Marion Ames Taggart

Marion Ames Taggart (1871–1945) was an American author best remembered for her children's and young adult fiction, much of it written for Catholic readers in the early twentieth century. Born in New York, she began publishing short stories and serialized fiction in magazines and newspapers around the turn of the century, and she eventually became a familiar name in American juvenile literature.

Taggart's stories were known for their wholesome tone, lively dialogue, and sympathetic portraits of ordinary families. Her most popular work was the "Six Girls" series, beginning with "Six Girls and Bob" (1912), followed by titles such as "Six Girls and a Seventh" and "Six Girls and a Room-Mate," which followed the humorous and heartfelt adventures of a large household of sisters. Another well-received book, "The Little Red Chimney: Being the Love Story of a Candy Man" (1914), showed her skill at blending romance, humor, and gentle moral themes.

In addition to her novels, Taggart contributed regularly to Catholic periodicals and wrote devotional and seasonal pieces. Her work, published by houses such as Benziger Brothers, reflected both mainstream American girlhood fiction and the values of Catholic family life. Though largely forgotten today, her books remain representative of early twentieth-century juvenile literature.