About this title: The further adventures of Betsy, Tacy, and Tib--three American girls growing up at the turn of the century. The girls--now 12 and old enough to travel into town without their parents--explore the public library, ride in a horseless carriage, and befriend Mrs. Poppy, a lonely woman whose husband manages a local theater. Illustrated with b&w spot ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Harper Trophy, New York, New York
Date Published: 2000
ISBN-13:9780064400985ISBN:0064400980
Description: Illustrated by Michael Koelsch. Near Fine. 0064400980. A near fine paperback without creases to to the covers or spine, no writing or stamps, ivoried pages. Carefully packaged and posted within 48 hours from our wee bookshop in Scotland.; Vol. 4; B&W Illustrations. read more
Description: Fair. Purchasing this book supports the King County Library System Foundation. Thriftbooks and KCLSF have partnered to help raise additional funds for the library system. Ex-Library book-will contain library markings. Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More. read more
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Date Published: 1979
ISBN-13:9780064400985ISBN:0064400980
Description: Lenski, Lois. Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 223 p. Contains: Illustrations. Betsy and Tacy Books. Intended for a juvenile audience. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: HarperCollins
Date Published: 2000-04
ISBN-13:9780064400985ISBN:0064400980
Description: Good. *Binding is tight and square. Text is clean and unmarked but pages are somewhat yellowed with age. Has some light edge and corner wear. Minor scuff on back cover. We recommend EXPEDITED MAIL for even faster delivery! read more
Binding: Trade pb
Publisher: Harper Trophy, New York
Date Published: 1979
ISBN-13:9780064400985ISBN:0064400980
Description: Lenski, Lois. Good. No dust jacket, as issued. cover crease. Unknown printing. Illustrated by Lenski, Lois. 180 p. ; illus. ; Quality soft-cover. Originally published under title: Down town, a Betsy-Tacy story. The further adventures of 12-year-old Betsy, Tacy, and Tib as they explore the world beyond their neighborhood and discover the public library, see a real play, and make friends with the owners of the downtown hotel. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: HarperCollins, NY
Date Published: 2000
ISBN-13:9780064400985ISBN:0064400980
Description: Good. 0064400980 Wear and rubbing on cover, edges and corners. Fauxing is beginning on all pages.; Orange and white cover and spine.; Betsy-Tacy Series; 0.53 x 7.68 x 5.18 Inches; 240 pages. read more
Edition: Reprint
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Harper Trophy, New York
Date Published: 1979
ISBN-13:9780064400985ISBN:0064400980
Description: Ill By Lois Lenski. Good++ No Jacket. Trade Paperback. Store stamp bottom edge, inside covers darkening. Slight edgewear. No writing. read more
Description: Lenski, Lois. As New. Betsy, Tacy and Tib are 12 years old. old enough to do many things, including go downtown by themselves. They discover many new things and realize Deep Valley is the best place in the world to live. read more
"continuing on the strength of "... go over the big hill." charming, lovely, utterly fun. i'm amazed that i missed out on this series growing up, but it just goes to show you (we) children's librarians out there how important a well-stocked shelf can be, as i'd have eaten this up like birthday cake if i'd had access to them when i was eight."
"My visits to Deep Valley, Minnesota, continue. "Downtown" is the Betsy/Tacy book with the most depth so far. The girls are twelve years old, and have left behind their world of fantasy play in favor of the interests and pleasures of reality and relationship. Many themes crop up. First, there is the irony of the horseless carriage. We know it will eventually destroy Deep Valley, and Ms. Lovelace does briefly mention the "evil smell". But the residents of Deep Valley --- with the exception of the bridle shop owner whose woes the girls understandably pass over --- are exhilarated. Second, the girls also begin to show a darker side --- the standard little sister/brother troublesomeness is used to make money; the girls cynically attempt to manipulate Winona into inviting them to the play. Social class also appears as we learn how servant girl Rena's tastes in reading are not appropriate for our girls, but seem not objectionable in someone of her class.
On the positive side, the girls begin to see adults as persons. Here, we have the example of Betsy's mother's reluctant attitude to Ms. Poppy and how Betsy forms opinions of Ms. Poppy through her own private relationship with her.
Most of all, however, Betsy's creativity grows with the necessary nurture and encouragement that it needs. (Here, she is reminiscent of Jo in Little Women.) Also, Betsy begins to individuate and nurture herself with the beginning of her solo visits to the library and the experiences, such as lunch and new relationships (Ms. Sparrow and Ms. Poppy). Betsy knows at some level that these visits are necessary for her.
The ultimate decency and goodness of the Kelly and Ray families are highlighted by the wonder and tears of Keith's return and the continuation of the Friendship."
"I think that Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown may be my favorite book yet, in Maud Hart Lovelace's series of children's novels devoted to the adventures of three young girls growing up in late nineteenth and early twentieth-century Minnesota. Now twelve years old, Betsy, Tacy and Tib find their horizons expanding, as they venture into town on their own, see a horseless carriage for the first time, attend a thrilling performance of Uncle Tom's Cabin at the Opera House, and (in Betsy's case) discover the joys of the new Carnegie Library.
The girls find a new playmate in Winona Root, the sometimes exasperating daughter of Deep Valley's newspaper editor, and a true friend in plump Mrs. Poppy, who gives them a lovely Christmas party. But the most thrilling experience of all comes when they are chosen to participate in a performance of Rip Van Winkle, and make a surprise discovery with implications for Betsy's family...
Like some other reviewers who first read this as an adult, I was able to guess all the developments well in advance. But somehow, the pleasure of "discovery" was in no way diminished - a testament to Lovelace's immense skill as a storyteller. I enjoyed all the adventures chronicled herein, particularly the Christmas "shopping" expedition, and was charmed to follow Betsy's growth as an author. I laughed over her attempted sentimental novel, The Repentance of Lady Clinton, and thrilled to her first success, with the publication of the poem, The Curtain Goes Up. As Lovelace observes at the close of this entertaining and heartwarming story, the curtain is going up on the girls' adolescence, and I, for one, am looking forward to watching it!"
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