Carney's House Party/Winona's Pony Cart: Two Deep Valley Books

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Carney's House Party/Winona's Pony Cart: Two Deep Valley Books

by Maud Hart Lovelace, Vera Neville (Illustrator)

4.35 of 5 stars 4.35 · rating details · 83 ratings · 18 reviews

Two of Maud Hart Lovelace's beloved Deep Valley books join the Harper Perennial Modern Classics library, next to other enduring favorites like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, To Kill a Mockingbird and Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy books. This beautiful combination edition of Carney's House Party and Winona's Pony Cart features a foreword by author Melissa Wiley and a never-before-publis...more

Paperback, 448 pages

Published October 12th 2010 by William Morrow Paperbacks (first published 2010)

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Mar 01, 2012 Florinda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy books were among my favorites as a child and young teen, and I was thrilled when the four high-school Betsy-Tacy novels and two "adult Betsy" stories were re-issued in 2009 as two-in-one volumes. However, Lovelace also wrote a couple of "spinoff" novels featuring characters introduced in those books, and those have always been harder to find. Harper Perennial has now reissued those as well, in editions that match last year's reprints and including new forewords an...more Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy books were among my favorites as a child and young teen, and I was thrilled when the four high-school Betsy-Tacy novels and two "adult Betsy" stories were re-issued in 2009 as two-in-one volumes. However, Lovelace also wrote a couple of "spinoff" novels featuring characters introduced in those books, and those have always been harder to find. Harper Perennial has now reissued those as well, in editions that match last year's reprints and including new forewords and supplemental material.

I don't think I read Winona's Pony Cart as a child, although I knew Winona Root from the Betsy-Tacy stories beginning with Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown. This story, featuring an eight-year-old Winona Root and appearances by Betsy, Tacy, and Tib, provides a little more background about a character that's both friend and rival to Lovelace's primary heroines. It's an enjoyable children's book - engagingly written, not overly cute, fun to read - but it is definitely a children's book, and therefore a bit too light a read for my personal taste. If I had a young daughter, I think I'd enjoy reading it to and/or with her, but for myself...well, if it weren't a companion to Carney's House Party, I'd probably have passed it up.

Carney's House Party falls chronologically in between Lovelace's Betsy and Joe and Betsy and the Great World and centers on Betsy's high-school friend Caroline "Carney" Sibley, returned to Deep Valley, Minnesota for the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Vassar College. Going back East for college is unusual for the kids in Betsy's Crowd, and it's broadening and reshaping Carney's view of the world. It's also made her wonder how her East Coast roommate Isobel, who has accompanied her back to Deep Valley, will perceive her family, her hometown, and her native Middle West.

It's quite a summer for visitors to Deep Valley, and they're converging on the Sibleys' house. The house party also includes Carney's dear friend Bonnie Andrews, recently returned from Europe, and Betsy Ray herself, headed back to Minneapolis after months spent at her grandmother's home in San Diego recovering from appendicitis. Also coming from California: Larry Humphreys, Carney's high-school boyfriend, who moved out there with his family four years earlier. Larry and Carney have faithfully exchanged letters since he left, but haven't seen each other, and it seems that neither can move ahead with certain aspects of their futures until they do.

It's a fun summer, full of games and parties, and friendship, but it's also a time of sorting out unfinished business and re-evaluating both old and new relationships.

I've only read Carney's House Party once before, and it was a long time ago. I didn't remember as much about it as I had of the Betsy-Tacy books, but I always liked Carney as a character and I enjoyed seeing her again. While her educational aims were higher than Betsy's, she was never as concerned with a career; Betsy always wanted to be a writer, but Carney and Bonnie had been preparing their hope chests since high school and were more interested in when - and with whom - they'd start families of their own. Carney had wondered for years if her future would be with Larry, and it's important - to both of them - to find out.

Like Lovelace's other novels featuring these characters as teenagers and adults, Carney's House Party contains details that place it at a specific point in time, and yet the story it tells isn't dated. The characters are well-developed and ring true - as they should, since they're nearly all based on real people in the author's life - and as such, they're timeless. This novel isn't essential to the Betsy Ray story, but it's an enjoyable read, both as a supplement to that story and in its own right.(less)

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Feb 26, 2011 Laura Kilmartin rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Maud Hart Lovelace was my favorite children's author when I was growing up. She wrote a number of books collectively called the "Betsy-Tacy" series, and the first one I read, "Heavens to Betsy" remains my favorite childhood book of all time. When I ran across two previously out of print books written by her a few weeks ago, I was in heaven myself!

The edition I read had the two books printed together - Carney's House Party which was aimed at intermediate/high school girls and Winona's Pony Cart...more Maud Hart Lovelace was my favorite children's author when I was growing up. She wrote a number of books collectively called the "Betsy-Tacy" series, and the first one I read, "Heavens to Betsy" remains my favorite childhood book of all time. When I ran across two previously out of print books written by her a few weeks ago, I was in heaven myself!

The edition I read had the two books printed together - Carney's House Party which was aimed at intermediate/high school girls and Winona's Pony Cart which was aimed at much younger readers. Taking the second book first, Winona Root was a minor character in most of the Betsy-Tacy books. Here, all the same primary characters were present, but existed as secondary characters revolving around the devilish and undignified Winona who was celebrating her eighth birthday. It was a very cute book and I enjoyed it mainly to see how the author handled her previously major characters with only a reflected spotlight.

The first section of the edition I read was Carney's House Party which I enjoyed tremendously because it filled in a gap in the Betsy-Tacy series. In that series, Carney is an important secondary character and much is made of her great love and longing for her boyfriend Larry who moves away during their sophomore year in high school. Throughout the remainder of the high school books, Carney and Larry are said to keep up their relationship through correspondence, but then in one of the last books of the Betsy-Tacy series when Betsy herself is married, Carney is re-introduced with her new husband Sam, explaining that she and Larry mutually decided that they were better as friends. Carney's House Party addresses this missing piece, shows what happened between Carney and Larry as well as the first meeting and courtship with Sam.

When I say "courtship", I am not using that word lightly as this book as well as all of Maud Hart Lovelace's novels are accurate to the time and the feel of Minnesota in the early twentieth century. Women and men do not kiss until their engagement is announced. Girls spend a great deal of time embroidering linens for their hope chests and discussing the type of houses they will keep for their husbands. It is quaint, sweet, and a lovely portrayal of a simpler time, but if you're looking for a book to help empower your young daughters, this isn't it. Although, in my opinion, I'd favor this book over a Disney princess story any day of the week.

Of course, the true magic of any Maud Hart Lovelace book is the fact that these novels were based on Maud's life and friends growing up in Manketo, MN at the turn of the century. There was a Carney. And a Larry. And a Winona. And Betsy Ray, the heroine of them all was based on Maud. At the back of the novel I read were excerpts from letters between Maud and her friend Marnie (the fictional Betsy and Carney) as Maud sought permission to write the story of Marnie's relationship with Larry and subsequent marriage to Sam.

My favorite story of all was not the novel, itself, but contained in the reader's guide in the back of the book. It told the story of the 1961 reunion of most of the characters of the Betsy books (Maud's real-life childhood friends) when Maud was honored at "Betsy-Tacy Days" in Mankato. Standing alongside Maud on the dias were Frances "Bick" Kenney Kirch and Marjorie Gerlach Harris (the real-life counterparts of Betsy's best friends - Tacy and Tib)

I was thrilled to re-enter the town of Deep Valley and visit with its inhabitants once again. And thanks to Maud Hart Lovelace, my bucket list includes a trip to Manketo (Deep Valley) someday to visit Betsy house which was just named to the list of National Literary Landmarks. (less)

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Nov 14, 2011 Audrey rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1910s, favorites, read-as-a-child, 1900s, turn-of-the-century, favorite-heroines, young-adult-fiction, series, inspired-by-true-story

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

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Nov 13, 2012 Laura Anthony rated it 4 of 5 stars

Lovelace revisits some of the favorite side characters in these two novels. In the first, Carney, home from Vassar, has a lengthy house party that reunites Bonnie, Carney, Winona, Betsy along with a Vassar friend and the various male characters we met in earlier books. The book revolves around the impending visit of Hugh, Carney's old flame, and her interest in a new boy in town.

"Winona's Pony" is a cute story of Winona's eighth birthday where her mother is surprised by extra guests that Winona...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Marie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Little House, Anne of Green Gables, Classics, Children's, turn-of-the-century fans

Recommended to Marie by: Heather Vogel Frederick

Shelves: read-for-book-club

I received a copy of this book from my friend, because our local library does not have this book and I really didn't want to have to order it online. I am extremely grateful that she was able to get me a copy.

What a wonderful continuation of the adventures of Betsy and Tacy.

Let me start with Carney's House Party: What a sweet book! Very enjoyable and another satisfying Betsy-Tacy. I mean, if you want to know more, just look at my reviews for the Betsy-Tacy books because they really had the same...more

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Dec 27, 2010 Marcy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-young-adult-literature

OK I got this as a end of chemo celebration book. Being the fan I am of Betsy/Tacy I had never read the other books feeling I might be a traitor to Betsy!! Oh Dear. Every bit as good. A few little old fashioned sexist stuff in Carney's House party, but totally wonderful writing and a great story. Winona?? All I can say is: Kindred Spirit! Am now moving on to Emily of Deep Valley. I'm in Heaven.

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Jun 05, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-mt-bookpile

This was a bit weird to read - the Carney part takes place when the characters are all in college, while the Winona part takes place years earlier. In each, Betsy Root makes an appearance (in Winona, Tacy and Tib also appear), but these aren't part of the Betsy-Tacy canon.

Readers will enjoy this look at early-1900s Vassar and Minnesota - it's not "historical fiction" because the author lived through those times, and it reads as an unforced look back. The customs, costumes, traditions and differe...more

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Jun 16, 2011 laaaaames rated it 5 of 5 stars

I read these while on the road while in need of comfort books, and they were EXACTLY what I needed. Deep Valley is one of my favorite fictional (well, sort of) places to spend time.

Also, like Jasmine said, it was awesome seeing Betsy from other POVs, especially Carney's.

OMG I ONLY HAVE ONE DEEP VALLEY BOOK LEFT.

(read: 44 and 45)

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Dec 01, 2010 Book Club Girl rated it 5 of 5 stars

Two of Maud Hart Lovelace's Deep Valley books, that feature characters from her beloved Betsy-Tacy series, these books focus on Carney during the summer between her freshman and sophomore year at Vassar College and on Winona, in her younger years.

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May 15, 2011 Jasmine rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, childrens

Two fun books about some of the other characters in the Betsy-Tacy books. Carney's House Party is set after high school, and in between Betsy and Joe and Betsy and the Great World, while Winona's Pony Cart is set during childhood. Carney's House Party is the more interesting book; lots of interesting stuff about Carney and a great window on Betsy. It's fun to see Betsy through the eyes of someone else in the Crowd, and gives more detail about why Carney ended up with who she ended up with. I als...more

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Aug 06, 2011 GoldenjoyBazyll rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Sweetly written book with a frame of reference of days gone by- nice for a young adult but bored me silly!

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Apr 27, 2012 Meredith Henning rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: classic-lit, fiction

I think I liked this one even better than Emily of Deep Valley, but they are close runners :)

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Jan 30, 2011 Paula rated it 4 of 5 stars

Winona's Pony Cart was a hit with the 7 year old girl

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Jan 10, 2011 Michelle marked it as to-read

Shelves: autographed

Got a copy at ALA, autographed foreward

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Jun 14, 2011 Tammy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-stars, childhood-favorites

Didn't want it to end!
Especially loved all the extra "goodies" about the real people behind the characters.

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May 05, 2012 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh, how I heart these books. I just know Maude Hart Lovelace and I would have been BFFs (but doesn't every reader think that?)

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Oct 31, 2011 Teri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, children-young-adult

Both stories were good. I enjoyed Carney's House Party the most. Really loved it! Winona's Pony Cart is a cute little story about a a little 8 yr old's birthday party.

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Dec 31, 2012 Stephanie Lucianovic rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: re-reading

Loved these hard-to-find stories.

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May 30, 2013 Angela marked it as to-read

May 29, 2013 Emma rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 19, 2013 Janie rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 19, 2013 Eliz Sarobhasa added it

Apr 26, 2013 Carolina marked it as to-read

Apr 25, 2013 Magdalen Hobbs added it

Apr 14, 2013 Marian marked it as to-read

Apr 13, 2013 Hannah marked it as to-read

Shelves: series-challenge

Apr 12, 2013 Angel marked it as to-read

Jun 05, 2013 Ðɑηηɑ marked it as will-not-read

Apr 04, 2013 Mackenzie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Mackenzie by: 50

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About Maud Hart Lovelace

Maud Hart Lovelace was born on April 25, 1892, in Mankato, Minnesota. She was the middle of three children born to Thomas and Stella (Palmer) Hart. Her sister, Kathleen, was three years older, and her other sister, Helen, was six years younger. “That dear family" was the model for the fictional Ray family.

Maud’s birthplace was a small house on a hilly residential street several blocks above Mankat...more

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Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill (Betsy-Tacy, #3)

Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown (Betsy-Tacy, #4)

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