Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
By Gary D. Schmidt
Clarion Books, 2004. 219 pgs. Young Adult

When Turner Buckminster's family moves to Phippsburg, Maine, where his father has accepted the position as the town's new minister, things don't start out so well for him. He doesn't exactly hit it off with the other kids. But then Turner meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl his own age who lives on nearby Malaga Island, and Lizzie teaches him all about clams and how to hit any baseball that comes near him. Just as things are looking better for Turner, he realizes that the town elders are planning to get rid of the Malaga Island settlement--by ridding the town of the black families who live on the island, they hope to introduce the tourism industry by building hotels. With the threat of Lizzie losing her home looming over them and Turner's father forbidding Turner to go the island, Turner has to figure out how he can help his friend.

It's no wonder this book is both a Printz Honor and Newbery Honor selection. Gary D. Schmidt shares a beautiful story that is simultaneously touching, sad, and hopeful. Turner is sweet, Lizzie is a jewel, and the side characters really round out this book. In addition to great characters, this coming-of-age historical fiction novel contains beautiful language and a satisfying conclusion.

AE