A well written story highlighting a tragic incident in Maine around 1900. The story holds your interest throughout and is probably relatable as “the new kid “ struggling to fit in will always be a thing, though hopefully rarely with outcomes as bad as in this story. I think the descriptions of nature are the most effective parts of the book. Weaknesses include that I felt Lizzie was under utilized in the story and that the father’s character was hard to puzzle out. Did he change? Was he shamed? How did he come by his love for Darwin? Read it and see what you think ( )

This is a beautifully illustrated book of the life of St. Martin of Porres, the first black Saint, who spent his life starting as a poor fatherless child in the barrios and eventually became a monk. During his life he learned to heal, and became devoted to helping the poor and sick, humans as well as animals. The illustrations are rich, jewel toned pastels, giving the story a magical quality. ( )

It only takes a few hours for Turner Buckminster to start hating Phippsburg, Maine. No one in town will let him forget that he's a minister's son, even if he doesn't act like one. But then he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a smart and sassy girl from a poor nearby island community founded by former slaves. Despite his father's - and the town's - disapproval of their friendship, Turner spends time with Lizzie, and it opens up a whole new world to him, filled with the mystery and wonder of Maine's rocky coast. The two soon discover that the town elders, along with Turner's father, want to force the people to leave Lizzie's island so that Phippsburg can start a lucrative tourist trade there. Turner gets caught up in a spiral of disasters that alter his life - but also lead him to new levels of acceptance and maturity. This sensitively written historical novel, based on the true story of a community's destruction, highlights a unique friendship during a time of change.

Deep breath. Wow. If I could give this one 10 stars, I would. This is one that transports you, speaks to you in a language beyond words. You will cry. You will feel indignant. And you will be carried along by the beautiful weaving of all the threads in this story. Everyone should read this...as a child and again as an adult. An added connection was the fact that it's set right here in Maine, and on the coast...I grew up on the coast of Maine and I understood. Handing this one to Isabelle right now to read, and will remember to thank our neighbor who suggested it to us! ( )

The characters in this historical novel may be fictitious, but the events actually occurred in Maine in the early 1900s. Lizzie and Turner want to be friends, but the rules of society do not allow for a white boy and a black girl to be friends. This book is full of tragedy and social issues that we face still today. Schmidt expertly walks a fine line balancing heartache and hope in the novel. Students will see the difficult problems of the world today reflected in life one hundred years ago. This novel won the Printz Award and is a Newberry Honor Book.