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September 6, 2007
BILLIE STANDISH WAS HERE by Nancy Crocker
All of us have friends. Most of them are about the same age as ourselves, but sometimes you meet someone wonderful, a person with a zest for life and has the wisdom of the ages. Lydia Jenkins was that kind of individual, and William "aka Billie" Marie Standish was lucky to find her in the novel, BILLIE STANDISH WAS HERE.
With the possibility of flooding, most of the town of Cumberland moved out leaving a few brave souls behind. Two of the houses still occupied were the Standishes and the Jenkins. Billie, eleven, was forced to entertain herself, because she had no friends. The two girls in her grade ignored her; her parents were too busy working to save the levee and wished Billie was a boy; and the rest of the community was gone. A chance walk through the empty town and this unique friendship would begin.
Mrs. Jenkins did not live alone; her adult son, Curtis, lives with her. Billie is uncertain about Curtis, and her feelings are not wrong. Curtis attacks Billie, so Miss Lydia and Billie share a secret that bonds them for life.
Miss Lydia is Billie's teacher on home economics, world events, life and love. It is a beautiful relationship between a child and a woman and then two women. I wish everyone could have a friend, a confidant, and teacher, like Miss Lydia.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, GRADE 9 AND UP.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at September 6, 2007 10:51 AM