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Understood Betsy
For all of her nine years, fragile Elizabeth Ann has heard her Aunt Frances refer in whispers to her "horrid Putney cousins." But when her aunt can no longer care for her, Elizabeth Ann must leave her sheltered life to live in the wilds of Vermont with those distant relatives.
In the beginning, Elizabeth Ann is shocked by country living--pets are allowed to sleep in the hou...more
In the beginning, Elizabeth Ann is shocked by country living--pets are allowed to sleep in the hou...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
October 15th 1999
by Henry Holt and Co.
(first published 1916)
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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.
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.
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.
Nov 21, 2007
Theresa
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
children in general
Shelves:
children-s-chapter-books
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 Betsy m...more
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
Mar 10, 2009
Nickie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s-books-are-for-adults-too
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.
Plus Betsy learn...more
Plus Betsy learn...more
I am such a big softie.
This morning, Isaac and I just finished reading Understood Betsy together (again).
You might guess from the cover that manly men like Isaac and I wouldn't care for this book. You'd be wrong. Understood Betsy is a book about an overprotected girl who unhappily goes to live with some extended family who actually understand what a little girl needs to thrive.
Betsy learns how to do things for herself, how to make friends (and be a true one), how to be a productive member of a f...more
This morning, Isaac and I just finished reading Understood Betsy together (again).
You might guess from the cover that manly men like Isaac and I wouldn't care for this book. You'd be wrong. Understood Betsy is a book about an overprotected girl who unhappily goes to live with some extended family who actually understand what a little girl needs to thrive.
Betsy learns how to do things for herself, how to make friends (and be a true one), how to be a productive member of a f...more
Jan 19, 2013
Jeanette
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Someone who Likes Little House in the Big Woods
Recommended to Jeanette by:
Ambleside Online
Understood Betsy is a children's novel written in 1916, but I had never heard about it before. I learned about it in home education circles, and read it aloud with my 7-year-old, Owen. I'd say that it's of equal or higher caliber than the beloved Little House in the Big Woods.
In the story, young orphan Elizabeth Ann lives with her aunt and her aunts mother. Her aunt takes care of her every need and shelters her from anything unpleasant, and prides herself in truly "understanding" the needs of E...more
In the story, young orphan Elizabeth Ann lives with her aunt and her aunts mother. Her aunt takes care of her every need and shelters her from anything unpleasant, and prides herself in truly "understanding" the needs of E...more
Okay, it's not really that new to me because I read it as a kid, and then again for the NYBT book discussion group. It was amazing to me how many years have gone by since I've read this (although I did read it multiple times as a child) and SO MANY of the scenes and details were instantly familiar. You would think I had read it yesterday.
Let's see, orphan Betsy lives with her milksoppy aunt and cousin, and when her aunt becomes ill, she is sent to live with other relatives in Vermont, who are h...more
Let's see, orphan Betsy lives with her milksoppy aunt and cousin, and when her aunt becomes ill, she is sent to live with other relatives in Vermont, who are h...more
This was a free Kindle book, and it had some good reviews, so I thought I would try it. One word: quaint! It is a little old-fashioned, but then, it was first published in 1916 (or 1917, depending on the source of the information). It was written for a younger audience (like, 8-11 year olds probably), but I still found it to be enjoyable. Besty, also known as Elizabeth Ann, was orphaned as an infant, and spent most of her life with her more well-to-do aunt and great-aunt in the city. They had se...more
I always wanted to read this when I was younger, since it had my name in the title, but I just couldn't get interested. Now, with Kindle + public domain, all things are possible!
I'm not sure what Ms. Fisher was wanting to do with this book, but it really isn't so much a kids' story as an extended scenario on how adults should behave towards children. All Betsy's inner feelings are documented so very densely, but she always seems to be reacting and discovering based on what some adult around her...more
I'm not sure what Ms. Fisher was wanting to do with this book, but it really isn't so much a kids' story as an extended scenario on how adults should behave towards children. All Betsy's inner feelings are documented so very densely, but she always seems to be reacting and discovering based on what some adult around her...more
Orphaned at a young age, Elizabeth Ann has been raised by her Aunt Frances to believe she is a delicate child. When Elizabeth Ann is 9, Aunt Frances's mother falls ill, so Elizabeth Ann must be sent to live with other relatives, her Putney cousins. Here she finds a life very different from the one she has known. Uncle Henry, Aunt Abigail, and Cousin Ann don't seem to realize that Elizabeth Ann is a very delicate child and expect her to be able to do things for herself. Thanks to these loving peo...more
Jan 29, 2010
Shannon
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Aimee Guest, Mikkee Hall,
Recommended to Shannon by:
Anna Truss
Shelves:
youngadult
After my ten year old read this book, she said to me, "Mom, this might be my favorite book EVER." This is high praise from a child who averages more than three books weekly, so I decided to see why she loved it. After finishing the book this morning, I asked her exactly what she loved about it and was told, "Oh... I love the way Betsy transforms from a weak girl to a strong one and the way she helps the little boy in the book and well, everything about it."
I have to agree with my daughter that B...more
I have to agree with my daughter that B...more
In a conversation with a friend in which I was raving about my girls' Montessori education and bemoaning my difficulty in finding appropriate chapter books to read aloud to two such very young children, she recommended this book to me, and I agree that it fits perfectly into that thematic nook of our conversation--this book is like Little House on the Prairie goes to Montessori School.
Little Betsy is a troubled child, a damaged child at the beginning of the book, and also a child that you empath...more
Little Betsy is a troubled child, a damaged child at the beginning of the book, and also a child that you empath...more
Oct 10, 2009
Briana
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-that-make-me-insanely-happy
Disclaimer: I'm sorry, my inept attempts at communication fail to do this book justice...
One of my favorite children's classics of all time. I'm rediscovering it as I read to my sisters...
A lot of times, children's authors cater to simple entertainment, which is not altogether bad...but of course, it remains mostly at a superficial level, with characters doing a lot, but not really evolving in personality. (Or doing neither *cough*ElsieDinsmore*cough*) The character development in Understood Be...more
One of my favorite children's classics of all time. I'm rediscovering it as I read to my sisters...
A lot of times, children's authors cater to simple entertainment, which is not altogether bad...but of course, it remains mostly at a superficial level, with characters doing a lot, but not really evolving in personality. (Or doing neither *cough*ElsieDinsmore*cough*) The character development in Understood Be...more
In the early part of the 20th century, nine-year-old Betsy has led a life ever-so-diligently sheltered by her nervous Aunt Frances, who always does her best to understand her little girl. When Aunt Frances must go care for her mother, though, Betsy is sent to the Vermont farm of some unknown relatives, the Putneys. These taciturn people don't seem to have the slightest notion of how to keep Betsy safe from all the perils of life, and blithely pitchfork her into situation after terrifying situati...more
Read this because it is one of my girlfriend's all-time favorites, which she first read, I believe, when she was nine. I think I have an idea of why she likes it so much.
Elizabeth Ann (Betsy), the protagonist, turns ten years old during the novel, and during our time with her she learns several great self-truths: she can be independent, make decisions, and take care of herself; in thinking for herself as well as asking herself "what would Cousin Ann do?" she discovers her capacity for problem s...more
Elizabeth Ann (Betsy), the protagonist, turns ten years old during the novel, and during our time with her she learns several great self-truths: she can be independent, make decisions, and take care of herself; in thinking for herself as well as asking herself "what would Cousin Ann do?" she discovers her capacity for problem s...more
While children will be delighted and engaged by Betsy's life adventures, as she moves from city to farm, parents will be tutored as they observe the contrast between two styles of child rearing. Betsy is launched from an overprotective, sheltered city life to a new home with distant relatives who live on a new England farm. Betsy's capabilities are developed and her self confidence soars as her elderly caretakers benignly allow her to "do for herself." Betsy faces challenge after challenge: smal...more
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.
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" : )
Library.
What a great book! We read this aloud and the lessons Betsy learns, the approaches the different adults take, the feeling the reader gets from the characters is well balanced, interesting, and beautiful.
Betsy's growth and improvement over the course of the book is wonderful. She starts as a pitiable, incapable child and becomes a reliable, admirable child. The descriptions of her education at home and in the one room schoolhouse are striking examples of what teaching and learning can be....more
What a great book! We read this aloud and the lessons Betsy learns, the approaches the different adults take, the feeling the reader gets from the characters is well balanced, interesting, and beautiful.
Betsy's growth and improvement over the course of the book is wonderful. She starts as a pitiable, incapable child and becomes a reliable, admirable child. The descriptions of her education at home and in the one room schoolhouse are striking examples of what teaching and learning can be....more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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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.
Did you love Anne of Green Gables when you were younger? Did you read it when you were older and fine Anne to be almost insufferable? Do you wish "Teen Angel" from ABC's TGIF line-up had never been cancelled and was available on dvd? If you answered yes to all three- you are possibly me and I'm totally wigged out cuz I'm not sure how that's possible. If you answered yes to the first two, then you are merely like me. That's cool. But if you were wary of reading another novel about a scrappy orpha...more
Clearly a children's book, Understood Betsy calls to mind the wholesome, charming books from my childhood. Betsy is a young girl being raised by her fluttery, sensitive, over-protective aunt, and as a result is becoming a fluttery, sensitive, coddled child. When circumstances force her aunt to send her to the Putneys, those dreadful cousins who live in the country and have no sensibility, Betsy is faced with putting on her own clothes (gasp!) and helping in the kitchen (they don't have a servant...more
A young orphan is brought up by two over-protective and fussy relatives. Later she ends up being jettisoned to her "country" relatives where she encounters chores, livestock, the outdoors and a one-room school house. You can see where this is going.
A little predictable, but still charming, Understood Betsy has very well-written characters and the narrative itself is very precise and fun to read. I read this with my 11 year-old-daughter and we both really enjoyed it in. Apparently Dorothy Canfiel...more
A little predictable, but still charming, Understood Betsy has very well-written characters and the narrative itself is very precise and fun to read. I read this with my 11 year-old-daughter and we both really enjoyed it in. Apparently Dorothy Canfiel...more
Mar 21, 2009
Lupine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
chapter-book,
elementary-school,
girls,
historical-fict,
nik-s-kids,
estelle,
read-aloud,
advanced-readers
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
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.
Sep 25, 2011
Kirei
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
older-kids,
teens-and-adults
I put off reading this because I heard it was a preachy book on how to raise a child. So finally I started it as a read-aloud to my son. I got so interested that I read the book silently to myself in one day!
It is a book on how to raise a child, a lot like "The Secret Garden". In the story, Elizabeth Ann lives with her nervous but loving aunts. She never does much for herself and is taught to be fearful. Then one aunt get sick so Elizabeth Ann moves to a farm where she turns into Betsy. She is l...more
It is a book on how to raise a child, a lot like "The Secret Garden". In the story, Elizabeth Ann lives with her nervous but loving aunts. She never does much for herself and is taught to be fearful. Then one aunt get sick so Elizabeth Ann moves to a farm where she turns into Betsy. She is l...more
This is one of many books my grandmother the librarian passed along to me over the years. I remember loving it as a child, which is why it got five stars from me.
I just re-read it on my phone last night. It is still a timeless slice of childhood for me, and reminds me of my grandmother and her fabulous brownies. As a "recovering" Montessori parent, I certainly appreciated the Montessori approach of the classroom and the Putney cousins. I also loved the treatment of overly-attached, overly-sensit...more
I just re-read it on my phone last night. It is still a timeless slice of childhood for me, and reminds me of my grandmother and her fabulous brownies. As a "recovering" Montessori parent, I certainly appreciated the Montessori approach of the classroom and the Putney cousins. I also loved the treatment of overly-attached, overly-sensit...more
This is one of the best written books for girls around 10-12 that I have ever read. It's great in that it doesn't in any way write down to them. I remember feeling thrilled at picking up on small details that were not spelled out, like (bit of a spoiler alert) when Elizabeth starts being called Betsy. It was one of the first books I read that showed that very well meaning adults can sometimes be terrible parents, and that even young girls are capable of making life decisions that are important....more
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