The Babbs Switch Story

by Darleen Bailey Beard

A novel told in a strong Southern voice

Ruth Ann Tillman loves to sing, especially the solo in the annual Babbs Switch, Oklahoma, Christmas Tree Celebration. And no matter what Elden Larrs says teasingly, she’s good. But this year, 1924, Mom and Pop won’t let Ruthie perform. The problem is Daphne, her sister. At sixteen, four years older than Ruthie, Daphne still carries her one-armed, bald-headed doll for comfort and reaches out to stroke anything soft and soothing. When she almost smothers Mrs. Larrs’s baby this way, Mom and Pop know they’re in trouble – and that Ruthie had better not appear on the schoolhouse stage. Ruthie is indignant. Why does she have to share her life with such an oddball sister? Christmas Eve arrives, and Ruthie goes to the celebration, even though she can’t participate, and even though “daffy” Daphne is at her side. At least she can see Elden. Then the schoolhouse catches fire, as it really did on that night in Babbs Switch, and Ruthie discovers what her sister means to her.

Inspired by a tragedy, Darleen Bailey Beard’s tribute to Babbs Switch is nonetheless filled with humor and warmth and the charm of first romance.

Genres: Young Adult, Childrens, Historical Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2002

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, sweet story with good characters, a swiftly moving plot and a good message. Strangely enough, I read about the tragic event that this story is based on in a true Disasters compilation earlier this year. I may keep this book to read near Christmas each year.

[Alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely an emotional story but worth the read. Historical fiction with a strong message.

[Beth Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have seen students perform scenes from this book for two years now, so I figured it was time to read it.

The Babbs Switch Story, while the characters are fictional, is a story about a real tragedy that occurred in Oklahoma that lead to national laws for safety. The foreshadowing alone with the covered windows, the door that opens inward, and the lit candles on the Christmas trees sent red flags to my brain.

Although the last part of the book is a tragic, the heart of this book is about love...the love that parents have for their children, the love between siblings, and first love.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my soul! This is an excellent fictional story based on a true event that happened near where I live. It’s short and exciting. I read it in two hours because I literally couldn’t put it down.

[Olivia Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just darling. I read it for book club in about 4th grade. I remember devouring it and still think about it frequently. One of the first books I wanted to reread. Don’t know what it was about it but I was obsessed and totally engrossed.

[Jennifer Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was phenomenal from start to finish. It tells the true story of a schoolhouse fire through fictional characters that are so well developed and meticulously woven into the factual details of the Babbs Switch Story.

[gaia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in fourth grade when I lived in Oklahoma and I think of it every now and then. Finally managed to get access to it and it was just as beautiful and harrowing as I remember. Short, gripping read with the most charming Oklahoman sayings sprinkled in.

[Via · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a school project years ago, and still to this day remember the story like I read it yesterday. An excellent read indeed.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and hearrtwarming story about the human heart and how it cannot be defined by labels or assumptions. Ruthie and her sister display an evolving reelationship that is indicative of many who have experienced diability within their family.

The tragic story of Babbs Switch, Oklahoma provides a fasciniting backdrop for the story to unfold. It is very interesting how the author used the setting as a character itself. Wonderful imagery.

I would certainly reccomend this book as a classroom read or individual effort for third grade and up.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on a Christmas Eve, 1924 event that killed 35 people in Babbs Switch, OK, this story tells of the love and connection of two sisters. Ruth Ann Tillman is 12, and her older sister Daphne is 16; however, Daphne's disabilities cause trouble for Ruthie and her parents. The book seemed flat and more like something written in the "innocent" 1950s for youth than one written in 2003.

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully written book. However, it is depressing. I don't think you can make this story cheerful, but I almost set it down after reading the first two pages. I would say this is a book better left to older children.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding tale of two sisters, one of whom is mentally handicapped, a fire, and a missing baby in 1924 Oklahoma.

[Donaldsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tough subject, the mentally handicapped. Touching and realistic....based on a true story.

[roro gragg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book, I read it a while ago though. Based off of a historical event.

[Rondia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Historical Fiction set in a ghost town of Oklahoma.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very sad!!