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Homeschool Literature Spotlight: Margaret Sidney

If you’ve ever read Five Little Peppers and How They Grew, you already know the warmth and charm that Margaret Sidney brought to her storytelling. But behind that beloved children’s book was Harriett Mulford Stone Lothrop—a writer, preservationist, and visionary whose influence stretched far beyond the pages of her books. This week, we’re shining a light on her life, her legacy, and a few ways you can bring her world into your homeschool literature lessons or design a meaningful homeschool unit study around her work.

Literature Pen Names

Harriett Mulford Stone was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1844 and began publishing under the pen name Margaret Sidney in the 1870s. Her short stories about the Pepper family first appeared in the children’s magazine Wide Awake and were so popular they became a full book—the Five Little Peppers and How They Grew—in 1881. The book’s themes of hard work, love, and cheerful perseverance have made it a lasting favorite for generations of readers.

Literature Legacies

The success of the Five Little Peppers series was only part of Harriett’s story. After marrying publisher Daniel Lothrop, she became deeply involved in historic preservation and community life. The couple purchased The Wayside in Concord, Massachusetts—a home rich with literary history, having belonged to both Louisa May Alcott and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Harriett took great care in restoring the house, which today stands as a National Historic Landmark and a wonderful example of how literature and history intertwine.

In addition to her literary and preservation work, Harriett founded the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution (N.S.C.A.R.) in 1895. Her goal was to inspire young people to appreciate their country’s history and participate actively in civic life. This organization, which still exists today, continues to foster leadership and historical awareness among youth across the country. You can read more about its founding and mission at N.S.C.A.R..

Homeschool Literature Activities

For homeschool families, Margaret Sidney’s work offers a perfect opportunity to blend literature, history, and hands-on learning through a homeschool unit study. Start by reading The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew together, then use these activity sheets from Quiet Life Farm to guide comprehension, vocabulary, and discussion. The Pepper family’s simple but lively household can inspire all sorts of projects—garden studies, budgeting exercises, or journal writing about daily life in the 19th century.

Harriett Lothrop’s legacy reminds us that good stories do more than entertain—they teach values, preserve culture, and connect us to the past. Whether you want to focus on early American history, classic children’s authors, or character education, Margaret Sidney’s life and writing offer plenty to explore in your homeschool literature studies.

Megan Mora Fuentes

A homeschool graduate, Megan earned her associate degree while in high school. She has worked as an office manager for eight years. In her spare time, Megan enjoys kayaking, writing, and baking cookies for anyone who will eat them. She and her husband live in her hometown of Winchester.