BIBLIOGRAPHY Schmidt, Gary D., LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMINSTER BOY.

New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. ISBN 9780618439294 PLOT SUMMARY It is 1912 and Turner Buckminster and his parents have arrived in Phippsburg, Maine, so that his father can become the towns new minister. Turner has found that this new territory is very different from his hometown of Boston and this new adventure had led to one disaster after another. These disasters are offset by the friendship he finds with Lizzie Bright Griffin, a young black girl who lives on Malaga Island. Turner finds solace on Malaga Island because of the freedom to laugh and play as a child with no judgment from others. The only thing that saved him from absolute suffocation w as the sea breeze somersaultingrunning and panting like a dog. And he followed it, pulling at his collar, trying not to wish what a ministers son should not wish. In Phippsburg, being the ministers son casts such a bright light on Turner that he cannot escape any type of miniscule sidestep including not fitting in with the boys to chipping paint off of one of the neighbors fences. Unfortunately, Turners fate allows provisions of major catastrophes as well and he as a young boy must decide how to navigate the choppy waters of life. He has to endure the ultimate loss of friends and family from the evils of racism and righteousness. Although Turner faces many tragedies, these realities do not make him cynical; they only strengthen his steadfastness in generosity and kindness. CRITICAL ANALYSIS Turner Buckminsters character is just like any thirteen year old boy or girl trying to find their way in life and like many kids today he discovers that it is not so easy moving to a new city. This city, however, happens to be Phippsburg, Maine, and its residents easily cast judgment on those who do not abide by the conformities of their town. In this puritanical setting, all homes are painted white with green shutters except for Mrs. Hurd who decides to color her door a bold red with yellow shutters. Her character is considered by everyone in town, with the exception of Turner, to be, daft as a loon. This judgment extends to Turner, including the disapproving eyes of his own father, and many times Turners character feels constricted in his starchy white shirts that he would prefer to, light out for the Territories. Mrs. Hurd understands Turner and says, So, Turner Buckminster IIIwhen you look through the number at the end of your name, does it seem like youre looking through prison bars? Turner is surprised by her observation and admits, SometimesI just want to light out Mrs. Hurds character connects with Turners and responds, Oh yesI do, too. Just light out for the Territories. These characters unite in the recognition that differences are not accepted in Phippsburg and the author depicts this with, And suddenly, Turner thought he could smell sweet grass. It is 1912, and this is a time in American history when African Americans were unfairly treated with intimidation tactics and full blown atrocities. Such is the case in this story when the elders of Phippsburg decide to clear Malaga Island of its inhabitants to be able build a tourist resort for the benefit of the citys economy. This portion of the story is in actuality a reality in that Malaga Island

was a genuine place with interracial inhabitants who were forcibly removed along with their burial sites. The author creates a plot with many misfortunes, however, he provides a reprieve for Turners character with his friendship to Lizzie. They enjoy many escapades from digging for clams to a life changing moment of coming eye to eye with a whale. Lizzies home is described as a house with, Its boardsworped beyond hope, and its roof slumped in the middle like fallen pudding. Lizzie says she would like to take her grandfathers dory and take it, past West Point, past Hermit, past Bald Head, and drift alone with the whales in the open water. The author reveals that Lizzie and Turner are similar in their ideas of traveling away from home; however, it is clear that Lizzies character would always return because she considers her Island a paradise. Turner and Lizzies characters share so many similarities to children of today who are establ ished firmly in their friendships regardless of their differences. The setting and plot provide an honest backdrop during a time in our American history and therefore is heartbreakingly real in nature but draws readers in with the beauty of ones strength, friendship, and kindness. The author creates a magnificent combination of the tribulations of life with the gems of life including the magical time of childhood as well as our connection to each other and our connection to nature. Schmidt creates vivid pictures with descriptions that hit all five senses as he does in the very first chapter as well as throughout this beautiful story. REVIEW EXCERPTS Newbery Honor 2005 Michael L. Printz Honor 2005 Kirkus Starred Schmidt takes his time with his tale, spinning gloriously figurative language that brilliantl y evokes both place and emotion. Turner himself is a wonderfully rich character, his moral and intellectual growth developing naturally from the boy the reader first meets. There can be no happy ending to this story, but the telling is both beautiful and emotionally honest, both funny and piercingly sad. Booklist Starred The novel may be too long and detailed for some readers, with every plot strand and character accounted for. But the removal of the Malaga community really happened, and Schmidt weaves that history into a powerful tale of friendship and coming-of-age, adding a lyrical sense of the coastal landscape. Characters are drawn without reverence in this haunting combination of fact and fiction that has a powerful and tragic climax. CONNECTIONS Gather other books from Gary D. Schmidt such as:

Newbery Honor Book - THE WEDNESDAY WARS. ISBN 9780618724833 OKAY FOR NOW. ISBN 0547152604 TROUBLE. ISBN 9780618927661

Research the history and connection of Malaga Island and Maine. Use as a connection to an American history unit about slavery and equal rights. Use in combination of a writing assignment about overcoming adversity. Use as a connection to the geography and history of Maine and Massachusetts.