When Bettie and Jeanie, Mabel and Marjory dug the dandelions from the lawn of the little square cottage near the church they earned the right to use the cottage as their own for the whole summer. And an eventful one it was in the Northern Michigan village on Lake Superior. The girls furnished it with odds and ends from family discards. They rented a room to Miss Blossom, which was a pleasant experience; they had new neighbors, which was not; and they planned a dinner party with surprising results. 

Jeanie Mapes was the oldest: fourteen, sweet and gentle, and with the nicest parents. Marjory, a year younger, was graceful, sedate, and most self-possessed, although her wit was inclined to be edged and her tongue sharp. Marjory lived with Aunty Jane, her guardian since her parents had died, and while Aunty Jane was rather severe and not the "grandmothery" type, she was careful, conscientious, and unappreciated. Bettie, twelve, was the only girl in the minister's family of eight. The seven brothers dominated the clothes situation and that's why Bettie, who knew how to do lots of boy-like things the others didn't, wore such queer clothes—they were just clothing Bettie between an older and younger brother. Mabel, the quartet's youngest, was at eleven a rare combination of energy and goodwill, good temper and bad, generosity and heedlessness. The four girls made a comfortable group, friendly on good days and bickering on bad, and loving every minute of their adventures in Dandelion Cottage. 

This simple, charming story of four real and lovable girls was first published in 1904. It has been so eagerly read by generations of girls that it can be considered a minor classic. 

From the dust jacket of 1997 edition