This was the cutest one so far!

seven by ts

This was my favorite Betsy-Tacy book growing up. As a kid, I was fascinated that there were other ways to get to the places I was familiar with. The canal trail near our house that came out at all these different places we normally drove to felt like a magic portal. So, it would make sense that this book was magical to me also. Betsy, Tacy and Tib stumble upon a mysterious part of town, become friends with the people there, and grow to understand that the world is larger than their own small circle.

The exciting age of 10 for Betsy, Tacy and Tib. They visit a Lebanese settlement called a Little Syria, discovered patriotism, and have a talent show at school. Quite a bit more plot than the previous books.

I didn't read this Betsy-Tacy book till I moved to California and had a renewed interest in the life of Maud Hart Lovelace after finding the friendship bench in Claremont.
I feel it may be her best story. Rather then being a series of vignettes, as most of her books are, it tells a lovely concise story about the Syrian refugee camp that the girls visit. And what they find there is what one finds at any Minnesota refugee camp: pure good hearted Christians who take Betsy, Tacy and Tib into their care, teach them about hookahs and figs and goats and Arabic, and all other good things that come from Syria. And in turn the girls crown their little Naifi an "American Queen" and read her the Gettysburg Address and sing her patriotic songs. Obviously.

This book was wonderful. Admittedly, I was nervous when I first read about "Little Syria," being used to having to edit on the fly- or have explanations ready- when racial issues come up in older books. Betsy, Tacy, & Tib's friendship with Naifi and their growing respect for the Syrian immigrants was so well written and unexpected. I continue to be delighted by these books, as do my kids.

My kids and I equally loved this book. It is sweet and innocent while also containing real life issues like sibling arguments! I appreciate how this book had both the themes of caring for refugees and immigrants, and being patriotic and grateful to be American.

Unironically this was pretty cool

In my childhood this was 5 stars no doubt. I don't think I have aged as well as the book has...? Or perhaps it's the reverse... either way. Still a great book and great series. I am enjoying re-reading the series as I can sneak it into my busy days!

Really fun, light, everyday life read aloud, enjoyed with my girls aged 5-13. We laughed out loud. Also, unexpectedly touching interactions with the local middle eastern Christian refugees.

I wonder how many kids read the Foreword by Judy Blume and the notes at the end of the book. Now that I know the story is semi-autobiographical, I understand why the books in this series seem so real.

Here's an example of a paragraph that put a smile on my face:
"The sooner we don't see them the better, I think," said Betsy gloomily. "Gee whiz!" she added. Betsy very seldom said "Gee whiz!" She was too religious. But it was all she could think of to express her feelings now.
("Them" being their older sisters.)

The closing sentences reflect the upbeat tone of the books:
[Betsy and Tacy and Tib] soon stopped being ten years old. But whatever age they were seemed to be exactly the right age for having fun.

Re-reading the series with Birdy.