Katie John

If I had read this book when I was younger, I would have been OBSESSED! Katie John is a tiny version of younger me, flaws and all. Constant scheming and never ending energy to follow through with the schemes, always underestimated by adults, a tendency to get into outrageous pickles, and a deep, abiding love for old houses. It’s me to a tee!

Tone-wise, it’s super similar to the Betsy-Tacy series, so readers who like those books are likely to enjoy this one, also. And it’s got some seriously pleasant cozy vibes, too! Katie John’s world is a feel-good place to retreat to when the real world gets too stressful. Definitely picking up the next book in the series!

An old-fashioned (published 1960) summer story of a girl and her parents who move to Missouri to sell Katie's great-aunt Emily's house, only to fall in love and stay. Katie isn't happy about the move at first, but makes friends with Sue, explores the house, learns more about Aunt Emily, and gets into all kinds of minor trouble (e.g. getting stuck in a dumbwaiter). There are a few mentions of Indians (e.g. playing cowboys and Indians) but otherwise it holds up fairly well.

See also: Betsy-Tacy

Recommended by someone in the Adults Who Read Children's Books group (Ethel? Nancy?)

Katie thought..."The library," Katie decided. "We'll ask at the library. Librarians are always answering questions." (66)

Sometimes it seemed the meaner people were, show more the more they got their own way. (71) show less

Ten-year-old Katie John Tucker did not look forward to the summer she and her parents were to spend in the enormous old house in the small southern town. She hadn't wanted to leave her friends, and she wished that fall would come quickly.

But in spite of all her gloomy predictions, Katie John had a wonderful summer. With her new friend, Sue Halsey, she explored the old house and found it full of exciting surprises. The girls founded a society to improve people, and "improved" Sue's infuriating older sister with amazing results.

The summer flew by and fall arrived all too soon. Playing a more responsible and adult role than ever before, Katie John was instrumental in deciding her family's future.

I would have loved this when I was 8 or 9. I would have identified very strongly with Katie's friend Sue, who is more sensible & more feminine, but not a 'fraidy cat. The adventures are mostly pretty simple & tame, but Calhoun makes them sound exciting. Perhaps that's because this is a memoir, as the dedication implies?

I think that this could still be enjoyed today if re-packaged (think of the appeal of [b:The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy|266904|The Penderwicks A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy|Jeanne Birdsall|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320508900s/266904.jpg|2564478]), and I would like to read the sequels.

Re-read. I love this book. Katie John c'est moi! Goofy, ham-handed, good-natured and well-meaning, she blunders her way through her 10th year in this sweetly nostalgic story. The supporting characters are a joy, too.

I read this book again and again as a child. Katie John is so real that I felt I knew her. The story is simple but never dull, the illustrations (by Paul Frame) are just right, and the ending is satisfying and believable. There are three sequels.

This was one of my all time favorite books of childhood. My mother read it aloud to me and I can still remember every bit of what it felt like to be in the world of Katie John.