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Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy Audiobook, by Gary D. Schmidt Play Audiobook Sample

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy Audiobook

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy Audiobook, by Gary D. Schmidt Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Sam Freed Publisher: Listening Library Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2005 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780307207265

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

57

Longest Chapter Length:

11:23 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

04:17 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

07:10 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

13

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Publisher Description

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)

Quotes

  • “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

Awards

  • A 2005 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book
  • A 2005 Newbery Honor Book
  • Winner of Printz Honors, 2005

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.6206896551724137 out of 53.6206896551724137 out of 53.6206896551724137 out of 53.6206896551724137 out of 53.6206896551724137 out of 5 (3.62)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 13
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 3
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " the beginning was slow for me but by the end...whew. emotionally draining. very beautiful. "

    — Abby, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Book about Prejudice and Discrimination "

    — Marissa, 12/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Beautiful writing and based on a true story. Fun YA read. "

    — Jenalyn, 12/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Slow, but well-written with likable characters "

    — Heather, 7/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It is really boring i mean it might be a good storyline but it is boring and has weird grammar. "

    — Lushyloo13, 2/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " good story of youth struggles with tradition, friends, parents. inspiring story of change, acceptance, being true to self.... "

    — Misty, 2/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I laughed, I cried . . . a really good book! It should've received the newberry medal instead of honor! "

    — Jillybean, 10/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Beautifully written coming-of-age novel. "

    — Dina, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent! Challenging historical fiction novel set in Maine. Contemporary issues that still ring true today. "

    — Lanny, 4/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Don't really like this book, but I think it shows what we have to do and racism "

    — Mike, 4/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Lots of very descriptive writing however, the plot isn't very interesting. "

    — Jessalyn, 3/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 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
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book starts out with a peaceful and &quot;nothing much&quot;book, but then in chapter 7 it starts to get exciting.<br/> "

    — Christy, 3/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Ending seemed a bit hurried but book was excellent overall. "

    — Vincent, 3/23/2011

About Gary D. Schmidt

Gary 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.

About Sam Freed

Sam Freed is an actor, voice talent, and audiobook narrator.