Hope Road

Betsy and the Great World [Maud Hart Lovelace]

Betsy and the Great World by Maud Hart Lovelace *****

This is the eighth book in the Betsy-Tacy series, which follows Betsy Ray from kindergarten to marriage at the turn of the 20th century. Betsy, now in her early twenties with two years of college behind her, finally realizes her dream of traveling through Europe. The story unfolds in four main acts/settings: the voyage across the Atlantic, study and friendship in Munich, romance in Venice, and the inauguration of war in London. Artfully and intimately told, the story is also rich with cultural details that I appreciate more now than I did reading this book as a child: Betsy’s excitement about gaining weight, her careful circumspection with regard to proper ladylike behavior, her sweet and chaste romances - all of this combined with a zest for life and an indefatigably adventuresome spirit. Captivating and refreshing.

Recommended age level: 12+. I think I first read this book when I was in elementary school, and I did not understand or enjoy most of it. A basic understanding of geography and travel is necessary to really appreciate the story. And innocent as Betsy’s romances are [spoiler warning], one of them, which is more of a crush than anything else, is with a man who turns out to be married. This probably wouldn’t be the best or most understandable reading for your 8-year-old. But anyone in middle school and up should be able to appreciate and enjoy it.