LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY by Gary D. Schmidt

 

It's 1911 in Phippsburg, Maine. Turner Buckminster III is the new kid in town. Coming from Boston there's a bit of an adjustment to be made. To complicate matters his father is the new minister in town so expectations are high for young Turner. He soon learns that every eye is watching him and reporting his every misdemeanor. That's how he finds himself reading to old Mrs. Cobb and playing hymns on her ancient organ.

When the local boys don't welcome Turner into their crowd, he turns to exploring. He finds a settlement of former slaves living on a nearby island. A girl named Lizzie befriends Turner, and together they have adventures that take Turner's mind off his other problems.

Rev. Turner is drawn into a plan by the town business owners to evict the island inhabitants from their longtime homes to make way for economic progress. Turner is furious that his father seems to agree with the idea of sending Lizzie and the island families packing. How can the town be allowed to determine who lives where? 

For me author Gary D. Schmidt's LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY is reminiscent of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Like Scout and Jem, Turner doesn't always understand the workings of the adult world as he observes his father's dealings with church deacons and his true feelings about what they expect of him. Intense description and often witty dialogue will captivate readers looking for a glimpse at the past.