Betty Miles (1) (1928–2018)

Well, that was an embarrassingly devastating re-read. It's been ... a number of decades (which I refuse to think about), since this book was relevant to me, but I couldn't resist when I found a copy. I remembered nothing about it save it was one of those books I read as a pre-teen.

This isn't so much a story, as it is a snapshot of a moment in time that's nothing but constant change for any tween, but poor Annie and Rachel get hit with a trifecta of monumental changes all in a few short show more months. Best friends and neighbours since nursery school, Rachel's parents are divorcing and moving her to NYC. This is a snapshot, as told from the POV of a 12 year old, of the way life's changes are often completely outside your control, happening whether you like it or not.

Honestly, this book made me a weepy, sniffly mess. I can't believe how relevant it is at its core after almost 40 years. There's a conversation on a landline, something most kids won't recognise today, but the rest of this very short story entirely focuses on the things that are timeless: friendship, jealousy, guilt, sorrow, it's all here. There're no quick answers or fixes offered, just a very empathetic narrative that doesn't talk down or preach (although I suspect the writing style would be considered too simplistic in comparison to today's titles). I'd have no hesitation giving this to my nieces if and when it's relevant - along with a packet of tissues, just in case. show less

Here's an interesting look back into time: originally published in 1976, this book tackles the subject of a child whose parents are of different races. When Stuart makes friends with Peter, people in the town who do not think Peter and his family should have moved into their community act out in hateful ways. If you are interested in reading juvenile fiction to observe how our media helps prepare us through time for growth and change, this is an excellent example. If you just want to read a show more good story about some interesting characters, this book will suffice for that also, although I did find Stuart's parents perhaps a bit more open-minded than I remember the real adults of 1976. (But, in my opinion, that's sort of the point because some change was needed in 1976.) show less

Written in the first person with short essays interspersed between chapters. Eleven year old Barbara wants to take over her brother's paper route, but the circulation manager tells her it's against the rules for girls to have paper routes.
She wants to take tennis in PE but one of the teachers tells her that it's only for boys. She has to take "slimnastics" and makes a rude comment about how she needs it.
She befriends Arlene, the only black girl in the neighborhood/school.
An interesting show more trip down memory lane for me as I enjoyed reading Barbara's tale of her fight for equal rights in her own little world.
This book was written in 1974 and feels like my own childhood. There were no girls teams for some of the sports I liked. There was one black girl in our school who fascinated me. show less

I am particular partial to this one because it is the first book my son read all by himself. It is a familiar story with lots of repetition, making it ideal for a beginning reader. It is condensed/simplified with exactly that in mind.