Dont Call Me Katie Rose

Katie Rose and Stacy Belford #1

by Lenora Mattingly Weber

Katie Rose Belford is in her first year at Adams High. She is intent on being called Kathleen and takes on a sophisticated image in order to impress Bruce Seerie, a star athlete of Adams High. "Kathleen's" emotions and finances become quite strained as she lives beyond her means. Does the pressure become too stressful?

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens, Teen, American, 20th Century

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Lenora Mattingly, though born in Missouri, lived most of her life in Denver, Colorado. In 1916 she married Albert Herman Weber and was the mother of six children.

Weber's first book, Wind on the Prairie, was published in 1929. From 1930 through 1962 she wrote short stories for magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, McCall's, and Good Housekeeping. Her last book was published posthumously in 1972.

Lenora Mattingly Weber’s favorite topics included the Denver area, horses, and teenage girls. In 1943 the first Beany Malone book, Meet the Malones, was published. Beany Malone became Weber's most well-known creation, featured in 14 books and appearing as a minor character in the Katie Rose Belford and Stacy Belford series.

Reviews

[Candy Bassinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book that I read so long ago. Recently I re read all the Beany Malone books. Oh my goodness, the last book especially was a tear jerker. Lenora Mattingly Weber was an awesome writer. I remember I spent my first 2 high school summers going to the library and reading her books! I worked at a day camp and at a day care center as a volunteer and I read Lenora Mattingly Weber's books by night. My parents never had to worry about me getting into trouble. I was either working or reading! Her books are so true to life! Though dated now, I still enjoyed them tremendously the second time around!

[Katt Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love book by Leona Mattingly Weber and this one does not disappoint. While there were times that I really wanted to give Katie Rose (excuse me, Kathleen) a really hard shake, I did love her and wanted things to work out for her. This is the first book I've read of this particular series and now feel the need to go hunting to find the rest.

What's even better is the cameo by Beany Malone. So nice to see her all grown up and happy!

What Leona always did so well with her heroines was done in this book again - she captured so perfectly the angst and uneasiness of growing up and fitting in. And always her characters end up the better for it, even as they fumble their way through life initially.

I think that one of the reasons why I have a large family now was due to reading Leona's books about large family units that work together and play together and love each other so openly.

So while this book might be a bit dated in some respects, I want to say that there's nothing dated at all about the emotions and the trials and the complications of family life portrayed. I recommend this to any young person struggling with who they are.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm named after the girl in this story, so it will always be a special book for me.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one! I had heard that the Katie Rose/Stacy Belford books weren't as good as the Beany Malone ones, but if this first volume is any indication, I think they hold up very well!

Some random thoughts: It's kind of weird that Ben calls his mom names like “sweetie,” “gorgeous,” and “Baby Doll." Babysitting was so cheap back then (131)! Oops! Glenn Miller is spelled wrong in this (they left off an ‘n’ in his first name on 209). Gosh, they hit a lot of dogs in this (113, 208, etc.). Eh…that’s an odd comment from Miguel about bashing Katie Rose’s teeth in (299)…even if it was all in jest. Also slightly appalled by the fact that the mom hits the kids (272).

It's interesting to note some of similarities to the Beany books. For example, both series feature a single parent household, and the best friend dates the protagonist's brother. Beany even makes an appearance in this book (277)!

I like how there are real lessons learned—about not judging others on appearances, not being ashamed of your family, and not being something you're not. The messages may be nothing new, but that doesn't diminish their timeless importance. Weber writes with her usual warmth and understanding of both the highs and lows of growing up, and the book as a whole makes for a very endearing and enjoyable read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet book that I read so long ago, Everyone calls her Katie Rose , She is going to High School and decides that she wants to be called Kathleen , She falls for the wrong guy, when the right guy litterly falls into her home. This brought memories of when I wanted to change my name . The Rascle of an Uncle whom you really adore, The love of true friends . The book takes you from who you would like to be to learn to like who you really are.

[Hollie Robb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it as a child, and I still love it as an adult. It is good and easy to read. It is worth your time.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little series of books that I read back in junior high.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just rereading one of my childhood favorites. I read all of the Weber books again and again as a kid, and I still pick them up as an adult.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Irish-American teenager in Denver.

[Katie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenora Mattingly Weber’s novel, Don’t Call Me Katie Rose, tells the story of Katie Rose Belford, a young insecure girl making her way into high school. As she struggles with romance, friendship, and self-acceptance, we see her confront many issues current teenagers battle too. The story is set in the 1960s when family and gender roles were very important. The importance of reputation and being respectable people was very stressed by society. This was also a time in America when Irish people were still somewhat frowned upon. Katie Rose Belford struggles to hide her Irish Catholic family from the scrutinizing eye of the public. Katie Rose tries to maintain her reputation, but her family always seems to embarrass her and hold her back from achieving the teenage socialite title she strives for. Insecurities and self-doubt obstruct Katie Rose from making meaningful connections and nurturing her relationships with her family. “‘So Katie Rose isn’t high-toned enough for the Duchess. Oh deary me, it has a low Irish sound.’” (Weber 38) In trying to get her family and others to take her more seriously, Katie Rose insists on being called Kathleen as she starts her new school. This is when her family starts to grasp that she is ashamed of them and her heritage. I think this book, while written so long ago, is still very relevant to conflicts teenagers encounter in today’s society. Though the book may seem slow to some readers, I found it very enjoyable and I would recommend reading it. It teaches valuable lessons that allow you to reflect on your own life and prioritize the people and things that mean the most to you. 293

[Maria Copeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lenora Mattingly Weber's books typically share a handful of aspects: strong family relationships, independence, responsibility, impulsive protagonists. Oh, and teen romance; if that's not your cup of tea, you decidedly won't enjoy her books.

This one is similar; resentful of the poverty of her large Irish family, sixteen-year-old Katie Rose spends her money on pretty clothes and demands to be called Kathleen to improve her image at a new school. She learns to appreciate her boisterous family and to be authentic before her friends. A couple darker issues edge in; Katie Rose's uncle is a recovering alcoholic. But there's also Katie Rose and Stacy's up-and-down sister relationship, small Jill's habit of sniffing at food before she tries it (oh goodness it's the truth), and a cameo from happily married Beany from the Beany Malone series. The setting fascinates me; it's 1940s/50s in Denver, CO, and I love the atmosphere of half-a-century-old slang and clothing and style and ideas.

Recommend for teen girls, if you can get your hands on a copy (I've only been able to borrow and find on Amazon).

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, teenage angst! Figuring out who you are, embarassment over your family, wanting more in life, wanting the good-looking boy, learning to empathize with others, learning to be content. Katie Rose goes through it all and emerges with some budding maturity. The Belfords have a little more troubled, gritty life than the Malones - a drunken, broken uncle, a widowed mother doing her best in her own way with a houseful of kids and not enough money, fighting and scrapping, but when push comes to shove, their sense of family is just as strong. Beany Malone makes a brief appearance so that we get a little life update, post-wedding.

[Stacy Charlesbois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love it so much. Over the top, but true

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brought back girlish memories

This was one of my favourites when I was a young teen! Brought back many great, warm memories for me.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute

With a relatively applicable message for anyone young adult that wants to have things different in their family, but realizes they can be grateful for what they have.

[Meg W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this Irish Catholic family! The Belfords are a completely different family from Webers more famously known Malones. Although they both lost a parent their situations in life are different. The Malones, also Irish, did not seem to embrace or be as steeped in their Irish heritage as the Belfords. The happy go lucky family, who takes on hardships without a bat of an eyelid, is such a pleasure to read about and get to know.