Scan barcode
lhohnstadt's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kerryanndunn's review
5.0
“One reason was that Tacy and Tib both loved her so much. They thought she was just about perfect, which had always made it easy for her to believe herself that she was pretty nice. You don’t grow up, she reasoned now, until you begin to evaluate yourself, to recognize your good traits and acknowledge that you have a few faults.”
Betsy and Joe!
Betsy and Joe!
bestpartofafire's review
3.0
This one was a significant improvement on the last few. It loses some stars for having mostly just conflicts that could be resolved with even the most minuscule amount of communication.
tjwallace04's review
4.0
Joe continues to be one of the least attractive male leads from my childhood repertoire (give me an Almanzo or a Gilbert any day over a Joe with his lower lip stuck out) (why is that outthrust lower lip even considered attractive, Betsy?!?). And don't even get me started about the fact that
Spoiler
the only year Betsy wins the Essay Cup is when Joe is in love with her and basically throws the competition.Spoiler
How unsatisfying for all smart, hardworking young women readers! Nevertheless, even with a lackluster hero, this book, like all the Betsy-Tacy series, is a joy and a comfort and makes me want to eat a lot of food like olives and cheese and crackers and chicken salad on hot rolls.crizzle's review
4.0
Of the four high school books, this is definitely the best (much like your senior year is the best one). Of course, it still doesn’t compare in my mind to the four childhood books, but I’m slowly getting over that. It did make for some sweet nostalgic moments for the trio’s childhood, as ending high school often does. I love that during the anxiety and jitters of graduation day, the girls giggle remembering their first day of kindergarten in which shy Tacy ran away and Betsy had to go after her. (Wiping away a tear...) I love the ending after graduation, with Betsy taking Joe up the Big Hill to show him her precious childhood spots spent day after day with Tacy and Tib... sob... starting the new chapter of life there with her first real kiss ahhhhh! Also, Tony. I liked Tony a lot more in this book. And of course how Betsy led him on was regrettable (not to mention how she should have just been up front with both boys of her feelings), but such is life... I was reminded of my own senior year in these aspects. Dumb, but true to life. Lovelace is still a master with her prose when she wants to be, and who couldn’t help falling in love with Joe when he tells Betsy he likes her straight hair better?
Weird parts: the illustration of Tony performing in black face, even though the text didn’t hint at it, and the excitement and exclamations of Julia being “fat” when she returns from studying opera in Europe.
Weird parts: the illustration of Tony performing in black face, even though the text didn’t hint at it, and the excitement and exclamations of Julia being “fat” when she returns from studying opera in Europe.
stenaros's review against another edition
4.0
Lest you think that life is smooth sailing for Betsy just because Joe has second billing in the title, think again! It's senior year for our friends and Betsy once again begins the school year deciding how things will be. And then we get to read about how those things don't quite come to pass.
libkatem's review
5.0
Their romance is so quaint and provincial, but for some reason, they are so perfect for each other without being "spoony." It's just right. They are a perfect match, especially intellectually, which makes the dialogue come to life.
eupomene's review
5.0
I was desperately in need of a comfort read recently so I continued moving through Lovelace's Betsy stories. I particularly enjoy this one, portraying Betsy's (and loosely, Lovelace's) senior year in high school and her long-awaited romance with Joe Willard. Things don't always go as planned, of course, and when Betsy and Joe quarrel at Christmastime she is able to deal with her unhappiness in a manner worthy of her years (as she puts it). I also love how she retreats to the country during Easter vacation, returning to her writing instead of hiding behind parties and is once again able to open up to Joe. I have no idea how many times I've read these. They are beloved books.