Lizzie Bright and the Buckminister Boy

Author: Gary D. Schmidt

Publishing information: (Yearling, April, 25, 2006, Young adult)

Number of Pages: 219 pages

Genre: Novel- Historical fiction 

Summary of Plot

This book is about a minister’s son who moves to a new town. Within six hours of moving to Phippsburg, Maine, he already doesn’t think he can stand it. In the beginning of the book he gets teased by other children because he plays baseball differently. He does not find it easy to make friends. Throughout the book, his personality and perspective of life changes. His impulse for fighting remains the same throughout the book.

This book is also about a black girl named Lizzy Bright. She is the granddaughter of a reverend. Malaga Island is her home. She and Turner, the minister’s son, meet; she is a major part of why Turner changed.

            One day Turner decides to throw stones at Mrs. Cobb’s House. As a punishment, of his father, he is forced to read to her. Through the book Turner got himself into fists fights, resulting in blood stained white starched shirts. One time he decided to wipe off the blood when he got to Mrs. Cobb’s house. He thought she was asleep, so he took off everything except his underwear, but she saw him. His punishments were increased, and rumors emerged. In addition to reading, He also got forced into playing the piano for her three days of a week.

Mrs. Cobb has a very important need to make sure her last words are written down. She feels her time is near, so she gave turner a pen and paper to write them down with. One day she thought she was going to die so she said this eloquent line of last words, but she didn’t die. What turned out to be her last words, was regarding her getting some Ginger Ale

In the book, Turner’s father died of an accident, Mrs. Cobb died of old age, but those were not all the deaths. The residents of Malaga Island were cleared. Lizzy gets taken away to an institute, because of racial issues. She died ten days after arriving there. 

My Reaction to the book:

            I had mixed emotions through this book. Some parts were funny, others were serious. I found the Mrs. Cobb story line funny. However, at the end of the book it was sad when Lizzie bright got taken away to an institute and died. It has a very strong message.

Potential Problems:

            Racism issues
            Turner takes off most of his clothes in Mrs. Cobb’s house one day.

Death

Recommendations:

            This book is a Newbery Honor Award. It contains a powerful story, based off of true experiences. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. This book will be a good book for people with an interest in history to read.