Rainbow Valley by L. M. Montgomery

225 pages
Published 1919, reprinted 1998
by Bantom Books
Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.
New York, NY

At long last I had time to sit down and not only begin reading Rainbow Valley, but time to finish it! Rainbow Valley is the seventh book in the Anne of Green Gables series by L. M. Montgomery, but it isn't really a book about Anne, it's more of a book about her children... and yet it's not entirely about them either.

The Plot:
Anne Shirley is grown up, has married her beloved Gilbert, and is the mother of six mischievous children. These boys and girls discover a special place all their own, but they never dream of what will happen when a strange family moves into an old mansion nearby. The Meredith clan is two boys and two girls--and a runaway named Mary Vance. Soon the Merediths join Anne's children in their private hideout, intent on carrying out their plans to save Mary from the orphanage, to help the lonely minister find happiness, and to keep a pet rooster from the soup pot. There's always an adventure brewing in the sun-dappled world of Rainbow Valley. (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
I had mixed thoughts going into this book. On the one-hand I was sad to know this story wasn't really about Anne. Although she is present throughout the book and is definitely a part of the story, Rainbow Valley isn't her story and because of this I did find myself missing Anne. I also truly missed Gilbert. For the first time in the series Gilbert only has one line! And although he is mentioned throughout the book he only makes two or three appearances in the story. Alas!

I guess because of this it almost felt to me as if Rainbow Valley was more of a companion story to the Anne of Green Gables series, like the three Deep Valley books are to the Betsy-Tacy series. (The only difference here of course is that Rainbow Valley is one of the Anne books.)

Nevertheless, once I got over this snag I truly enjoyed Rainbow Valley. The adventures of the Blythe and Meredith children are hilariously entertaining. And like all Montgomery stories, this book had it's sweet and it's sad moments. Of course, what Montgomery novel would be complete without a little romance? Rainbow Valley contained two -- one of lost love that gets a second chance and one of unexpected love, both added greatly to the richness of the story. And in the end I found the book to be a sweet, charming and completely delightful read. Not at all boring, which I must admit I was secretly worried it might be.

Another interesting feeling I had while reading Rainbow Valley was the feeling of familiarity. Although this was my first time reading this particular book so much of the story telling felt familiar, as if Montgomery took some of her best character personalities in all their quirkiness, some of the familiar phrases and humor and gave them a fresh twist. Not to say that the story feels recycled, because it doesn't. Just comfortably familiar and I think a pleasant read for any fan of Montgomery's writing.

For those who have read the Anne of Green Gables series and have never given this book a read, you are missing out. Don't focus on the fact that Anne is no longer at the center of the story, enjoy the story for all the other wonderful characters and adventures that are to be found within.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Rainbow Valley a 4.5. I really enjoyed it and am sorry I put off reading it for so long. I am glad to own a copy for my own personal library and highly encourage you to check out a copy at your library or find one at your local book store. This Lucy Maud Montgomery book is a must read!

My other L. M.Montgomery reviews:
Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Avonlea
Anne of the Island
Anne of Windy Poplars
Anne's House of Dreams
Anne of Ingleside

The Blue Castle

And for those interested in reading some or more of L. M. Montgomery's works be sure to check out Reading to Know's L. M. Montgomery Reading Challenge, which will run in January 2010.

Betsy And the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace

321 pages
Harper Trophy
A Division of HarperCollins Publishers
First published 1952, reprinted 1996

Betsy And the Great World is the ninth book in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. Betsy And the Great World is a little special as it has a completely different setting than the books preceding it in the series. The story is not set in Minnesota, but instead in Europe. The only Deep Valley/Minneapolis character that make an appearance is Joe Willard, albeit very briefly. The rest of Betsy's friends and family members only appear in the story through the form of letters to/from Betsy and her conversations with the people she meets and her own internal thoughts.

The Plot:
"It's the trip of a lifetime. Betsy Ray, 21 years old, is heading off for a solo tour of Europe. From the moment she casts off, her journey is filled with adventure--whether she's waltzing at the captain's ball, bartering for beads in Madeira, or sipping coffee at a bohemian cafe in Munich. It's rich fodder for a budding young writer, and Betsy's determined to make the most of the experience. If only she could stop thinking about her ex-sweetheart, Joe Willard... Then a handsome, romantic Italian goes overboard for Betsy, and she has a big decision to make. Marco Regali is passionate, fascinating, and cultured. Could it be that Betsy's heart belongs in Europe instead of Minnesota?" (Summary courtesy of the publisher.)

My Thoughts:
Of course I enjoyed Betsy And the Great World, why wouldn't I? It's a Betsy-Tacy book and I love the series! But I can't say it's my favorite in the series. To me it's a little like what Anne of Windy Poplars is to the other books in the Anne series. A story that is entertaining and interesting, but lacking something of the snap that the previous or forthcoming books contain. In the case of Anne of Windy Poplars I really missed Anne's interaction with Gilbert. In the case of Betsy and the Great World I really missed the Deep Valley crowd and her interaction with the Joe! I really missed Joe.

Still, I think Betsy And the Great World plays a vital role in the Betsy-Tacy series. Betsy has left her high school life and faces the "what next" moment that so many people similarly face. This book provides a bridge from her childhood and high school years to her adult life.

Like Emily Webster in another of Maud Hart Lovelace's books: Emily of Deep Valley, Betsy feels she must attend college after high school, after all everyone else is. But after starting college Betsy encounters some unforeseen difficulties that set her back a year. With her friends a year ahead of her she starts to lose focus of what she really wants and makes some foolish choices, including one that costs her the loss of Joe Willard. Thankfully Betsy's very sensible and loving father encourages her to learn from her mistakes and move on to something else rather than continue spending time and money doing something she isn't meant to do. This results in Betsy taking a tour of Europe where she learns that she doesn't have to study books to become a better writer. She can better herself and her writing through the experiences of one-on-one contact with historical sites, foreign languages, and the unique people and cultures of foreign countries.

Betsy And the Great World is a story filled with entertainment, adventure, and history. When the novel opens it is 1914 and Betsy is seeing ancient historical sites as well as modern (i.e. early 20th century) sites. She is seeing Germany pre-World War I. For a reader from the 21st century I find this absolutely fascinating! I love the depth of detail that Mrs. Lovelace includes in the story. It gives me, the reader, not just an understanding of what it was like, but the feeling of actually having been to Europe with Betsy.

And how very different it was to travel in 1914 than it is today! Not to mention the amount of luggage that Betsy can travel with (albeit by boat not plane). Then there's whole bath/shower aspect. At one point in the story Betsy has to go several weeks (or maybe it's a couple months) without a bath (and showers didn't exist). Eww! And on a lighter note, I couldn't help but laugh when towards the end of the book when someone asks Betsy if she has her passport with her and Betsy replies in the negative as "very few people bothered with passports for a mere trip to Europe." (Chpt. 21, pg. 313) Yes, how very different from today when you not only must have a passport to go from the USA to Europe, but also from the USA to Canada! I also noticed the amount of freedom that Betsy has in her travels. Traveling through Europe in 1914 appears to have been both simplistic and quietly beautiful. The cities still had their hustle and bustle, but not the noise and high-paced life that travelers of this century meet. No bumper-to-bumper traffic, no tourist traps, no cell phones, Web-cafes, and jumbo jets with hundreds of people cramped in tiny seats after paying a large sum of money to check their one bag. Of course, there was a downside to the lack of technology. When she was homesick Betsy couldn't just pick up a phone and call her family and a return trip to the United States took six days instead of the current six hours. Still, I think the experiences Betsy had are harder to come by as a traveler today and, in a way, that's a shame.

Another subject addressed briefly in the book is World War I, at least the beginnings of it. In the closing chapters of Betsy And the Great World war breaks out between Germany, Russia, France, and Belgium. Betsy faces the choice of staying in England experiencing things first-hand that she could write about or heading for the safety of her home back in Minneapolis. While keeping the story historically accurate, Mrs. Lovelace still manages to tactfully keep the grit of the war to a distance. For Betsy and her friends back in the United States the idea of a world-wide war was just not something they considered reality, at least not in 1914 even though it was quickly becoming a reality for people in Europe.

In Summary:
Betsy and the Great World is a wonderful mix of fiction and history. I am so glad I took the time to re-read it. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate it a 4.5. I loved the book, it's a definite must read for the series, but the best (in my opinion) is yet to come. Stay tuned!

Want to read Betsy And the Great World? You can! If your library doesn't have a copy be sure to check out your local bookstore or shop online. HarperCollins Publishers has reprinted Betsy And the Great World along with Betsy's Wedding and they can be purchased in one paperback for $10-15.

-------------
Related Reads:
Betsy-Tacy (Betsy-Tacy series, 1897-1898)
Betsy, Tacy and Tib (BT, 1900-1901)
Winnona's Pony Cart (Deep Valley series, around 1900)
Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill (BT, 1902)
Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown (BT, 1904-1905)
Heavens to Betsy (BT, 1906-1907)
Betsy in Spite of Herself (BT, 1907-1908)
Betsy Was a Junior (BT, 1908-1909)
Betsy and Joe (BT, 1909-1910)
Carney's House Party (DV, 1911)
Emily of Deep Valley (DV, 1912-1913)
Betsy and the Great World (BT, 1914)
Betsy's Wedding (BT, 1914-1917) -- Review coming soon!

New Release: Forest Born

Earlier this spring I read and thoroughly enjoyed The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. At the time I planned to read the next two books in the Books of Bayern series, Enna Burning and River Secrets so that I'd be ready to pick up the next book the series, Forest Born when it hit store and library shelves today (9/15/09). Alas, I lost sight of my goal and am no closer to reaching it today than I was two months ago. Nevertheless, I still plan to get there and in the meantime I wanted to let you know.

As I said, I really enjoyed The Goose Girl and have heard great reviews of the other books in the series, thus I have high hopes for Forest Born. If you're a fan of fantasy and fairy tales or Shannon Hale then you might want to check your library for this new book.

Betsy And Joe By Maud Hart Lovelace

256 pages
Copyright 1948
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York, NY

"Say, you told me you thought Les Miserables was the greatest novel ever written. I think Vanity Fair is the greatest. Let's fight." ~ Joe Willard to Betsy Ray (Chapter 4, page 47)

Betsy and Joe opens during the summer of 1909, just months from the beginning of Betsy’s senior year at Deep Valley High School. Once more Betsy and her family (sans Julia who is traveling abroad) are vacationing at the lake where Betsy spends her days relaxing, swimming, writing letters and stories (she's determined to get published before the summer is over), and planning out her last year of high school.

Betsy learned a lot during her junior year and she is resolved to continue this pattern of growth and maturity as she starts the school year. For starters, she is determined to be a steadier and more loving individual. Betsy also plans to help more around the home, study harder, spend more time reaching out to others, and most of all -- rescue her long-time friend, Tony Markham, who has fallen in with a bad crowd. But what Betsy doesn't plan for ends up being the biggest surprise of her summer -- Joe Willard and she will finally get their chance to be together…

I think it's safe to say Betsy and Joe is my all-time favorite book in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. It's the culmination of the high-school years and the reader finally gets to find out more about the handsome yet mysterious Joe Willard. And yet, it's not just another chapter in the "Betsy high school saga," for as is true with any of the books in the series, Mrs. Lovelace weaves a story that is both entertaining and endearing with subtle lessons and the adventures and tragedies that are found in real-life.

I find this coming-of-age novel romantic and yet still very realistic. It’s both entertaining and heart wrenching. Love is lost, love is gained, and love is even found where it's not expected. Betsy has to make a choice whether to help another or to follow her heart. Her faith is stretched as she watches those around her lose loved ones and yet carry on. She faces challenges head on, she's improved, she's matured... and yet she still makes mistakes. But I find her flaws and virtues just make her a more realistic and lovable heroine. She's not perfect, but you don't want her to be.

Yes, Betsy and Joe is definitely the culmination of the books following Betsy’s childhood and youth, but it's not the end of her story. Mrs. Lovelace drops various hints to the reader as to the future course of many of the characters in the book and the reader has the delightful opportunity of two more books about Betsy as she enters the Great World.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Betsy and Joe a 5. This is an excellent read and well worth your attention.

-----------------------------
Note: As I mentioned in my last Betsy review, Betsy loves to read. I noticed her novel of choice in this book was Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens, which I read and reviewed this summer.

Mark Your Calendar! The Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge begins here at A Library is a Hospital for the Mind on Monday, September 28.

Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace

248 pages
Copyright 1947
Thomas Y. Crowell Company
New York, NY

I actually read Betsy Was a Junior in August, but delayed my review because I wanted to post it after my announcement about the Maud Hart Lovelace Reading Challenge. I'm planning on one more Betsy-Tacy review this month, but then the rest of the books I read by Mrs. Lovelace will be saved for the reading challenge.

The Plot:
Betsy Was a Junior opens, as do all the high school books in the series, during the last few weeks of summer. While Betsy, now 16 going on 17, has had a wonderful summer at the lake with her family she is excited to get back home to Deep Valley and to school. She's made big plans for the upcoming year, which include capturing the attention of the mysteriously aloof, but very handsome Joe Willard, getting better grades, winning the coveted Essay Contest cup, and joining the committee to work on the Junior-Senior Banquet. If all goes to plan she expects to have the best school year ever!

And at first it seems like it will be the perfect year, especially when Betsy learns her childhood friend, Tib Mueller, has moved back to Deep Valley and the girls in the crowd form the first ever sorority at Deep Valley High. But then a few things go wrong and Betsy's plans start to fall apart or backfire. Before she realizes it she (and the crowd) are headed for trouble. If something doesn't change soon it could end up being Betsy's worst year ever!

My Thoughts:
As is the case with the other books in the series I found Betsy Was a Junior amusing, entertaining, and endearing. And of course it should come as no surprise, to those who've read my other reviews of the Betsy-Tacy series, that I loved this next installment of Betsy's high school years.

One thing I've noticed during my re-reading of this series is the fact these aren't stories filled with fluff. Yes, Betsy lives during a golden age and her life is filled with fun, fashion, and some frivolity, but none of the characters are one-dimensional. Mrs. Lovelace always manages to weave important details and principles into the story that adds a richness and make the characters come alive on the pages. Betsy has endearing qualities, but she she is not perfect. During her junior year she makes some good choices and some not so good choices, which lead to some tough consequences. But she faces them head on and comes out the other end no worse for the wear, but definitely a wiser and better individual. To me, this is the type of character the draws the reader in and gives them a reason to care what happens next in the story.

Another aspect that I love about the Betsy-Tacy books is how Mrs. Lovelace celebrates and honors not only the family and family traditions, but also faith, friendships, and just the little things that make life in a small town during the early 1900s so unique. It's the compilation of all these details that make the Betsy-Tacy books timeless treasures. Yes, a lot has changed in the last century, but the heart of the stories in the Betsy-Tacy books remain as applicable today as they were 50 years ago when the books were published, or 100 years ago at the time the stories were set.

My Summary:
On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Betsy Was a Junior a 5. I love this novel. So much happens and it is a truly enjoyable read, you have to read it!


--------------------
P.S. Throughout the series the reader sees mention of various books Betsy has read or is reading. I made a fun discovery while reading Betsy Was a Junior. At one point in the story it is mentioned that Betsy reads aloud to her girlfriends from The Shuttle by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I found this amusing because I just read and reviewed that same book in March. And in case your curious, Betsy has good taste in books... I loved The Shuttle.

Betsy In Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace

272 pages
Copyright 1946, reprint in paperback 1980
Harper Trophy
New York, NY

I'm on a roll... After reading the first four books in the Betsy-Tacy series I finally reached my favorite books in the series -- the high school years, which begin with Heavens To Betsy and eventually lead into Betsy's early adult years and the end of the series. Of course now that I've begun re-reading them I don't want to stop. And so only a day after finishing Heavens to Betsy I found myself reading, Betsy In Spite of Herself.

The Plot:
As Betsy in Spite of Herself opens it is the summer of 1908. Betsy is 15 and heading into her sophomore year at Deep Valley High School. Even though Betsy and her life-long friend Tacy still underclassmen they are "important members of 'the Crowd,' which is the center of all the exciting happenings in the school. But all the interest in examinations, dates, parties, and school games vanishes when Phil Brandish joins the Crowd, for Phil is new and handsome and has a b right red auto. Betsy decides she has to change her personality to fit her new sophisticated role, and a trip to Milwaukee gives her the opportunity. Whether or not she succeeds, things begin to happen after she returns home, and her great decision about herself is made at her first dance." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts:
As I said above, I love these books. Not only are they a part of my childhood (or rather teenage years -- as I read them and enjoyed them when I was about the same age as Betsy and Tacy), but they remind me so much of... well, me as a teenager.

At 15 years I was a budding author. I'd actually written and sold one story and I dreamed of becoming an best selling author and maybe even traveling the Great World. I loved having fun with my friends, attending parties, and even cheering at the occasional school basketball game. And like Betsy, I thought for a time that if I changed who I was -- in looks, dress, and personality, then I might draw the attention and companionship of those who I thought were "cool". But also like Betsy, in time I came to realize how silly that was.

As some readers may know (particularly if you're a reader of this blog) the Betsy-Tacy books are based off of the author's (Maud Hart Lovelace) own childhood and teenage memories and experiences. Most, though not all, of Betsy's friends and family are based off real-life friends and family members of Maud's. I think this fact makes the series that much more interesting. It's not just another historical fiction series, it's based on facts and thus in a very small way a biographical historical fiction series.

Between my own personal connection with Betsy's character and the knowledge that a real person just like Betsy actually lived, experienced, and felt the same things that I have makes the series so endearing to me.

But emotions aside. Heavens to Betsy is educational too. There are two things I've noticed while re-reading the Betsy-Tacy series. First, lessons are learned by Betsy and her friends, but their aren't presented in a preachy or lecturing way. Mrs. Lovelace weaves the story in such a way that any foolish decisions reap realistic consequences and the characters and readers are left to draw their own conclusions from such happenings. Unlike say... The Elsie Dinsmore books.

Honestly, I was never a fan of the Elsie Dinsmore series. I just couldn't stand Elsie's -- or the author's for that matter -- "goody-goody" attitude and preachiness (or so I viewed it). So when I came across the following paragraph in Betsy In Spite of Herself I almost laughed out loud:

"For a moment Betsy wondered wildly whether she should refuse to go. Elsie Dinsmore, she remembered, had refused to play the piano on Sunday; she had fallen off the piano stool instead. But Betsy had never thought much of Elsie Dinsmore..." (Chapter 12, page 127)

Second, without realizing it a reader can have a nice history and social studies lesson just by reading a Betsy-Tacy novel. I had forgotten how much attention Mrs. Lovelace gives to not only the exciting and unusual details, but also to the seemingly mundane and simple details.

The reader learns much about life in the early 1900s just by reading about Betsy's home, school, religious, and social life doings. And then there is the social and political comments that Betsy, her family and friend's make and observe throughout the books just as naturally as any family does today. When Betsy takes a trip to Milwaukee to visit her childhood friend, Tib the reader learns a great deal about what life was like for German immigrants to the United States prior to both World Wars. I found this aspect particularly enlightening considering the current status of international immigrants in America. It was indeed a very interesting read.

My Summary:
These books aren't just fluff. They bring out the best of my memories and I guess that's why I treasure them so. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Betsy In Spite of Herself a 5. This is a great follow-up to Heavens to Betsy. But I warn readers... once you start you won't be able to set the series aside until you reach the end.

Stay tuned for further thoughts and interesting facts when I review Betsy Was a Junior and an exciting announcement concerning this blog.

For more details about the reprinting of the Betsy-Tacy series or to see my other Betsy-Tacy reviews click on the Betsy-Tacy label.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

563 pages
Little, Brown
Copyright 2006

Introduction:
If you thought the hubbub over Stephenie Meyers Twilight saga was coming to an end now that the saga, consisting of four novels, is complete, well you would be wrong. From the little research I've done online the number of Twilight fans and their excitement just seems to increase as time goes by. Of course it probably helps that the movie adaptation of the second novel, New Moon, is set to arrive in theatres this November.

And yet the fad doesn't stop there. I've noticed more and more authors and screenwriters are turning their attention to the living-dead, the immortal. In the last week I've seen two new vampire novels (i.e. Mr. Darcy, Vampire... Argh!!!! Don't even get me started!) and at least three new television shows about vampires that are set to air this fall.

If this annoys you, as it does me, there's only one thing to do. Find something else to read or watch and just wait. Like most fads, this too will pass.

That said... I make no apologies or excuses when I tell you I went ahead and read New Moon.

The Plot:
"For Bella Swan, there is one thing more important than life itself: Edward Cullen. But being in love with a vampire is even more dangerous than Bella ever could have imagined. Edward has already rescued Bella from the clutches of one evil vampire, but now, as their daring relationship threatens all that is near and dear to them, they realize their troubles may be just beginning..." (Summary courtesy of the publisher)

My Thoughts
Like its predecessor, New Moon is a dark romance. Of course because it is a story of vampires it follows that it is also a fantasy and a thriller. And yet as I read I was surprised to find it was also something more than that...

In the midst of the romance/fantasy/thriller Meyers weaves other threads that bring the characters and the story to life. Yes, Bella is a teenager who faces some unusual situations (i.e. vampire boyfriend), but she also faces some situations that are typical of any teenager. In New Moon she struggles with the loss of her first love, with figuring out who she is and what she wants in life, and with where her loyalties lie (family or friends). At the same time she makes new friends and loses some old ones. These are all things that modern teenagers struggle with on a daily basis. The unfortunate thing is Bella doesn't really know where to turn to find hope when all hope seems lost.

While I realize Meyer's doesn't hit a home run on many of these issues (there are things in the book I have problems with), I do realize that was never the point of the books. The Twilight saga is fiction. It's goal is to attract readers by creating a world they can identify with (for the most part) and at the same time entertain, be that through the romance or the thriller.

I found New Moon to be a little darker than Twilight, but I suppose that fits as the title itself not only refers to the darkest time in the moon's cycle, but also to this part of the story being the darkest part of Bella's life. Another subtle reference in New Moon has to do with the love story/tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

In Summary:
While I did end up liking New Moon, I didn't like it as much as Twilight. The story was definitely darker and there was one particular scene that gave me the shivers. At the same time, there were many unanswered questions from the first novel that finally got answered and as a reader I found that satisfying.

On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate New Moon a 3. I liked the story. I think Meyer is a creative author. She writes a book that is easy and entertaining to read, but they aren't classics. Her books are pure fluff and entertainment. Still, that's just what some readers look for in books. I enjoy it from time to time... I've especially enjoyed it this summer because my work has been so demanding. When I've read it has been mostly an escape to something that is creative, or mindless, or just fun.

What's Next?
I'm choosing to ignore the latest vampire novels, movies, and television shows that are riding the wave of popularity created by Twilight. So don't expect me to start reading Mr. Darcy, Vampire or watching Vampire Diaries on CW. I still plan to read Bram Stoker's Dracula at some point and I might finish reading the Twilight saga, but that's as far as I'll go.

Heavens To Besty by Maud Hart Lovelace

268 pages
Harper Trophy
A division of Harper Collins Publishers
Copyright 1948, reprinted 1980

Heavens to Betsy is the fifth book in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. This story opens in the summer of 1906, which leads up to Betsy and Tacy's freshman year in Deep Valley High School.

It doesn't take long for the reader to realize Betsy is quickly growing up to be a lovely young woman. At fourteen she's wearing her hair up (instead of in braids), her skirts are longer (nearly covering her ankles), she's taking on new challenges, including writing contests, joining choir, and exploring a new church. And then there's the social realm of her life -- Betsy's friendships expand to create "the crowd" who together enjoy dozens of parties and festivities throughout the year. She's even falling in love for the first time... to a tall, dark stranger (T.D.S!) All this definitely makes Heavens to Betsy a fun read.

As I've mentioned in the past, the Betsy-Tacy books are a childhood favorite of mine. Perhaps that accounts for the warm fuzzy feelings I get whenever I'm reading a book from the series. Betsy's world, including life as a freshman in Deep Valley High School, is just so interesting, exciting, and entertaining that I actually found myself almost wishing I had been a teenager in the early 20th century and lived in a town like Deep Valley... almost.

I've always been fond of the Betsy's family, but became even more so after reading Heavens to Betsy. Mr. and Mrs. Ray exemplify marriage, parenthood, friendship, and hospitality at its very best and it in turn is carried on by Betsy and her sisters. And even though the Ray family members do have their differences they always work things out with love and respect. Their house is a home to all who enter, filled with love, laughter, and even intellectual discussions. The Ray home is the type of home I wish to have -- loving, supportive, entertaining, and a haven to all.

In addition to the wonderful characters, interesting setting, and entertaining plot, I also find Lovelace's writing style enjoyable to read and easy to follow. Her books always have interesting story plots with subtle, but important lessons, and are so full of detail that it is never a problem to imagine every day life in Deep Valley in 1906 as clearly as if I'd seen it myself.

As you can tell I loved re-reading Heavens To Betsy. I don't know that it is my favorite book in the series, but it definitely ranks up near the top. On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Heavens to Betsy a 5. I just love this book.

The only objections a reader might have with this book has to do with the casual and lighthearted use of a Ouija board by Betsy and her friends during some of their Christmas parties. Although I don't know a whole lot about life in the early 1900s I will venture a guess that the use of Ouija boards by families like the Rays was more as a form of entertainment than anything serious. Still some readers may object, but I think this shouldn't stop them from reading and enjoying this book.

Personally I don't think I can over emphasize how much I love this series and that readers who have never read the series should be sure to add it to their TBR lists. If you are a fan of Anne of Green Gables, Emily of New Moon, and the like, I can pretty much guarantee you will really enjoy these books.

While my first reading of the series was by way of library copies I did purchase the entire series about 10-13 years ago when Harper Collins Publishers was reprinting, since then the books have slipped back out of print. While I treasure the copies I have I hate the cover art (see above) as it poorly represents the books. The interior artwork (at the beginning of each chapter) by Vera Neville is far superior.

Readers who wish to obtain their own collection of Betsy-Tacy books may be able to find used copies through used book sellers and Amazon (editions and prices vary from low to high). Some readers may even get lucky and find copies at their local library, but there is some good news.

For the first time in over a decade Harper Collins Publishers is republishing the last six books in the Betsy-Tacy series! The print release date is set as September 29, 2009. For more information check out the Harper Collins Publishers website. (And note the cover art, it's by Vera Neville!)

Please note: the books are being combined with two novels per publication (i.e. Heavens to Betsy/Betsy In Spite of Herself cover Betsy's freshman and sophomore year, Betsy was a Junior/Betsy and Joe cover her junior and senior years, Betsy And the Great World/Betsy's Wedding cover the years following graduation.) The books will be selling for $14.99 and will be in paperback. This is indeed exciting news for all Betsy-Tacy fans.

~ O di immortales!

-------------

Previous reviews: Betsy-Tacy, Betsy, Tacy and Tib, Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill, Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown, and Winona's Pony Cart.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

498 pages

Published 2005, reprinted 2008

Little, Brown Young Readers

Let me preface this review by saying I have never had any interest in reading vampire stories or any scary monster story for that matter. As a teenager I read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, but I never took the time to read Bram Stoker's Dracula and I never bothered to watch a vampire movie or TV show. They just didn't interest me. And so it shouldn't come as a surprise that until this summer I have not had any interest in reading or seeing Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.

What changed my mind was the fact that both a sister-in-law and my own sister, having read the books and seen the movie, kept telling me I should read the series that it wasn't just a vampire story. After months of hearing this I finally decided to add Twilight to my TBR list with the goal of reading it before the end of the summer. And so, I put a request in for Twilight at my local library. Surprisingly it came in a lot faster than I expected and thus spent over two weeks sitting on my nightstand before I even gave it a second glance. And then last weekend after a marathon reading of Dickens I decided I needed a break and picked up Twilight... The result was a 24 hour period where I didn't read anything but Twilight.

The Plot
As most of you know, Twilight is the story of 17-year old Bella Swann, who moves from Phoenix, AZ to Forks, WA to spend some time with her father after her mother's remarriage. At first Bella hates her new home. Not only is Forks the rainiest part of the United States, but it is a small town with a small school and she's the new girl. But then she meets Edward Cullen, a very beautiful and very mysterious boy in her school. Initially he seems to hate her and goes to great lengths to be as far from her as possible, but over the course of the school year they strike up an unlikely friendship and after he has saved her life twice she learns his secret... he's a vampire. What ensues is a fantasy story of star-crossed lovers -- the human and the immortal -- living in a modern world full of temptation. (*Note: The picture of the fruit on the cover is to symbolize the forbidden fruit from the Garden of Eden. Bella and Edward, and others in the book, face various forms of temptations.)

My Thoughts
Overall I was surprised to find I really enjoyed Twilight. While I don't class Meyer's writing as "fine literature," I did find her writing style quick and easy to read, as well as very detailed and descriptive. The story is told in the first-person through Bella's eyes, and this combined with Meyer's creative prose helped to bring the story alive, as if I was watching it played out in my mind's eye while I read.

My overall opinion of the book could probably be dissected into three parts. For the first third of the book I was utterly and completely intrigued. I couldn't put the book down! From the start of the story I was curious to find out what would happen next and I was fascinated by Edward's character. He isn't your average vampire.

By the second third of the book Bella and Edward's relationship is established (i.e. she knows he's a vampire and he's determined not to hurt her) and the story settles down. I almost found the second third of the book a little dull. I know lots of things were happening at that point in the story, but for a while I felt as if it was just Edward and Bella mooning over their their forbidden and almost impossible romance.

Then comes the last third of the story. At this point the mooning takes a back seat to the drama. Bella is in danger and Edward must save her. From the start of this section until the end of the book the story resumes its roles as a fast-paced read and comes to a halt in a temporarily satisfactory ending. (I say temporarily because it is obvious there is a sequel.)

Further Thoughts: objectionable content
I was pleased to find that the vampire theme isn't really the point of the story. Twilight is really a story of love overcoming unreal obstacles. It is a story of people facing and dealing with temptations. It is a story of self-discovery and finding that you can overcome things you don't like if you are determined enough to do so. Overall Twilight was a fairly clean story. It has very little violence: there is one scene where Bella is attacked by a carnivorous vampire, but Meyer's handles it tactfully. There are no love scenes (though there is plenty of chemistry between Edward and Bella). And there is only a couple uses of mild profanity (I think I only remember seeing one or two words, if that). As far as objections to a story about vampires: the immortal living-dead. I know that some might object to the content, but I mark it up there as fantasy right along side books like Dracula, Harry Potter, Frankenstein and the like. Not all are classics, but they are all stories written (and successfully so) for the entertainment of the reader.

My Summary
On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate Twilight a 3.5. I really enjoyed the story. I found it entertaining, comical at times, suspenseful, and the love-story heart-warming. I liked the unique star-crossed lover angle that Meyer's uses in the book and look forward to some more light reading when I pick up New Moon from my library later this summer.

Bonus Review: Twilight, the Movie
Having read the Twilight I went ahead and borrowed the movie from the library. The film, released to DVD in 2008, is fairly close to the book. But that being said, there are some definite plot changes.

While I enjoyed the movie (it was fun to see the characters come to life on the screen), I do have some complaints and they fall mainly with the script/screenwriters.

First, because of the nature of film vs. novel the story does lose some of it's natural intimacy. In the book you're reading the story through the form of first-person (Bella's thoughts, etc.), but in the movie you are only able to view Bella's story as a third-person. A lot of the dialog and thought process is lost in the translation from book to screen and you don't get to know Bella and Edward as well as you do in the book.

Second, due to the condensing factor that happens when a long novel is moved to the big screen a lot of the scenes and dialogue ended up feeling choppy and at times almost corny. Some of my favorite scenes in the book were lost when translated to the screen, which is a shame. And again, this resulted in the viewer not getting to know the main characters and their back story as well.

Third, due to the plot changes there are some scenes of violence not included in the book, which annoyed me. But they are almost all implied and off-screen, so that was good.

Overall the story, the costumes and make-up, the film sets and scenes, and the special effects could each be scaled from good to great. The actors are well chosen and the music fitting. I can see why teenagers are crazy about this movie.

As I said, it was fun to see the story come alive on the screen, but if asked I would recommend viewers read the book before watching the movie. Too much of the story is lost if you only watch the movie.

The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry

306 pages
Copyright 2009, First Edition
Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books
New York, NY

The Amaranth Enchantment is Julie Berry's debut novel. It was released in March of this year and has already attracted quite a bit of attention amongst readers and bloggers. I first learned of the book through Noel's blog Never Jam Today. The title intrigued me and after a little research (reading the story's description) I quickly added it to my TBR list.

The Plot:
The Amaranth Enchantment is a sort of coming-of-age story that follows the adventures of Lucinda, a 15-year-old orphan, who in her short life has gone from riches to rags and from being an adored daughter to being a servant in her uncle's goldsmith/jewelry repair shop. Life is very lonely and bleak for Lucinda, especially under the oppression of her aunt, a mean-spirited woman who seems to hate everyone, especially Lucinda.

And then one evening everything begins to change... It all starts when a handsome stranger appears in her uncle's shop, followed by a mysterious woman with a likewise mysterious and very beautiful gem, and then later in the evening a fleeing individual begs refuge in Lucinda's bedroom. What follows is a tale of romance and adventure woven together in a fantasy and fairytale setting.

My Thoughts:
The Amaranth Enchantment is a clever, entertaining, and fast-paced read with a somewhat surprising ending. Intended for young readers (ages 9-12) there is no inappropriate language or love scenes, making it a clean and fun read for readers of all ages.

I really enjoyed the The Amaranth Enchantment and I think Berry's unique twist to this Cinderella-story is part of why I liked it so well. It wasn't just another rags to riches story. That said, I must admit there were certain elements or aspects that reminded me of a few pre-existing fantasies such as Enchanted and Stardust. So if you have enjoyed either of those movies it is likely you'll enjoy this story. Likewise, if you are a fan of The White Horse, The Goose Girl, or Ella Enchanted, you are likely to also enjoy The Amaranth Enchantment.

In Summary:
On a scale of 1-5, 1 being horrible and 5 being excellent I would rate The Amaranth Enchantment a 4. This is one novel that readers of fantasy and fairytales should check out of their local public library and for certain readers may even warrant the price to add it to their personal library.