Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

AR Reading Level: 5.9
On the library stacks: Young adult fiction
Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults; Michael Printz Honor Book; ALA Notable/Best Books; SLJ Best Book; Newbery Honor
Recommended for: Grades 7+

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gary Schmidt is my favorite newly discovered author this year. While this book is very different from The Wednesday Wars, it was equally moving in its own way. Based on true events, this is beautifully written novel told with depth and poignancy.

13-year old Turner Buckminster is a minister's son, trying to find his place in Phippsburg, Maine in 1911. Having just recently moved from Boston, Turner has a tough time integrating into the small town dynamics where all eyes are on him watching his every move. But soon he meets Lizzie Bright who lives nearby on Malaga Island, a small settlement of African Americans. Their friendship has serious consequences for Turner, his family, and the entire town.

I really loved this book. It's touching, haunting and full of emotion and heart. It's a coming-of-age story in the way Turner learns to view the world, to question, and to understand the complex nature of the human experience. Everything about this book just seemed so real and genuine. I laughed and I teared up. Highly recommended.

Also reviewed by: Gerbera Daisy Diaries ~ Book Clutter ~ Beth Fish Reads ~ Bermudaonion's Weblog ~ Good Clean Reads ~ Your link here?

Book 63 for 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge, Book 26 of 50 for the RYOB Challenge, Book 29 of 50 for the YA Reading Challenge, Book 46 of 55 for the Countdown Challenge (2004)

Source: BookMooch