The Winds of March

Katie Rose and Stacy Belford #2

by Lenora Mattingly Weber

After a stressful period at school, Katie Rose babysits for Johnny and Miggs Malone's infant daughter, Melody. While attempting to leave the remote farm, Katie Rose and the child are kidnaped. A suspenseful story unfolds.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Childrens

294 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

[CLM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, Katie Rose, why can't you understand that Bruce is not the right guy for you? Reread to celebrate March.

Katie Rose is one of the most discontented heroines ever. While I sympathize with the desire to reinvent yourself, at a certain point one needs a little self-awareness . . .

My review: https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/20...

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When LMW introduced the Belfords, the stories got a lot darker. I have to be in the right mood to read this book, but it's still good.

[Meg W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Rose Belford, so unlike Beany Malone and yet they could be twins with their troubles. The first book Katie Rose was trouble free in comparison to Miss Malone, but she is pretty close in this one. Miguel and Jeanie are the best friends anyone could have, if Katie Rose doesn't start appreciating them more (especially Miguel) so help her. There are three things that stick in my mind after reading this book (which I enjoyed very much): 1. Katie Rose certainly deserved a minor part after the way she flaunted and bragged to Mrs. Dujardin, but when Weber clumps that with her attitude towards Bruce and Stacy I'm not a fan. Sure Katie Rose was trying to impress him and it wasn't what he needed and she wasn't very understanding or mature, but Stacy didn't have to be so unfeeling towards her sister. I loved Stacy in the first book, her flighty nature, silly words, and realness. After reading this book though, she has moved down on my list of favorite girl heroines. 2. I LOVE the cameos of my Malone friends. It makes the books that much better. 3. The way Katie Rose handles the whole kidnapping situation was wonderful, she really is a great girl.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought I had read this book when I was a young teen, but it may have been another Katie Rose book. This was mildly interesting, but it really picked up for me when Katie decided to run away to San Francisco. I thought that sounded like fun, and I was pretty disappointed that it didn't happen. . Bruce seemed kind of a dullard. As an English teacher, I liked the literary references and mentions of grammar and pronunciation. :)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, Katie Rose. She learns some hard lessons in this one, but it was still an enjoyable read.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! Weber is so good at capturing the voice and feel of adolescence. There were parts where I could really relate to Katie Rose because I had felt as she did in my own life. The teenage years sure can be rocky! Another reviewer on here mentioned that the Belford books are a lot "darker" than the Malone ones. So far, I don't really see that. They do feel a little different, but it's more of a realism difference (or something) than darker plots.

Overall, I think this book ages pretty well. There are a few cultural '60s reminders (which I generally don't mind, and often really enjoy). The descriptions of fashions and cars and the like are always fun. It did catch me off guard when they mention Rose smoking (32). Also, apparently driver's ed wasn't around back then..? It seems that Katie Rose just has to be taught how to drive and she's good to go. I'm also not sure what kind of a meal "tea" is exactly. I guess I associate that more with the Victorians! Is it just a cultural thing with the Belfords? I don't recall the Malones having an afternoon tea every day. It also really bugs me when characters say sort of abusive things, like Miguel telling Katie Rose that he could "bash [her] teeth in" (186). (A similar comment was made in Don't Call Me Katie Rose.) I really like Miguel, otherwise, but that just seems kind of violent (even though he never carries it out). It also doesn't seem to fit with his personality. As far as other content advisory, there is just a bit of swearing (a villain taking the Lord's name in vain, etc.).

I loved all the everyday scenes--Katie Rose hanging out at Jeanie's house, the "lunch bunch," and the descriptions of the babysitting experiences--which were both funny and so spot on! (I’ve definitely babysat at places like both the Purdums and the McHargs.) I also loved the cameos we got of characters from the Beany Malone books. I especially liked the one with Andy!

The whole experience with Katie Rose being jerked out of her miserable mood into a crisis was a clever twist. I thought it was interesting how the ordeal taught her what she didn't want to be like, and that it allowed her to step back and see her life differently. Again, I can definitely relate to that!

I have really enjoyed the series so far, and am glad I started reading them.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm currently rereading my favorite young adult books that no one knows anything about anymore. These are the classic family tales written by Lenora Mattingly Weber. While the Malone books are my favorite, I also devoured the Belford books. They were never quite as enjoyable though. I think it's because many of the Belford characters seem like weak imitations of the Malone characters. In this story, Katie Rose loses her love interest to her sister, she's disappointed in her part in the musical, and all she wants to do is run away from home. However, something awful does take her away from home and teaches her to appreciate her life. Weber taught life lessons in all of her books. I learned a lot from her.

[Carole K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie Rose Belford has a really bad month of March. Her woes range from not getting an expected starring role in a school play to being kidnapped. She learns that sometimes a person needs to learn a business from the ground up and that she can keep a cool headduring an emergency situation.

[Reader66 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read

[Sharyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the Katie Rose books, and my favorite of them all.