I asked Lucy which Betsy book I should start with if I want to skip all the easy reading chapter books. She recommended Heaven to Betsy which is by Maud Hart Lovelace.
Maybe it's because I'm older and bitter and jaded, but Betsy really bugged me this time around. The setting is freshman year at Deep Valley High School. The plot revolves around parties, socializing, hair-dos, clothes, parties, crushes, parties, etc. At one point, Betsy very earnestly prays for her freckles to go away and for boys to like her.
Yes, this is all true to the fourteen year old mind, but why write a book about it? Minor plot points that I think do make this book worthwhile are Betsy's and Julia's conversion to the Episcopal Church, and Betsy's struggle (and failure) to balance her social life and her studies.
I know Betsy will mature in the next books, but I really struggled to finish this one.
There is quite a bit of fooling around with Ouija boards. Betsy does truly believe what she is told on the board, specifically the chapter titled "Trouble" in which she loses her heart's desire, the wicked Tony to Presbyterian Christian Endeavor president, Bonnie. You think she would learn that messing around with Ouija is bad news. There are other silly superstitious practices too, like counting apple seeds to find out if a boy likes you, walking backwards down the stairs looking in a mirror to see your true love, etc.
The pictures are wonderful line drawing of puffed sleeves and pompadours. As Lucy pointed out, "The pictures make everyone look so pretty, but the photos in the back of the book show everyone was kind of funny looking." Take that to heart dear Lucy. Images usually lie.
Well, Jill is having a rough morning so must run...
Linky uppy!
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