Not only is Turner Buckminster the son of the new minister in a small Maine town, he is shunned for playing baseball differently than the local boys. Then he befriends smart and lively Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl from Malaga Island, a poor community founded by former slaves. Lizzie shows Turner a new world along the Maine coast from digging clams to rowing a boat next to a whale. When the powerful town elders, including Turner’s father, decide to drive the people off the island to set up a tourist business, Turner stands alone against them. He and Lizzie try to save her community, but there’s a terrible price to pay for going against the tide.
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"I think this would appeal to boys and girls age 11 or so and up. There is interesting historical context, magnificent word pictures, and strong character development given the constraints of a young person's book. The overall lesson to me is that hate can kill, so consider kinder alternatives when there is widespread hardship."
— Meepspeeps (4 out of 5 stars)
“Schmidt takes his time with his tale, spinning gloriously figurative language that brilliantly evokes both place and emotion. Turner himself is a wonderfully rich character, his moral and intellectual growth developing naturally…There can be no happy ending to this story, but the telling is both beautiful and emotionally honest, both funny and piercingly sad.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“A powerful tale of friendship and coming-of-age…[A] haunting combination of fact and fiction has a powerful and tragic climax.”
— Booklist (starred review)“An evocative novel…with fully developed, memorable characters…[A] fascinating, little-known piece of history.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)“Schmidt fictionalizes a true event…Vividly realized…Fully credible…Subtly drawn.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“A rich novel…A drama that examines the best and worst of humanity.”
— Horn Book" the beginning was slow for me but by the end...whew. emotionally draining. very beautiful. "
— Abby, 2/8/2014" This is based on true events that are really awful. Although it's sad, it has a few bright moments (pardon the pun). I think by the end, it left me feeling hopeful about humanity. "
— Katy, 2/7/2014" I often don't enjoy books about prejudice, intolerance, greed, and such because they seem to want to just hit you over the head with themes. This book is different. He writes a story that is beautiful and lyrical as well as full of meaning. "
— Charlou, 2/3/2014" Haley was suppose to read this for her reading group. She only got into about the 20th page. I started it and really liked it. Some heavy subject matter. Great read "
— Jwolfe5, 12/15/2013" Book about Prejudice and Discrimination "
— Marissa, 12/14/2013" This was a great book about coming of age in a time when blacks were separated from whites even in the North. I really love how the story was told, although it is quite sad "
— Kendra, 12/3/2013" Beautiful writing and based on a true story. Fun YA read. "
— Jenalyn, 12/1/2013" Overall, this book is satisfying. It describes the problem of discrimination, and elaborates the environment in detail. To be completely honest, the beginning was slightly too slow and the ending was a little rushed. "
— Rachel, 11/3/2013" This books contains the sad history of Malaga island. It is sad at the end, but it was okay to read. "
— Byun00159branksome.asia, 9/8/2013" Slow, but well-written with likable characters "
— Heather, 7/24/2013" Somber historical fiction about the boy who doesn't fit in & makes his situation worse by befriending a local pariah. Complex themes make this award winning. "
— Briana, 7/22/2013" It is really boring i mean it might be a good storyline but it is boring and has weird grammar. "
— Lushyloo13, 2/17/2013" This book is very ethical and efficient for students like me to read. It contains adventure and exciting story that kids from elderly can all join. I want to recommend this book to all of the people who is interested in racism, and people who likes an adventure genre. "
— Seungmi, 6/29/2012" I like this children's author. Most of his books are both entertaining, and thought provoking. The ending to this one is really sad. But, it is taken from an historical event. And, history is not always happy. "
— Lauralee, 6/26/2012" This book had WAY too many deaths. I mean what in the world!!! I would have given it a higher rating but it was just too much in the end and the book did nothing to inspire me but just made me feel all depressed "
— Kerry, 4/19/2012" What a great book! A subtle examination (in a historical setting) of some eternal questions - about the meaning of friendship, family, and community. "
— CAO, 3/26/2012" good story of youth struggles with tradition, friends, parents. inspiring story of change, acceptance, being true to self.... "
— Misty, 2/27/2012" I laughed, I cried . . . a really good book! It should've received the newberry medal instead of honor! "
— Jillybean, 10/15/2011" I think it is a good book to read. It is a little bit hard to understand what's going on sometimes, but it is a good story based on the Malaga Island. I am still reading this book and it is very good so far. "
— Yeongju, 6/8/2011" Beautifully written coming-of-age novel. "
— Dina, 5/17/2011" Maybe if it hadn't won a Newbery Honor, I wouldn't have read it, and then I wouldn't have cried... "
— Diana, 5/16/2011" Excellent! Challenging historical fiction novel set in Maine. Contemporary issues that still ring true today. "
— Lanny, 4/28/2011" Lizzie Bright and the Buckminister Boy was absolutely phenomenal. I didn't like it in the beginning, but as I got deeper into the book it got more exciting and entertaining. "
— Gazelle, 4/27/2011" Don't really like this book, but I think it shows what we have to do and racism "
— Mike, 4/11/2011" A book I read for English Literature. I don't think that it's that good of a book, until the late middle part of the book, it starts to get better. "
— Marcus, 3/23/2011" Lots of very descriptive writing however, the plot isn't very interesting. "
— Jessalyn, 3/23/2011" The book was average only, the introduction was a bit long. The actual problem solving was okay, however the ending felt a bit rushed. The descriptions in the book are very detailed. "
— Christie, 3/23/2011" This book starts out with a peaceful and "nothing much"book, but then in chapter 7 it starts to get exciting.<br/> "
— Christy, 3/23/2011" Ending seemed a bit hurried but book was excellent overall. "
— Vincent, 3/23/2011Gary D. Schmidt is the bestselling author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor and Printz Honor book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy and the Newbery Honor book The Wednesday Wars. He is a professor of English at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Sam Freed is an actor, voice talent, and audiobook narrator.