Fairing Weather

by Elspeth Bragdon, Marjorie Torrey (Illustrator)

Bleak Island, where Ann Marsh lived, was a wind-swept, solitary place, but it had everything that can make an island wonderful for a little girl. There were beaches to explore, and the ever-changing sea to look at, and there was the lighthouse of which Ann’s father was the keeper. From the top of the tower Ann thought she could see the entire world! Then one day the Coast Guard boat brought a small, frightened stranger to Bleak nine-year-old Betsy Gates had come alone all the way from Ohio to stay with her grandmother. Everything on the island seemed strange to the child, who had lived all her life in a city and had supposed the rest of the world to be made up of apartment houses and stores. Ann quickly made up her mind that Betsy was like “a summer person’s little girl”— she didn’t belong; she didn’t know anything. Gradually the two girls learned to understand the differences in each other’s worlds and became best friends. And the delightful relationship between the grownups and the children is one of the nicest parts of this classic New England story. Includes drawings in line by Marjorie Torrey.

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is fine but wasn't memorable for me. We had a longer than anticipated gap before the last 3 chapters and my memory of the first 7 chapters was vague. The book starts in Sept as Betsy unexpectedly comes to live on the island with her grandmother. Ann, age 9, is pretty judgmental and a know it all, she thinks Betsy is scared of everything because she isn't used to island life. Ann eventually learns to think differently but I was more impressed with Betsy's growth in the story. The take home message is different isn't bad, it is just different and we need all kinds of people. I liked Mrs. Marsh and the homeschool parts.

[Lissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet thoughtful book the kids and I enjoyed.