Understood Betsy

by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Kimberly Bulcken Root (Illustrator) Eden Ross Lipson (Introduction)

book data

256 ratings, 4.17 average rating, 70 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		40%
4		40%
3		16%
2		2%
1		0%

edit

published

October 15th 1999 (first published 1917) by Henry Holt and Co.

binding

Hardcover, 240 pages

isbn

0805060731 (isbn13: 9780805060737)

description

Anyone who fondly remembers how the fresh air of the moors puts a blush in the cheeks of sallow young Mary in The Secret Garden will love Dorothy Canf...more

[close] Anyone who fondly remembers how the fresh air of the moors puts a blush in the cheeks of sallow young Mary in The Secret Garden will love Dorothy Canfield Fisher's Understood Betsy just as much. First published in 1916, this engaging classic tells the tale of a thin, pale 9-year-old orphan named Elizabeth Ann who is whisked away from her city home and relocated to a Vermont farm where her cousins, the "dreaded Putneys," live. The Putneys are not as bad as her doting, high-strung Aunt Frances warns, however, and Elizabeth, who had been nurtured by her aunt like an overwatered sapling--positively blooms under their breezy, earthy care.

Elizabeth Ann's first victories are small ones--taking the reins from Uncle Harry, doing her own hair, making her own breakfast--but children will revel in the awakening independence and growing self-confidence of a girl who learns to think for herself... and even laugh. Along the way, "citified" readers of all ages will get a glimpse into the lives of people who are truly connected to the world around them--making butter ("We always bought ours," says Elizabeth Ann), experiencing the "rapt wonder that people in the past were really people," and understanding the difference between failing in school and failing at life. Fisher is a wise, personable storyteller, steeped in the Montessori principles of learning for its own sake, the value of process, and the importance of "indirect support" in child rearing. She also captures the tempestuous emotional life of a child as few authors can, crafting a story that children will find deeply satisfying. And in the end, readers will have grown as fond of the happier, stronger "Betsy" as the gentle, unassuming Putneys have.

Loving care was dolloped on this 1999 reissue of an old favorite--with sweet new pencil illustrations by Kimberly Bulcken Root, and an introduction and afterword by Eden Ross Lipson that offer a historical context for the book and its author. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson

[close]

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | compare prices…

new topic
discuss this book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

friend reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists. Add this book to your favorite list »

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 338)

sort: default (?) | date
filters: all | text-only

03/10/08

Jay Ginsburg rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: kids-books

Read in February, 2008

My mother read this book as a girl, and I did too. Betsy was a role model for me, inspiring confidence and pragmatism. Now I am gathering copies of the book for my granddaughters.

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

1 comment

11/21/07

Theresa rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: children-s-chapter-books

recommends it for: children in general

This is a book about a young girl named Betsy who lives with her elderly aunts. When her parents died, they rushed to take care of her. They always are watching out for the least possible sign of any illness or distress of any kind, and quickly trying to make it better. But one day one of the aunts gets very sick and the girl is sent to another part of the family. This family is thought to be too rough and unsympathetic to raise such a sensitive child, but that's the way it has to be. So Be...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

08/19/07

Kitty rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

A book written for 8-10 year old girls, but one I still enjoy rereading as an adult. I love the descriptions of Vermont and Vermonters, so much that on a vacation to Vermont, I made my family take a detour through Dorothy Canfield's hometown so I could find the farmhouse that she uses as a setting for Understood Betsy. The point she makes that children should be allowed to make their own decisions and learn to think for themselves wasn't lost on me - I only hope that I can do as good a job with ...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

03/10/09

Nickie rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: children-s-books-are-for-adults-too

Read in March, 2009

Imagine you are nine years old, raised by an overly protective Aunt to the point that you have never accomplished anything on your own in your life. Then one day you are sent to the "horrible cousins" in Vermont. Immediately, without criticism, you are made to see that you can change, do things and think things for yourself. Betsy, as a nine year old discovers an amazing world of ability and excitement for living, learning, playing, eating, and actually having and being a friend.
...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

07/22/08

Laura added it (review of isbn 1887840133)

Read in July, 2008

Lindsey and I both loved and benefited from this classic about a nine-year-old girl who is timid and virtually helpless, largely because of the personalities of the grown-ups around her. Then she is sent to live with her awful Putney cousins--and everything changes. A great reminder of how good it feels to embrace our agency, think for ourselves, and teach our children to do the same.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

07/10/08

Carrie rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

Read in July, 2008

This is a nice story about a girl who goes to live with some relatives on a farm. This girl "Betsy" ends up learning many new things through hands-on experiences. There is a pleasant message of learning and progressing in life through everyday experiences. Caution to Jamie - you may not like this because there were parts of it that reminded me of "Miracles on Maple Hill" : )

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

03/14/07

Jenne rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

Read in October, 2007

This is like totally some kind of Montessori school propaganda, those bastards!!
But it's also really sweet, it's kind of like Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm or Anne of Green Gables or something, but it's all about how to be self-sufficient and be educated at your own level and have self-confidence and stuff.
Plus applesauce.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

01/03/09

Misha rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: children-s

A sweet novel set in Vermont about an orphan girl who goes from being coddled with one pair of aunts to being given responsibility with another set of aunts/cousins. Fisher's parenting and education (montessori) beliefs are clearly illustrated in this nostalgic read. Good for Anne of Green Gables fans.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

2 comments

03/20/09

Lupine rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: advanced-readers, chapter-book, elementary-school, estelle, girls, historical-fict, nik-s-kids, read-aloud

Read in March, 2009

I can't believe I had never read this book before! For those who love Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, Sara Crew, All-of-a-Kind Family etc A sweet story of orphaned Betsy who is raised by her nervous & anxious aunt in the city and then sent to live with her country cousins. The author's montessori background is quite obvious throughout the book which makes it an enjoyable read for the adult parent as well. A bit didadactic and wraps up neatly but it's a great read for those girls who ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

05/02/08

Hilary rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

Read in January, 1978

recommends it for: age 8+

I absolutely loved this book as a child. What more can I say. Betsy is an adorable girl living with adorable relatives on an adorable farm who learns so much about herself in a short year.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

03/31/08

Mary rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

Read in January, 1971

recommends it for: Everyone!

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

This turn-of-the-century children's book is one of the most captivating stories ever written!! The story begins on a note so "dark" that it's almost inappropriate for children, as nine-year-old orphan Elizabeth Ann (no last name is ever given), smothered by the excessive attentions of her hypochondriachal aunts and their quavering housekeeper, cries after experiencing one of her recurring nightmares in which she sees herself inside a little white casket, draped with roses. We learn in...more This turn-of-the-century children's book is one of the most captivating stories ever written!! The story begins on a note so "dark" that it's almost inappropriate for children, as nine-year-old orphan Elizabeth Ann (no last name is ever given), smothered by the excessive attentions of her hypochondriachal aunts and their quavering housekeeper, cries after experiencing one of her recurring nightmares in which she sees herself inside a little white casket, draped with roses. We learn in later chapters that Elizabeth Ann has never been anywhere by herself, to the extent of being accompanied to each new class at school (her aunts fear that their niece would be terrified among strangers without having someone along to hold her hand); has never had enough to eat, or more than a single cup of milk to drink each day (her aunts fear for her niece's "delicate digestion"); has never owned a pet (her aunts have raised her to be terrified of dogs, and although she longs for a kitten, fear that all animals carry diseases which might prove deadly to delicate little girls)...we learn, in fact, that Elizabeth Ann has never laughed aloud in all her life. When this cheery household is broken up by the sudden, contagious illness of the elder aunt, poor Elizabeth Ann must face an unimaginable fate: she's to be sent to "those terrible Putneys" - her Aunt Abigail, Uncle Henry, and grown Cousin Ann, who live on a small farm, and who, as Elizabeth Ann's guardian aunts have taught her, are barbarians who have no idea how to treat a child - as Aunt Frances recalls with a shudder, "They made the children do the chores, just as if they were hired men!" All too soon, a literally sobbing Elizabeth Ann is bundled onto a train bound for the Putney Farm, "where there were no good times to be had". Poor Elizabeth Ann fears that everything will be strange and unfamiliar...and indeed it is; from the moment she meets Uncle Henry, a new and dramatically different world unfolds before her: she's handed the reins to drive the horses back to Putney Farm (her compliance in the face of sheer panic is rewarded by the first feelings of pride and accomplishment she's ever known), presented with a kitten to help ease her homesickness, and given all the food she can eat; she's given a bed to share with warm, gentle, and sizeable Aunt Abigail and watches her peacefully reading without a fear in the world; and when the long-fearful, long-neglected orphan bursts into tears at the first security she's ever felt, Aunt Abigail holds her close, and allows her kitten to join her in the bed. The next morning, Betsy's world (for the Putneys favor "Betsy" over the stiff, formal "Elizabeth Ann") continues to change: she's left to dress herself and comb her own hair, and is expected to fix her own breakfast (to her utter astonishment, she's allowed to drink *all the milk she wants!*); she reacts to the first joke she's ever heard; she's enlisted to help make the butter and prepare the noontime meal; she's encouraged to hand-feed table scraps to Shep, the great, horrible, terrifying, and utterly harmless dog (who soon becomes her best friend, along with her kitten); she laughs out loud at Shep's antics for the very first time in her life; and - at the cost of another flash of sheer panic - she walks down the road to the local school, all by herself! From making popcorn with Uncle Henry and reading aloud to the family in the evening, to learning to make waxed sugar from maple syrup and longing to climb a mountain; from rescuing a six-year-old schoolmate from a snow cave-in (and gaining her as a temporary little sister, while the child's mother recovers from an illness), to plotting the rescue of another young schoolmate from his abusive, alcoholic father; and from protecting her "little sister" while the two of them are stranded miles from home at a county fair, to her final showdown with - and revelation about - Aunt Frances, Betsy's story is one that is not to be missed. A masterpiece! (less)

Like this review? yes

add a comment

10/02/07

Bonnie Gayle rated it:

bookshelves: childrens, historical-fiction, library-books

Read in November, 2007

recommends it for: fans of children's historical fiction

Hmmm...this was Montessori propaganda masquerading as children's literature. If you can get over that fact, it's a cute story, and anyway, I don't think children would pick up on it.

Elizabeth Ann is an orphan (it's amazing how many kid's books begin that way!) who gets raised by her 2 elderly aunts. These aunts are citified and prissy, and they raise Elizabeth Ann to be that way as well. She cries often, eats little, is barely outside, and is waited on hand and foot.

Sudd...more Hmmm...this was Montessori propaganda masquerading as children's literature. If you can get over that fact, it's a cute story, and anyway, I don't think children would pick up on it.

Elizabeth Ann is an orphan (it's amazing how many kid's books begin that way!) who gets raised by her 2 elderly aunts. These aunts are citified and prissy, and they raise Elizabeth Ann to be that way as well. She cries often, eats little, is barely outside, and is waited on hand and foot.

Suddenly, one of her aunts gets a cough, and the doctor says it is not safe for Elizabeth Ann to be with them, so they go off to Europe to heal, and, very grudgingly, leave Elizabeth Ann with her Vermont relatives. These relatives are worlds different from the ones she has grown up with. They have the stereotypical stiff New England upper lip and do not encourage her gails of tears. They also expect her to do chores and care for herself more than she was used to. Poor Elizabeth Ann has a tough time adjusting, but very quickly she discovers that not only CAN she do these things she never has before, she LIKES doing them.

It isn't long before Betsy (as she is now known) becomes a healthy, hearty girl with friends, who can take care of herself...but what will happen when her Aunts get better and come back for her?

This book was written in 1917 and was recently reprinted with cute new illustrations. I love the quaint old fashioned story. Snuggling around an old fashioned stove in the evening playing checkers with a kitten in your lap sounds enviably cozy to me!
The negative was the obvious reason behind the book. The narrator of the book is the author, who has a clear reason for her writing it, which is to promote Montessori style teaching (she discovered it in Italy, and was one of the first to bring it to America), which is not necessarily a bad thing. BUT the narrator is so over the top with it at times, it's just really in your face. Especially, in my opinion, given that it is a children's book. It seems sneaky to me to mask propaganda as a children's story. If the story had been told without the narrator/author's voice in it, it would have been another cute historical fiction a la Little House on the Prairie, but with the narrator's voice, it becomes something else entirely, and for that I give it 3 stars.(less)

Like this review? yes

add a comment

08/31/07

Jess rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: juv, old-fashioned, orphans

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: fans of wholesome stories

Sort of an Eight Cousins for the younger set, this is the classic old-fashioned story of thin & nervous city child getting sent to live with country relatives, where she looses her timidity, learns to make applesauce and pats of butter and take care of others, and turns into a sturdy, rosy-cheeked girl. The authorial voice is a bit strong, with plenty of "Reader, let us leave Betsy to her thoughts" comments, and you cynics might find it a bit too heartwarming, but the characters were ...more

Like this review? yes

2 comments

03/31/09

Stephanie rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

This is such a darling book to read with your children. It's all about increasing confidence in a child by allowing them to learn and do and explore as they grow up. It tickled my funny bone to see how much I advocate the things she was learning, and then at the end I found that the author had studied with Maria Montessori and even wrote a book about her. No wonder I identify with it!

Like this review? yes

1 comment

02/24/09

Natalie rated it:

(review of isbn 1604595213)

Read in February, 2009

Elisabeth Ann is a very shy, frail, pale, and wimpy girl. She depends on her Aunt Frances to keep her away from danger.... which in her mind is dogs, streets, loud children at school, and basically anything else you can think of. She is sent away to her cousin's the putney's, where she finds courage and strength to do anything she puts her mind to..

Like this review? yes

add a comment

03/23/09

Bilboislove rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

I had to read this for school not too long ago and I actually enjoyed it. It was extremely easy to read and was a cute story that didn't take me long at all to finish. :]

Like this review? yes

add a comment

06/02/09

Leah rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. We read it out loud to Jake and Lily who also loved it. I am sure I will want to read it again when Nathan is old enough. :)

Like this review? yes

add a comment

01/03/09

Laurie rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: childrens

Read in December, 2008

What a fun book. Karina and I read this together. It was a great mother daughter book to read. Little House on the Prarrie style.

Like this review? yes

add a comment

01/15/09

Leila rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

bookshelves: 2009-52-in-52, childrens-books, classics, cm-ambleside, recent-reads

When it makes Mommy cry, it makes children happy. This one gets me every time. Even 4yo ds loves this book.

Like this review? yes

add a comment

02/24/09

Jenny rated it:

(review of isbn 1887840133)

Read in March, 2009

This was a book I own but had a hard time making it through as a child. I enjoyed it much more now as an adult, but I don't think it's anything to talk about.

Like this review? yes

add a comment