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I love this book! I love Betsy and the Rays and the world of Deep Valley! I am discovering them for the first time as an adult and, while part of me is sad I missed out on counting Betsy as a book-chum all these years (I know I would have found her such a kindred spirit in my own teen years), I'm also very glad to be discovering these books at this time in my life -- it is such a joy and a relief from some of the difficult realities in my life right now to slip into Betsy's world of youthful joys and tribulations that are never as terrible as they may seem.
I had several friends who raved about Betsy-Tacy when I was in my early teens. For some reason, I hadn't been introduced to these books as a child. When I picked up the first book to give it a try in more advanced years, I think it was just too young for me and I put it down without realizing that the writing style gains more depth and breadth as the girls grow. (If any one else out there has felt the same way, please don't ignore the series like I did! Skip ahead to the third book, or even the fifth book, and see what you think then!) Not wanting to deprive my own children of a book much beloved by many, I read the first book to read to my oldest (six years old) a few months ago and he loved it. We kept with the series through the fourth book but he lost interest when Betsy goes to high school. I kept on reading on my own and am so glad I am doing so!
I loved "Heaven to Betsy" so much I just wanted to hug it when I had finished. It made me wish (not for the first time) that my own high school years could have been in a time and place like Deep Valley – I probably would have been much more outgoing if I could have enjoyed such innocent fun as Betsy had with “The Crowd” – all that laughter and palling around – and fudge! ;-) and the gatherings at Betsy’s house dancing and singing around the piano. *wistful sigh* I find Betsy a kindred spirit with her love of writing and (as in her previous books) I was impressed with the progressive turn of events and the way Mr and Mrs Ray handled Betsy and Julia wishing to become Episcopalians. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and am happy to finally join the ranks of Betsy-Tacy fans.
I had several friends who raved about Betsy-Tacy when I was in my early teens. For some reason, I hadn't been introduced to these books as a child. When I picked up the first book to give it a try in more advanced years, I think it was just too young for me and I put it down without realizing that the writing style gains more depth and breadth as the girls grow. (If any one else out there has felt the same way, please don't ignore the series like I did! Skip ahead to the third book, or even the fifth book, and see what you think then!) Not wanting to deprive my own children of a book much beloved by many, I read the first book to read to my oldest (six years old) a few months ago and he loved it. We kept with the series through the fourth book but he lost interest when Betsy goes to high school. I kept on reading on my own and am so glad I am doing so!
I loved "Heaven to Betsy" so much I just wanted to hug it when I had finished. It made me wish (not for the first time) that my own high school years could have been in a time and place like Deep Valley – I probably would have been much more outgoing if I could have enjoyed such innocent fun as Betsy had with “The Crowd” – all that laughter and palling around – and fudge! ;-) and the gatherings at Betsy’s house dancing and singing around the piano. *wistful sigh* I find Betsy a kindred spirit with her love of writing and (as in her previous books) I was impressed with the progressive turn of events and the way Mr and Mrs Ray handled Betsy and Julia wishing to become Episcopalians. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series and am happy to finally join the ranks of Betsy-Tacy fans.
