Ruth Henry: A calculating classmate driven by a desire for status and recognition. She wants to hold primary leadership positions and frequently schemes to undermine Marjorie's influence, using secret surveillance and social politics to gain the upper hand.
• Frieda Hammer: An uncultured, defensive runaway raised without social or moral guidance. She wants independence and financial security in the city but lacks the training to achieve them, acting out aggressively until Marjorie's persistent kindness earns her trust.
• Miss Phillips: The wise, encouraging Captain of Pansy troop. She seeks to instill discipline, practical skills, and humanitarian values in her students while quietly guiding them through personal conflicts.
• Lily Andrews: Marjorie's stout, cheerful room-mate and loyal confidante. She supports Marjorie through every class conflict, offering humor, warmth, and hospitality during their trips away from school.
• Ethel Todd: A clever, resourceful upperclassman who despises unfairness. She uses her sharp mind to outwit Ruth's schemes and safeguard the social balance of the student body.

In Its Own Voice

"The bare, ugly gymnasium had disappeared; in its place was a little winter scene from fairyland."

Before the opening dance begins, Marjorie stands in the transformed room, admiring the snowbanks, cedar boughs, and blue light that set the stage for her committee's seasonal celebration.

"She isn't civilized, Marjorie... she has lived with people all of her life who have no conception of morals, or manners, or training, and she simply acts like a sort of mental savage."

Mrs. Johnson explains the steep challenge facing the troop as she describes Frieda Hammer's rough background and defensive behavior.

"And for our 'Good Turn!'... It's done at last."

At the conclusion of the story, Ruth Henry joins her classmates in celebrating Frieda's decision to accept the troop's help and turn her life around.

What It's Really About

Beneath its surface of schoolyard athletics, tea parties, and troop badge requirements, the novel explores the core ideals of youth citizenship and moral responsibility in early twentieth-century America. It examines the contrast between outward social ambition—represented by class politics and petty rivalries—and the inner discipline required to perform genuine community service. The narrative poses questions about class differences and social uplift, asking whether background and lack of privilege can be overcome through structured mentorship, patience, and non-judgmental kindness. By pitting Marjorie's unselfish service against Ruth's desire for personal credit, the book argues that true leadership is defined by empathy and practical helpfulness rather than title or status.

Why Read It Today

The Girl Scouts' Good Turn offers modern readers an engaging window into the early history of American girlhood organizations and boarding school life in the 1920s. Readers who enjoy wholesome vintage series fiction, historical youth culture, or classic boarding school stories will appreciate its gentle pacing, earnest tone, and detailed depictions of period traditions—from formal winter receptions to sleigh rides and troop badge tests.

The narrative moves briskly through seasonal milestones, presenting a nostalgic atmosphere where peer conflicts are resolved through goodwill and cooperative activity. However, contemporary readers should approach the text aware of its era's social assumptions; the portrayal of unprivileged characters like Frieda reflects paternalistic early twentieth-century attitudes regarding social reform and "civilizing" the less fortunate. Despite these period-bound perspectives, the story's core values of loyalty, forgiveness, and active community service remain clear and heartening, making it a pleasant read for anyone interested in classic juvenile literature.

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