Okay, so I at least remember that this book was really good. I read it a over a week ago and I've been really busy so I kind have a lot to remember for reviewing.

This book was just as childish (in a good way) as the first, but with more complex and mature struggles, ideas, and resolutions than the first books. I thought that Betsy, Tacy, and Tib really grew up in this story, they now had a desire for power, love, importance, and beauty. Their quarrel over whether Julia or Tib could be queen was really story-altering. For the first time, the girls tried to get votes and they experienced political rifts. Then there was the whole "King of Spain-oh, I think I'm in love with him" thing. The girls really began to sort out their feelings for the first time. They didn't really like him, they just admired him and were interested in his story. They had no idea what love was, they were simply trying to identify if they loved him or not. The girls even sent the king a letter! Silly little girls!

These girls were so sweet and cute. I really loved reading this book in particular. It was bittersweet to watch the girls grow up and begin to try and understand bigger things and adventures beyond the safety of Hill Street. It will be even harder to watch them grow up to high school, but I think that after that it might get easier. Not really. *WEEP* *TEARS AND SNOTTY HANKIE*

I definitely liked this Betsy-Tacy book the most of the three that I’ve read; instead of just one-off childhood vignettes (like the first two books), here we have something resembling an actual plot that stretches from chapter to chapter and character growth! Because of this, Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill amounts to a memorable overall story rather than just a memorable handful of moments. Some of the more “patriotic” elements can read as a bit cringe-worthy nowadays, but they’re just a mark of the time that the book was written.

It’s seriously unfair that poor Tib gets her name cut out of the book titles from here on out, though. She participates in all of the activities with Betsy and Tacy; she climbs the Big Hill just like they do! Several times, she actually takes the most active role of the three! Poor forgotten Tib; the publishers did her dirty.

The book is part of a series of three little best friends who live in the same neighborhood in a small town of Minnesota in the early 1900's. In each new book, the girls grow older (they are now 10). In a time when little girls could safely roam their neighborhood, these three venture further away and have some adventures that include meeting a poor little girl who lives in a nearby community of Syrians immigrants. The three girls learn these poor people are much like all Americans, they came to America to be free from oppression and religious persecution. Actually, the poor little girl is of royal descent, and all that makes for a very good story and a huge celebration that was very American for all.

I've had to adjust my ratings of the first two books in comparison with this one. I get that this story has themes that might make people roll their eyes or whatever, but this was truly relevant for today! Like...almost scarily so, haha. It was so sweet and I enjoyed it wholeheartedly. Don't mind my rating and re-rating as I continue on with the series and see how the books compare against each other. I really did enjoy this story. It gave me lots of the warm-fuzzies I've now come to expect from these books.

3.5-Finished another book in the first Betsy-Tacy Treasury tonight. I’ve been reading them to my girls and we concluded that “Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill” was fun and good, but not quite as well liked as the previous two books. One daughter said that she thought parts were funny and really liked the character Naifi. I honestly just love how different things were described back then. I love the cat duet, the becoming queen duel, Little Syria, and just childhood adventures in general.

Some parts of this book (the 3rd of the series) show how dated it is, but there is still some relevance for today’s events. I enjoyed the part about welcoming immigrants with such ceremony. That was lovely and a great example for children AND adults.
Overall we enjoyed the book, but we aren’t anxious to find the others from the series.

Turning ten is fun in this Betsy, Tacy and Tib story. Addressing each other by their real names, falling in lovlove for the first time and writing a letter to a real prince are part of the fun. I thought I might enjoy this one more with the recent reread as it touches on immigration issues. Set in 1902, this story about immigrants from Syria (Lebannon) is as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1942.

Update 2022
I forgot just how much I loved this one! There are so many fun and heartwarming parts in it. So far this is my favorite of the series (as of Mar. 6 still have not read past Heaven to Betsy) just for the chapter about the girls wanting something to remember each other by. And I also love the chapter about the time when they created their club, T.C.K.C. I wonder how much of this book is true. Wonderful, wonderful series!

Original
Just loving this series!

This was a cute little book! I enjoyed it!

I don't think it was my favorite out of the series though... ;)

I did feel like Betsy, Tacy, and Tib were younger than 10 though, is that just me? It was still a funny book!! :)

And when they fell in love with the king!!! HAHAHAHA XD

I'm liking that they're getting older, can't wait for the next book! :D

I rate it 4 stars!

I'm now I'm happy because this was a quick read and helps me get more books read towards my goal which I am horribly behind on :P

The Betsy-Tacy stories are timeless. The series starts when Betsy invites Tacy to her 5th birthday party. Tacy has just moved across the street from Betsy, and they begin a lifelong friendship. They have the most carefree childhood you can imagine, and play and have creative adventures outside that I think kids today can only dream of. The series follows them into adulthood. I love how even though they lived in a very different time period for women, the characters are encouraged to develop serious passions and interests that they eventually pursue professionally. Betsy was always writing stories and received a lot of encouragement for her skill and imagination. Her sister became an opera singer. Her friend Tib becomes an accomplished advertising professional. Tacy is a bit more traditional, but is also a talented singer. All are encouraged to get an advanced education and learn as much about the world as possible. One of my favorites from the series is "Betsy and the Great World". Betsy goes to Europe because her father thinks it would be a great experience for a writer. She studies German and Italian and meets interesting people. In the early 1900s in Europe, there were not a lot of modern conveniences. She didn't get to bathe very often and one part that made an impression on me was when she finally got to take a bath! I still occasionally re-read these books; I find them very comforting!

Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill is the third book in the timeless Betsy-Tacy-Tib series. In this latest chapter in the trio's childhood, the girls begin to develop with age and maturity. First the girls turned ten which is a big deal for them, especially for Betsy. They finally have two numbers for their age. The second big moment for the girls is they develop their very first crush on the newly annointed King of Spain named Alphonso. And the third pivotal moment in their young lives is when they meet a community of Syrians in Deep Valley who has not exactly been greeted warmly by its natives. It is so much fun watching the girls grow up in this series. The tone of Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill is slightly more somber yet realistic than the previous two books since it briefly touches on prejudice and unrequited first love.

The Betsy-Tacy books were highly autobiographical and Lovelace perfectly captures the innocence and magic of childhood. If you read this book and love it, please read the series. It will be books that you will never forget as long as you live. I also recommend the "Betsy-Tacy Companion" which is an amazing book that disects each book and compares it to it's real-life counterparts, including pictures of the "real" Betsy, Tacy, Tib and all the gang.

I had the pleasure of visiting "Deep Valley" (aka Mankato, Minnesota) for a Betsy-Tacy convention back in 1996. It was incredible to step back in time and enter Betsy's world. We toured the city and I was actually able to step foot in "Tacy's" bedroom and sit on the famous bench at the top of the big hill. It was truly a life-altering experience. I have to thank my sister, Julie for introducting these books to me and changing my life.

It's obvious how much these books mean to me. My first born child was named Tacy Kelly Maloy. Please read and enjoy. They are a treasure!

This was the first of the Betsy-Tacy books that wasn't just snippets of life for these girls. This was a concise story with a beginning, middle, and end. I really liked it and loved the acceptance these little girls showed the new immigrants in their small town. It really is beautiful what a little kindness and love can do in a community.