Gary D. Schmidt

After reading and loving multiple stories by Schmidt, I decided that when I had the chance, I’d collect whatever of his books I could find when thrift shopping. Lizzie Bright is a book I picked up at one stage, but unfortunately, my first copy had a lot of distracting annotations in it, so I wasn’t able to get into the story. Eventually, I found another annotation-free copy, and got to enjoy it.

In my opinion, this isn’t one of Schmidt’s best books, but there was much to love in these show more pages anyway!

Schmidt does an excellent job of striking a balance between humor and gravity. This story as a whole is generally sad and/or hard, but I found myself laughing even when the situation was difficult because of the masterful way Schmidt told the story.

For example, I was tickled in the first few pages when Turner first thinks about “lighting out for the Territories”. That’s a phrase that appears multiple times through the book, and always at just the right time—it’s a ludicrous thought, but something that helped Turner get through a difficult situation, and it was perfect for the story. Or there’s the old lady who is determined to have the grandest-ever last words; it’s a theme throughout the book, and the resolution to that one was surprising and hilarious!

Other parts of this book aren’t so easy. Lizzie’s story is heartbreaking, and I loved watching her befriend Turner even though she and her family were going through a rough time. The racism she and her community experienced was terrible, and Schmidt does a great job at showing us the effects of racism not just on those who receive the injustice, but also on those who embrace wrong attitudes.

If you’re looking for a gripping, heart-touching historical read that will make you think, I’d recommend you read this book. It’s an unusual story, and not the easiest to read, but well worth taking the time for. Also, be sure to read the author’s note at the end—I found it fascinating to see how he used historical facts as the framework for this story. show less

What a completely unexpected delight! The book starts off with a 7th grader who thinks his teacher hates him. I wasn’t that interested in the premise. What develops from that is so much more. A boy who discovers Shakespeare, the power of kindness and standing up to bullies, first crushes, and finding yourself, all against the backdrop of the Vietnam war and the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and MLKJ. It’s a surprisingly powerful little gem and Mrs. Baker will forever be one of my show more favorite literary teachers now. show less

It is not surprising that I rate this book so highly, given the fact that Gary Schmidt's books The Wednesday Wars and Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy were two of my top reads in 2009.

Once again Schmidt wove magic with his astute understanding of human nature and his fantastic writing ability that hooks you in and keeps you riveted from the first to the last page.

Using Rabbinical stories, tellings of Hasidic traditions, folktales and actual recollections from the concentrations camps, show more Schmidt uses the voice of young Mara, who from the cold, fearful barracks, weaves stories at night to bring a glimmer to the darkness of the horror all around.

While not an easy book to read, it is indeed a subject that needs to be told again and again. Schmidt's delivery packs a breathtaking punch, while also astounding the reader with stories of hope and the depth of faith and fortitude of six million Jews who died at the hands of an evil power.

When I finished the book, I once again marveled at the strength not only of those who perished, but of those who survive and know the depth and resiliency of a wonderful faith with the supreme understanding that love is indeed the highest power.

Of interest is the back of the book which contains the actual resources Schmidt chose to use as a reference for Mara's stories. show less

Here is a story that will break the ice in your soul, to paraphrase Franz Kafka. This terrific YA book was a 2005 Newberry Honor book, winner of the Michael L. Prinz Award, and received numerous other honors as well, which I’ll list below. Additionally, it has a lot in common with the book Alligator Bayou, also based on a horrific true story. To me, this book was much more affecting.

As I was reading, I was tempted to think the story, set in 1912 in Phippsburg, Maine, was good but show more exaggerated, and that the events described were a bit too ridiculous to really be believable. You can’t imagine how sick I felt to discover through some investigation, that the facts are actually even worse than those portrayed in this fictional treatment of a racist nightmare!

Some of the characters are fictional, such as the young boy who narrates the tale: Turner Buckminister, the 13-year-old son of the new preacher brought to town by Phippsburg's First Congregational Church. A young black girl based on a real person whose name was never recorded, is given the identity of Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl as bright as her name who becomes fast friends with Turner. Lizzie lives on Malaga Island, a small poor community off the coast of Phippsburg founded by former slaves.

The white residents of Phippsburg consider Malaga an immoral cesspool and more importantly, a barrier to developing the island for an anticipated booming tourist trade. The Reverand Buckminister, Turner’s father, is pressured into helping rid the area of this “scourge.” The town leader, Mr. Stonecrop, says - untruthfully - to the Reverand:

"You’ve seen the squalor on Malaga. There’s isn’t a soul on that island who isn’t a drunk or a thief. … All they know is living off others.”

Lizzie's family and friends are told they must leave Malaga Island. Turner tries to intervene and save them, but he has no idea about the dark forces with which he is dealing. The disaster that ensues will break your heart.

Evaluation: I think this is essential reading, for adults as well as teens. It is a wonderful story of coming of age, but more importantly, it brings to light an incredible and shameful part of the history of this country that should be illuminated, not only as a memorial to those who passed through this hell, but also as the sad reply to those who say "this could never have happened here." show less