Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
by Gary Schmidt

Coming of age/racism/father-son relationship/Christian faith

Turner Buckminster, the ministers son, moves into the small town of Phippsburg Maine and finds himself struggling to fit in. The town is rigid and unaccepting, and Turner is absolutely miserable. When he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin and experiences life on Malaga Island for the first time he begins to understand what real happiness and freedom feel like. When he learns that the town officials are one step away from forcing the Griffins and their community to leave Malaga Island he experiences the injustices of racial discrimination for the first time. Turner's experiences with Lizzie, with his unrelenting Father, and other dynamic characters, help him to learn who he is and what he believes. I think this book was aimed at a younger audience, 12-14, but I would recommend it for any age. In true Gary Schmidt style, the book is full of deep themes and symbolism that really enhance the text. Five Stars!!!