Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Rating: 1.1.2

Recommended audience: 10 to adult

Category: YA or juvenile fiction, historical

Review:

I am falling in love with this author. After reading The Wednesday Wars I knew I had to read some more by Gary Schmidt. The cover of this book did not entice me very much and even though it had won a Newbery Honor (as had The Wednesday Wars) it did take me a long time to finally dig in and read it. I was richly rewarded for my efforts. This book is based on true events which took place in Maine in 1911. The small island of Malaga was home to about 50 people, mostly black, who lived in very poor conditions. The people of Phippsburg felt that the little homes and shacks on the island were an eyesore and were hurting Phippsburg's prospects for a thriving tourism business. They wanted the people of Malaga Island evicted. This book tells that story through the eyes of Lizzie Bright and Turner Buckminster (fictional characters), a black girl and white boy who become friends. Both funny and heartbreaking, I think this book could be a good book club selection because of its many themes including racism, religion, friendship, and family relationships.

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Rating: 1.1.1

Recommended audience: Tweens, teens, adults

Category: YA Fiction or Children's, Historical

This is one of the sweetest, funniest books I've read in a long time. It made me laugh out loud one minute and cry the next. The story is told by Holling Hoodhood and chronicles his seventh grade year at Camillo Junior High. This takes place in 1967-68, during the Vietnam War. While the war does affect his life it is not the main part of the story. It is about the struggles and triumphs of a 12 year old kid. The book reminded me quite a bit of The Wonder Years with Fred Savage that was on TV back in the late 80's to early 90's. It has a similar feel to it. I highly recommend this book. It won a Newbery Honor that I think is well deserved.