Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

I love books, but they rob me of sleep. I've been trying to read a chapter or two each night before I go to bed, but last night I just HAD to finish Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt. I read the last five chapters in one sitting.

This book is based on the true account of the disposal of a group of people living on Malaga Island, off the coast of Phippsburg, Maine. Many of the islanders were poor, black or mixed race. They didn't have jobs, didn't have nice homes, and really didn't own the land upon which they lived.

Phippsburg was a ship-building community, but their business days were running out. They figured the only way they could keep the town going was by becoming part of the tourism trade - building a big hotel that overlooked the granite cliffs, enticing big city folks to come and rest a spell and enjoy their magnificent vistas - which only extended to the coastline of Malaga Island with its eyesores.

The story follows that of fictional character Turner Buckminster, only son of the preacher Phippsburg brought to town. Rev. Buckminster soon finds out that the majority of the people in the church want him to support them in their efforts to "clean out" Malaga Island. Turner, meanwhile, innocently meets Lizzie Bright, a black girl who lives with her preacher grandfather on the Island. Turner visits their home, but the residents of Phippsburg disapprove of the preacher's son cavorting around with a negro girl. The Reverend forbids Turner from seeing her again. But that's not what happens.

What I love most about this book is Schmidt's masterful description. He uses the most interesting phrases to describe the different seasons as they come to Phippsburg. The story is worthwhile, too, but I think it falls into the same category (no pun intended) as One-Eyed Cat which I recently reviewed. They are both books I would recommend, but I'm not sure my students would see the value in them.

There are some shocker moments in this book, but for the most part it moves more slowly than I would tend to prefer. Still, that doesn't stop me from recommending it for your own reading. (But if you're going to read the last 5 chapters all at once, start earlier than 10:30pm!)