Author: Gary D. Schmidt
Originally published : 2004
Length: 224 pages
Award: Newbery Honor 2005, Printz Honor 2005
Personal Enjoyment Rating: 4.5/5
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (37 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 602 ratings, 4.13 average rating
Length: 224 pages
Award: Newbery Honor 2005, Printz Honor 2005
Personal Enjoyment Rating: 4.5/5
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (37 Customer Reviews)
Goodreads: 602 ratings, 4.13 average rating
There are some authors that for me are "love at first read." Gary D. Schmidt is one of them. I can't drool over Wednesday Wars enough, and I loved this one almost as much. His strength is in combining poignant depth and satisfying complexity with captivating stories. He even manages to weave in some great literary allusions.
Lizzie Bright is also an excellent piece of historical fiction. It is set in 1912 Maine, where Turner Buckminster is not only the new kid in town--he's also the minister's son. In Phippsburg, Maine, conformity is the name of the game. And money. The town elders plan to force the nearby islanders, a poor community founded by former slaves, out of their homes so that they will have more success with tourism. Turner befriends a young islander, Lizzie, and together they engage in a futile attempt to save the island. It's based on the true story of the descruction of Malaga Island.
As an award winning children's book, I have no idea if kids or teens will like it, but I really could care less. I love it, love Schmidt, and plan to read as much of his stuff that I can get my hands on!
Other reviews:
Bermuda Onion
Beth Fish Reads
Literary Fangirl
Any other reviews out there? Let me know.
Lizzie Bright is also an excellent piece of historical fiction. It is set in 1912 Maine, where Turner Buckminster is not only the new kid in town--he's also the minister's son. In Phippsburg, Maine, conformity is the name of the game. And money. The town elders plan to force the nearby islanders, a poor community founded by former slaves, out of their homes so that they will have more success with tourism. Turner befriends a young islander, Lizzie, and together they engage in a futile attempt to save the island. It's based on the true story of the descruction of Malaga Island.
As an award winning children's book, I have no idea if kids or teens will like it, but I really could care less. I love it, love Schmidt, and plan to read as much of his stuff that I can get my hands on!
Other reviews:
Bermuda Onion
Beth Fish Reads
Literary Fangirl
Any other reviews out there? Let me know.
It really is a terrific book. We visit Maine often and stay very near Phippsburg. I can't wait to go back and take photos of the town and maybe row out to the island.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Wednesday Wars. Have you read Trouble? I haven't heard anything about it, but I've been curious.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great. Thanks for the review. :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful music on your blog. I could have just your page open while I got ready for work... I think I might anyway... :)
I love Gary Schmidt too. I knew that you read this one for the read-a-thon and I've been waiting to see if you loved "Lizzie Bright" like I did. I'm glad to see that you did.
ReplyDeleteMy review is here. http://goodcleanreads.blogspot.com/2008/05/lizzie-bright-and-buckminster-boy-by.html
I loved this book too! I listened to the audio version on a recent trip and was totally entranced. Thanks for linking to my review!
ReplyDelete