Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill

The fun continues in this third installment of Maud Hart Lovelace's wonderful Betsy-Tacy series, which follows the adventures of three young girls - Betsy (Elizabeth) Ray, Tacy (Anastacia) Kelly, and Tib (Thelma) Muller - as they grow up in early twentieth-century Minnesota. In Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill, the three friends celebrate their tenth birthdays, fall in love (all together) with the young King of Spain, and visit Little Syria - the colony of Lebanese immigrants just outside of Deep Valley.

Lovelace's prose is deceptively simple, and the events she chronicles are rarely earth-shattering, but somehow the narrative she creates - of friends and family, of school-life and childhood play - is as compelling as it is show more heartwarming. I was particularly struck by the sub-plot involving Naifa and her family, who are so determined to be good Americans, and - given the autobiographical nature of the series - wondered if the author had a young Lebanese friend as a girl.

All in all, I find that the more I read of Betsy, Tacy and Tib, the more I want to read! My only complaint thus far is that each story ends far too quickly! show less

Well, the books I've been trying to read were so awful, I took up the third in the Betsy-Tacy series. Now, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib are 10. Being 10 is special, because one now has two digits for one's age, which means grown up. Only people like my late mother ever get to have three digits.

Anyway, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib fall in love with the young king of Spain and decide one of them should be queen. They choose Tib. But, their older sisters, Julia and Katie want to have a queen for themselves, the Queen of Summer. So, there's a huge fight.

Somewhere along the way, Betsy, Tacy, and Tib make friends with a little girl in Syria Town, Naifi. It seems there is an enclave of Syrian refugees in their valley. Eventually, they learn that Naifi is of show more "blood royal", back in her country anyway. But, she's come to America to be an American, so they must contrive to make her coronation a typical all-American celebration with flags and singing the Star Spangled Banner and so forth. Imagine that! A century ago, we accepted refugees into our country, made them feel welcome, and helped integrate them into society.

It's all rather a heart-warming story. I hope soon to find something more adult that is worth reading, but if I keep coming up with crap, I'll gladly revisit Betsy, Tacy, and Tib in their next adventure, during which they'll be 12. show less

Probably my favorite so far. These little girls certainly are growing up fast. They're more charming than cute now as they explore issues of patriotism, bigotry, vanity, and of course family and friendship. I love how all that comes through with grace and subtlety, and the best part of these stories is just the pleasure of reading about their adventures and joy.

Another great Betsy-Tacy book! This one features a community of Syrian immigrants, and there is a beautifully illustrated scene towards the end of the book that had me wiping away tears. I love how Maud Hart Lovelace chose to honor that community! So unexpected and touching.

Betsy, Tacy, and Tib can't wait to be ten. After all, getting two numbers in your age is the beginning of growing up - exciting things are bound to happen. And they do! The girls fall in love with the King of Spain, perform in the School Entertainment, and for the first time, go all the way over the Big Hill to Little Syria by themselves. There Betsy, Tacy, and Tib make new friends and learn a thing or two. They learn that new Americans are sometimes the best Americans. And they learn that they themselves wouldn't want to be anything else.

Betsy, Tacy, and Tib can't wait to be ten. After all, getting two numbers in your age is the beginning of growing up—exciting things are bound to happen. And they do! The girls fall in love with the King of Spain, perform in the School Entertainment, and for the first time, go all the way over the Big Hill to Little Syria by themselves. There Betsy, Tacy, and Tib make new friends and learn a thing or two. They learn that new Americans are sometimes the best Americans. And they learn that they themselves wouldn't want to be anything else.

9/2012 Oh, Bob Ray, how I love you. I always refer to my own father as "practically perfect" because he's not Bob Ray. I love this book almost as much as I love Bob Ray. Everyone's personality is here, foreshadowing so much (just like Tib!) though this time through I did wonder when Dave's mom got her hearing back.


12/2009 This story finds Betsy, Tacy and Tib at ten years old. Their world is getting wider, and they are learning new things. This is the first time that the Lebanese settlement of Little Syria is mentioned in the series, and it's nicely done. Cultural differences are examined in a way that pre-teens will understand, and more importantly, care about. Relationships with elder siblings are handled with what appears to this show more only child to be truth and, well, beauty. Another lovely chapter in the Betsy-Tacy story.


I don't know how to add the edition I have, which is the original, titled Over The Big Hill. It was later changed to Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill help people associate it with the series. show less