I re-read all of the Betsy-Tacy books every summer, and this one is probably most people's favorite. I think this is arguably the most exciting Betsy-Tacy book because (drum roll please Betsy-Tacy fans) Betsy and Joe finally start going together during their senior year of high school! However, everything doesn't always go smoothly. There are obstacles in the way for Betsy and Joe to be a happy couple. One small problem is Joe's job keeps him busy. But Joe is also very independent and has a Plan for his life, and he is not sure where Betsy fits in. Obviously this is not good news for a dating couple if your boyfriend can't see a long-term future for you. Lastly, what Betsy probably feels is the biggest problem is actually her close friend Tony. Tony feels like a brother to all the Ray sisters. He used to like this setup until he started to develop feelings for Betsy. Betsy is too loyal to Tony to say no when he asks for a date. Matters are complicated even more by the fact that Tony hangs out with a reckless crowd if he's not with his peers. I'm not going to give away the ending, but trust me, because even with all these obstacles, the ending is good!

This book is a perfect little romantic story on courting in the early 1900s. To me, this is one of the most romantic stories out there, and I think Betsy and Joe's romance ranks up there with Laura and Almanzo's (Little House). I was jumping up and down for several of the cutest moments between Betsy and Joe, and I know I'm not the only fan who acted that way! If you are a newcomer to the series, I urge you to take a chance and go out of your comfort level if you're not a romance, historical fiction fan. This is a great book/series to start off with for these genres!

This is definitely my favorite book of all time. I have read it every year since I was ten. Love, love, love. Not a one off read however, it is crucial to have read the others in the series prior to this. Betsy Ray might be the love of my life...

Ok, I'm going to try—try—to pull myself together to get somewhat coherent thoughts down. I make no promises.

I was not expecting the angst that cropped up in the second half of this one. Which is a credit to Lovelace's narrative abilities. She sets the book up as we're used to: the frame work of Betsy's school year, the gatherings and holidays that mark each occasion; everything seems to be going well! And then the quarrel with Joe and how everything pans out with Tony and while the narrative still carries on its trademark tone, it is a bit muted.

In the wake of this Betsy is at various times confused, sad, and determined to soldier on. It's here that we really see how much she's matured not only from those stories of her as a child, but from her previous years of HS. All together it presents a realistic conflict, handled deftly, that made me appreciate living in a time where a woman isn't caged by politeness in accepting dates.

I loved the introduction of Mr. Kerr and the side plot of Tib and Betsy's concern for Tacy. Even from afar Julia's presence was felt nicely even if Betsy was trying to figure out how to fill the eldest sister role, learning that her role in the family is entirely unique. And, once more, the characters of the Crowd expands yet it still feels like a close knit group of friends.

So many little things add up to a perfect whole really, but not much can top the deepening relationship between Betsy and Joe. It's been happening for several books and the ease of their friendship in the first half of the story reminds you of that. It also sets up some great tension; as a reader I was just waiting for them to declare they were together already! It gets messy and confusing, of course, but Betsy's recognition of her role in both Joe and Tony's lives, and the ending on the hill makes it all worth it. I loved the mirroring of their first meeting and then something they've never had: a picnic, Joe addressing that he knew Betsy understood where he was coming from and that "I wouldn't give a darn for my old Plan if you couldn't be in it." I actually cried.

Really, about as close to perfection as you can get.

The end of high school for Betsy and Joe. What will the future bring? This series represents a good read that can be recommended without fear of anything inappropriate for readers in the age 10-14 range.

Oh man, this was so exciting! I giggled, I almost cried (had I been a crier the tears would've fallen abundantly) this one made me so happy. Of course I haven't read a Betsy-Tacy yet that didn't make me happy.

Is it possible that these books keep getting gloriously better?! I love how these characters make me laugh!

Update: Reread this in October 2013 for book club (I had also reread it earlier). When Betsy goes to Butternut Center I can not stop smiling! Still my favorite Betsy-Tacy book. Even if it has a love triangle!

But I’m not ready for Betsy to leave high school!

Betsy and Joe finds Betsy starting her senior year of high school – and a possible romance with rival / crush Joe. There’s a quasi-love triangle in the book, but I don’t think I’m giving much away when I say that the title kind of gives away the outcome.

This book lacks the preachy lessons of the previous book (yay!) but the overall plot is rather thin – this is mostly a series of enjoyable scenes that idealize life in a small town in 1910. Which isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy the book – I very much did – but it’s almost too lightweight.

While there are additional books in the Betsy-Tacy series, I’m bummed to come to the end of this chapter in Betsy’s life. Recommended.

At this point, Betsy is less a total embodiment of myself and more someone who is the me I would have wanted to be in high school. But she's still also me, and I love her. And I loved this book. It was so sweet.

It was so fun to re-read this book. My mom read the Betsy-Tacy series growing up, and I carried on the tradition. These books are great glimpse into growing up in the early 1900's. They are also filled a loving family, sweet friend dynamics, and Betsy growing into herself. This book is my favorite of the series because finally Betsy and Joe get together!

What a joy it is to jump back into the world of Deep Valley! These books explore growing up as a teen girl so well and it feels very real. I love the way that even though many times the book tells you how Betsy is feeling, it never feels like lazy writing avoiding showing not telling. It feels very much like Betsy's inner monologue or diary, something that can probably be attributed to the strong references used in Maud's own diaries from when she was in highschool. If you have never read any of the Betsy Tacy books, I highly recommend them as a very cozy read that will transport you to early 1900s and the experiences of growing up which are a fictionalized version of the authors life.

This was one of my favorite high school Betsy-Tacy books. Why? Because we finally get to see more of Joe Willard! Betsy Was A Junior ends with Joe sending Betsy a postcard over the summer, which soon becomes one of her prized possessions. A flurry of letters are then exchanged, and we know that we're in for some fun when everyone's back at school and the summer is over.

See my full review at So Obsessed With!

Not overly superior writing, but a lovely read. There are four books in the middle of this series each of which covers one year of high school and all the way through my high school years at the end of each Summer I read the book that corresponded to the coming year.