Book Review: Carney's House Party and Winona's Pony Cart by Maud Hart Lovelace

Release Date: October 12, 2010 (reprint)

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Age Group: YA/children's/crossover
Pages: 448

Source: Review copy from publisher.

Summary:

It is the summer of 1911 and Carney Sibley is back home in her beloved town of Deep Valley, Minnesota. She's looking forward to hosting a month-long house party, with guests including her Vassar college roommate Isobel Porteous and old chum Betsy Ray. With lots of the old Crowd and a new friend -wealthy, unkempt but lovable Sam Hutchinson-around, the days are filled with fun. And romance seems to be in the air. But Carney can never be romantic about anyone but Larry Humphreys, her high school sweetheart, who moved to California four years ago. Then Larry returns to Deep Valley and sets the town abuzz. Will Larry propose? And will Carney say yes?
Included with Carney's House Party is the bonus children's novel by Maud Hart Lovelace, Winona's Pony Cart. Winona Root is almost eight years old. More than anything in the world, she wants a pony for her birthday. She wishes so hard for a pony that she's sure to get one-at least, that's what she tells her friends Betsy, Tacy and Tib. It's only when the exciting day grows near that Winona begins to wonder: What if her father meant it when he said she couldn't have a pony? (From HarperCollins)
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Carney and Winona* are characters from Maud Hart Lovelace's wildly popular Betsy-Tacy books. If you haven't heard of the series, you're not alone--the series began in 1940. Carney and Winona were first published in 1949 and 1953, respectively. The Betsy-Tacy books have maintained a loyal following ever since.** And from what I can tell, the people who like Maud Hart Lovelace's books really like them.

Carney and Winona join Emily of Deep Valley in a reprint of Two Deep Valley Books featuring characters from the Betsy-Tacy series. I recently read Emily and fell in love with Deep Valley, the setting of Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy books.

I expected to like Carney, and I did. The beginning of the book finds Carney at Vassar, finishing her sophomore year of college. There are pompadours, class day dresses, massive daisy chains, and hot cocoa parties. Everything about this novel is cute and cozy, yet smart. Lovelace brings up complex, real-life problems and offers insightful ideas that, as far as I can tell, are standing the test of time. (About sixty years, anyway.) Carney has been in love with Larry, who moved to California while the two were in high school, for years. They've been faithful pen pals, and she's sure he's the one. Like life, though, things don't always go how one expects. I won't spoil the story, but I will say that the romance is squeal-worthy. Carney contains one of my new favorite kissing scenes.

Maud Hart Lovelace based her books on her childhood, but she knew how to combine reality and fiction to make a good story. My favorite thing about the character of Carney is her ability to think and reason through her feelings. She's a strong, self-confident young woman.

Winona is short, sweet, and funny. Basically, Winona wants a pony. She also wants to invite lots of people to her birthday party. Misunderstandings both embarrassing and hilarious give way to a satisfying ending. Both Carney and Winona are written clearly (with younger readers in mind) and with the same sweet humor that stays just shy of too sugary. Carney was my favorite work of the two, but Winona seems like she'd be a favorite with children, especially when read aloud. In any case, don't let the children's lit category put you off these books. Carney's House Party and Emily of Deep Valley are easily some of the best books I've read in the last few years. They've earned the right to be called modern classics, and they possess enough humor and insight to satisfy all ages.***
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*I keep wanting to call her Ramona; it's easier to type.
**The Betsy-Tacy Society in Mankato, MN. How many series with full blown historical societies do you know of?
***This book also contains a foreword from Melissa Wiley, another reader who discovered Lovelace's works as an adult. If you've ever wondered what prefacing a favorite--and classic--book is like, check out my interview with Mitali Perkins on prefacing Emily of Deep Valley.

Author Interview: Mitali Perkins

I recently received the chance to review Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace. I LOVED it. Emily was originally released in 1950, and was re-released last month by Harper Perennial with a new foreword by author Mitali Perkins. Mitali was born in India, and in her foreword she recounts her discovery of Emily at a public library when she was relatively new to America.

The library I currently work at serves a lot of immigrant families and a large, diverse group of kids hang out at the library after school. I was especially touched by the Mitali's affection for books. I recently asked Mitali some questions about writing the foreword for Emily of Deep Valley, and I'm happy to have some new book recommendations for bored kids. (And bored me.)
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In the foreword you discuss how Lovelace’s books possess essential storytelling ingredients: people, place, and plot. Which Lovelace characters do you most enjoy spending time with?

I love how Betsy starts the school year with introspection, setting goals for her writing and life. But my favorite, of course, is Emily, because of her courage in a tough situation.

You enjoyed Lovelace’s books as a child—do you think they influence your writing?

Definitely! I strive to convey the uplifting values and hope Lovelace effortlessly intertwined into her excellent stories.

Your foreword tells the beautiful story of your childhood discovery of the Betsy-Tacy books and Emily when you were fairly new to America. Are there other books that spoke to you in similar ways? (Do follow the links for Mitali's thoughts on each of these books.)

Little Women. A Little Princess. Anne of Green Gables. And many, many more.

Did writing the foreword to Emily of Deep Valley come easily? What is prefacing one of your favorite books like?

It was a piece of cake because I love the book so much. And such an honor to be asked! I'm still floating.

How do you think Emily of Deep Valley and Maud Hart Lovelace’s other books measure up to contemporary young adult and children’s literature?

I think they're better than most contemporary novels, including my own. I'm organizing a tweet-read of the book this week where I'm asking people to comment on why this book earns the label of a classic, especially when it comes to issues of race, class, culture and gender. The hashtag is #kidclassic.

I must admit that I’ve never read your books. Do you have a favorite work or one you recommend starting with?

Why not travel to India with Jazz in Monsoon Summer? Or if you're looking for a quicker read, visit Bangladesh with Naima in Rickshaw Girl.

Please describe your newest book, Bamboo People, in three words.

Boys. War. Choices.

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Thank you, Mitali! You can find out more about Mitali Perkins at her blog. A list of her books can be found here.

Stay tuned for more Maud Hart Lovelace fun with Carney's House Party and Winona's Pony Cart--another book to gush about.

Book Review: Emily of Deep Valley: A Deep Valley Book by Maud Hart Lovelace

Release Date: October 12, 2010 (reprint edition)
Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
Age Group: Defies Categorization
Pages: 336

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Summary:
Emily Webster, an orphan living with her grandfather, is not like the other girls her age in Deep Valley, Minnesota. The gulf between Emily and her classmates widens even more when they graduate from Deep Valley High School in 1912. Emily longs to go off to college with everyone else, but she can’t leave her grandfather. Emily resigns herself to facing a “lost winter,” but soon decides to stop feeling sorry for herself. And with a new program of study, a growing interest in the Syrian community, and a handsome new teacher at the high school to fill her days, Emily gains more than she ever dreamed...

In addition to her beloved Betsy-Tacy books, Maud Hart Lovelace wrote three more stories set in the fictional town of Deep Valley: Winona’s Pony Cart, Carney’s House Party and Emily of Deep Valley. Longtime fans and new readers alike will be delighted to find the Deep Valley books available again for the first time in many years. (from Harper Perennial)
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This is the first book I've read by Maud Hart Lovelace. I know of the Betsy-Tacy books, but I've never tried them; all I know was that the people who like them really like them.*

And now I think I know why.**

The first fifty pages of Emily of Deep Valley are charming--frilly dresses, a phonograph, ice cream and old-fashioned celebrations. They are also a little dull. Emily Webster loves high school. She likes learning and being on the debating team. Unfortunately, graduation day comes and spoils that. Most of Emily's friends are heading to college and starting new chapters in their lives, but she is stuck in Deep Valley. Her parents are dead, and she lives with her good-natured grandfather, who is too elderly to be left alone, so Emily gives up college to stay with him.

While fun-loving, Emily was never the center of her social circle, and she lives through her friends' pre-college jitters. She also has a crush on Don, a boy she is clearly too good for. In one scene, Don drops by unannounced and says,
"What, no cookies?"
"Why should there be cookies?" [Emily asked.]
"I'm used to having cookies brought out at my approach."

Emily gets him some cookies. Don continues to behave obnoxiously, and Emily makes excuses for his pomposity.

When Emily's friends leave for college, she becomes downcast--but the book becomes excellent. Emily of Deep Valley was originally released in 1950, but I found it still relevant. Girls are still making excuses for impolite boys, people still feel confused after high school, and dark moods still feel like this:

Depression settled down upon [Emily], and although she tried to brush it away it thickened like a fog. . . . "A mood like this has to be fought. It's like an enemy with a gun," she told herself. But she couldn't seem to find a gun with which to fight.

Emily eventually defeats her bad mood, and she decides to pick herself up and make something of her time. Through her new activities, Emily makes new friends and discovers that her education can continue without college.

She meets boys, too. Emily's love story is beautiful, and I'm having a hard time not posting spoilers. Suffice it to say that the romance is cute, semi-unexpected, and enjoyably sensible. Emily is a girl with a spine.

The most important thing Emily does with her time, though, is reach out to the community of Syrian immigrants just outside Deep Valley. The townspeople and children give the immigrant community a hard time because of their odd manners and broken English. Immigrants still come to America, and people still forget that poor English is not a synonym for "stupid." While idealistic, Emily of Deep Valley challenges readers to rethink their gut reactions to people who are different in manner and custom.

What really kept me reading, though, was the fun and romance. I loved being in Emily's world. (It's reminiscent of the Anne of Green Gables movies. No, I haven't read those books either. Shame on me.) Since the book is meant for children, it's written clearly, which means a fast, effortless read for teens and adults. That said, this book isn't reserved for children. I recommend Emily of Deep Valley to anyone looking for a cozy hot cocoa read with a brain, a heart, and enduring appeal complete with turn-of-the-century up-dos and manners. I'm adding the Betsy-Tacy books to my reading list.
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*The Betsy-Tacy Society, anyone?
**I didn't expect to be completely enamored of this book, but I can't stop telling my roommate how much I like it. She's going to throw something at me soon.

Jane Austen's Fight Club

"No corsets, no hat pins, and no crying." (Via bookshelves of doom)