Landon Allen -Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Author: Gary D. Schmidt

Pages: 220

Rating: 7 - 10

The book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy is based on a true story that took place in Phippsburg, Maine, in 1912. Turner Buckminster, the main character, was the new kid in town that summer, and his father was the town’s new minister. In his old town, he could hit a baseball better than most kids his age, but when he came to play in Maine, it was a whole new game. Turner faced problems obeying his father’s strict rules and regulations. He also had problems with the new kids he was supposed to become friends with; getting in fights, staying out to late, and being with people he wasn’t supposed to be with.

In the town of Phippsburg, there was island inhabited by a group of African Americans, called Malaga Island. Turner becomes friends with Lizzie, one of the islanders. These African Americans aren’t accepted on the mainland of Phippsburg and Turner has specific instructions not to associate with them. The town officials are planning on eradicating them from the island so they could create a tourist attraction there. Turner is the only one who understands Lizzie’s people and respects them, and because of that, he does everything in his power to save them. This is the story of Turner entering manhood and standing up for what he believes in. It is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading books with true information in them.