When Elizabeth Ann is orphaned, Great-Aunt Harriet and Aunt Francis wouldn't dream of letting her live with "those horrid Putney, Vermont cousins," and so she comes to live with them. Every detail of Elizabeth's life is overseen by an over-protective Aunt Francis, making her a self-absorbed, hypochondriac nine-year-old who is afraid of everything. When Great-Aunt Harriet must go away for her health and Aunt Frances goes along to care for her, Elizabeth's life is turned upside down when she is sent to live with the dreaded cousins, Uncle Henry, Aunt Abigail, and Cousin Ann. After traveling for many hours on a train Elizabeth wants to revisit all the details of being forced to part with Aunt Frances and her trip., and instead Uncle Henry directs her to drive the carriage home. With a few guidelines Elizabeth succeeds and has her first taste of independence. While rules at the Putney farmhouse are relaxed, Betsy, as she is now called, is also expected to contribute. Betsy can have all the milk and good food she wants, not having to worry about taking more than her "share," but she also must wash her own dishes and help prepare meals. There are also a number of frightening situations that Betsy is forced to face, such as Shep, the big sheepdog, and walking to school by herself. None is as frightening as when she and her friend, Molly, find themselves left by their ride at the county fair. But by now Betsy has learned to think for herself and comes up with her own solution. Betsy loves the Putney family and farm, but when Aunt Frances writes to Betsy that she is coming to get her, Betsy is forced to make a difficult decision.
The kids and I recently finished reading this together and really enjoyed it. In some ways it reminded me of Anne of Green Gables.
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Monday, January 26, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling
A fun addition to the Harry Potter collection, these tales were quick and easy, but also enjoyable to read. They were a Christmas present to myself, so of course I love them.
The tales themselves were good-- a cooking pot inflicting its owner with all the maladies of the muggle villagers he refuses to heal until he helps them was original and great stuff, but I especially liked Dumbledore's commentary on them. He's hilarious. There is also great insight into the history of the wizarding world, especially the notes on the family history of the Malfoys.
It almost makes me want to dive in and read all 7 books again. Almost, but not quite yet. But they are on the list of "to read again soon."
The tales themselves were good-- a cooking pot inflicting its owner with all the maladies of the muggle villagers he refuses to heal until he helps them was original and great stuff, but I especially liked Dumbledore's commentary on them. He's hilarious. There is also great insight into the history of the wizarding world, especially the notes on the family history of the Malfoys.
It almost makes me want to dive in and read all 7 books again. Almost, but not quite yet. But they are on the list of "to read again soon."
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