Tuesday 2/14/12 1 hour Pgs: 11-66 This is the most popular version for the series, it includes comparisons of characters to the book of people in real life, and shows you pictures of them. I'm reading from this one. For some background on the series, here's a YouTube video that a girl did on why she loves the Betsy-Tacy series and what they are about. Betsy Tacy Series Video
A pattern I have noticed throughout all the books is that a new adventure or topic is usually started every chapter, sometimes the climax of the event beginning at the start of the next chapter. The main pattern I have really noticed with this book in particular is that, in almost every chapter, two (occasionally 3 boys) will accompany her everywhere she goes. This pattern is semi-annoying because it is so repetitive and not really fresh/new.
"Curled and flushed, treading on air, a boy on either side, Betsy went out into the crisp September night (Lovelace 108)."
In this scene, Betsy is heading to a get-together of her Crowd, and two of her neighborhood boys are escorting her there. This was one of the main, more important times that these two boys {Caleb [Cab] Edwards and Herbert Humphreys (in real life Jab Lloyd and Helmus Andrews)} walked her somewhere. This is a pattern that is vital to the story to demonstrate Betsy's maturing and her love interests and advenures, but also a repetitive one.
Wednesday 2/15/12 1 hour Pgs: 67-122 The big idea of this book is to show how much Betsy has matured since playing flying games on Hill Street Hill. This book's purpose is to describe Betsy's first year of high school, and what happened during that period of time that was a momentous occurence/event in her life. The goal of this book is to describe the sudden responsibilties Betsy has now that she is older, and help you see why they are important for Betsy to have.
" 'Look at you!' Tacy continued. 'Only in high school a month, and two boys on the string. You'll have this Tony too. See if you don't!' (Lovelace 134)"
In this quote, Tacy is talking about how much Betsy has accomplished already in high school, and how much more fun she's sure to have. "Tony" is a boy that's new in town who Betsy desperately wants to know better. Here, she is explaining what he's like to Tacy. In turn, Tacy is complimenting her talent for boys and encouraging her that she'll get the guy. This quote really sums up what the book is about for me. High school and the changes and challenges it brings and...boys. That's really it. This sentence made me pause and think, "Gee, that really is what this is about." The phrase "only in high school a month" hints to a sudden change or quick handling of a strange situation (which is exactly what Betsy did). Betsy now has to deal with trying to attract and keep boys as well as high school but, according to her friend Tacy, she's doing marvelously well and couldn't be faring better.
Wednesday 2/15/12 1 hour Pgs: 67-122
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