When Turner and his parents move Phippsburg, Maine Turner find life dull and stifling until he meets Lizzie Bright Griffin, a young African American girl from a nearby island. The two young children form a close bond despite Turner's fathers disapproval. The elders at Turner's fathers church decide that if they want to bring tourists in they would have to remove people on Malaga Island which is where Lizzie lives with her family. This story paints of picture of racism in the early 20th century. It is a touching story but sad at the same time. It shows how young people can grown and mature drastically in front of a reader's eyes.
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Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
(2005, Fiction - Historical Fiction, Written by Gary Schmidt)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A preacher's son stands up to a racist town.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
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What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
About Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Parents need to know that this tragic novel is based on actual events and offers much for discussion, which might spur readers on to further research. In addition to its depiction of racism in early 20th-century New England, there are relationships of many kinds to explore, moral growth and change in several characters, majority vs. minority rights, and unintended consequences of one's actions. Its lyrical and metaphorical writing are terrific examples for writing classes.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the challenges of standing up for something you believe in when popular opinion is against you. Would you have behaved any differently than Turner did if you had been in the same situation? What prompted Turner's father to change his mind about his son's actions? This tale was based on a true story, but which elements were factual -- and which were fictionalized for dramatic effect?
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