Heaven to Betsy, Betsy- Tacy.

I'm only six pages into the book.




     The Betsy-Tacy series is no longer new in my household. Not only is each book worn and battered, but by now, I have the story memorized. Betsy-Tacy is not the kind of book you read once, and then stop. Although you may get everything you can out of it the first time, they fun connection of reading it makes you want to do that over and over again. Heaven to Betsy is a particular favorite for me in the series. It truly stand out to me, because it's the first book where Betsy is finally a teen. In this book, she's maturing in looks and personality, and going off to high school. Also, the thickness of the books increase greatly from here on in the series.
      Although the story is fiction, it's based of the authors childhood life in Mankato, Minnesota, in the early 1900s. In the story, this town is called Deep Valley, and is a place Betsy grew up in and loves. In Heaven to Betsy, Betsy pursues her aspiring dream to be a write, works to improve her social life, and still keep the strong family bonds she has remaining.
      The book starts off in a hot, dusty, miserable farm where Betsy is visiting over the summer. Although she is "wretchedly, desperately, nightmarishly homesick," as the book tells it, she is determined to keep this a secret. Although Betsy is very pessimistic  about herself, she is really a very cheerful character. Her personality is very fun, happy, yet dramatic. Even if it instigates trouble, Betsy's main priority is to enjoy herself. So to be alone on this boring, dusting farm, it's hell. The miserable heat definitely expresses not only common summer weather, but Betsy's feelings.
      But the Betsy Ray i'm describing is incomplete. How complete can someone be, without their absolute best friend described as well? The second part of Betsy Ray is her best friend, and the girl who lives across the road back in Deep Valley, Tacy (Anastacia)  Kelly. Although they might as well be glued to the hip, Tacy is very different from Betsy. Where Betsy is bursting, bubbling, happy and opinionated, Tacy is more timid and shy. For example, while Betsy will soon have multiple crushes when she enters high school, Tacy has no interest in Boys yet. Although there might be a Tacy deep inside her that is jealous of Betsy's likable humor, i doubt it. And even if there was, Tacy would never tell.
        Yet, there is even more i'm forgetting. Tib. Although Tib recently moved to Milwaukee, Tib will always be a close friend. Tib is petite and cheerful. Tacy, Betsy and Tib have been the trio since book one. But now, Heaven to Betsy, book 5, everything changes.