Books: Maud Hart Lovelace challenge!

OK, call me a geek ... but I'm excited about this challenge from "S" at A Library is a Hospital for the Mind ...

In conjunction with the release of the Betsy-Tacy high school reprints from Harper, she has created a MHL Reading Challenge!

My almost 10 yod and I are going to read all the Betsy-Tacy books all the way through her wedding .... and I'm going to check out her other books which "S" assures me are also good reading! 

Won't you join the challenge?
[HT:  Jennifer at BookClub Girl]

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On another note, Jennifer at BookClub Girl is launching a Betsy-Tacy Convert Week ... a chance to get others converted to reading these fabulous Betsy-grown-up books!  These are such fun stories.  Each goes through a year of high school, her "world tour" and then her marriage to Joe.  These are GREAT, coming of age books that are reminiscent of some of the great Hollywood movies like:  Life with Father, Cheaper by the Dozen (the original), or Meet Me in St. Louis -- classic movies where the family is at the core and there is love and faith and trust and all is good (eventually).  This is the kind of world where teens grow up with their families -- with involvement and love and solid values of right and wrong -- the kind of world we need now (even if instead of note-passing during class, there is texting).

Check out these just-reprinted Betsy-Tacy books ... Harper decided to bundle the books, so you get two books for the price of one (and get to really get into reading these!). 

Heaven to Betsy/Betsy In Spite of Herself

Betsy was a Junior/Betsy and Joe

Betsy and the Great World/Betsy's Wedding

The earlier books, with great illustrations by Lois Lenski, include:

Betsy-Tacy

Betsy-Tacy and Tib

Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill

Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown

While we're reading these books, String Bean and I will be knitting up a couple of items I've designed just for this occasion -- a snuggly hood, bright scarves and a lace-edged handkerchief ... based on the following two quotes:

…it was too cold for Betsy and Tacy to play in the snow any more. Their hands inside mittens ached, and their feet inside overshoes grew numb. The wind nipped their faces in their snugly tied hoods; their breath froze on the bright scarves knotted around their necks. (pg. 42)

She got it out of the bureau drawer. One side was filled with cards which said ‘Mrs. Robert Ray’. A little lace-edged handkerchief, smelling of violet perfume, peeked out of the other side. Betsy’s mother carried this case when she went calling. (pg 77)

Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

Illustrated Lois Lenski

Won't you join the Betsy-Tacy Conversion party? 

Zet, Zet, Zetamathians!

Books: amazing books for girls reissued!

Thanks to Melissa Wiley and her book-filled blog, I've heard wonderful news! The powers that be at Harper Collins have realized the importance of bringing back good, traditional books for girls and have decided to re-release the high school years of Betsy-Tacy books.

I love Betsy-Tacy ... Betsy-Tacy and Tib ... Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill ... and Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. For a long time, those were the only ones in print ... but soon, as in the 28th of September, Betsy and Tacy will be back in high school and on book shelves!  I'm so excited to introduce my 9yo daughter to these.  The stories are so lovely ... all about being a girl and friendship and growing up!

Not only are the books coming out, but Jennifer at Book Club Girl has announced a Betsy-Tacy Convert Week to coincide ... go check out her blog and join in the fun and comraderie of being either a Zetamathians or a Philomathians!  But hurry as sign-up for the fun ends on September 4th!  BTW, while you're over at Book Club Girl ... stay a bit and browse around.  Jennifer has great suggestions for books for girls and has dedicated the site to sharing great books, news and tips with girl book clubs!

Here's a link to a great article, Betsy Tacy Books Have High-Profile Following,  about the reissue and why these books are so well-loved!