Sandy

by Elizabeth Gray Vining

Sandy at 17, has just finished her freshman year at college. She is restless in the small, exclusive summer resort near Boston -- her father is in the Navy, most of the "old gang" are in the service, everyone is "doing something". But her father and her aunt, with whom she lives, will not let her take a city job. So she takes a job as waitress at the Windrush Inn, hoping to thereby bridge the social gap and get to know the "natives". But it doesn't work that way, though she has adventures, falls in love and ultimately resolves her restlessness by deciding to give up college and join UNRRA.

233 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1945

About the author

Elizabeth Gray Vining began her distinguished writing career with children's books because she said "they enjoy their books so much, read and re-read them—which is satisfying to a hard-working author." Later she began to write for adults as well, and they, too, read and re-read her books. among the most popular of these books are Windows for the Crown Prince, The Virginia Exiles, Friend of Life, Take Heed of Loving Me, and Flora.
—From the back of "Return To Japan"
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Elizabeth Janet Gray, also known as Elizabeth Gray Vining, was a prominent Quaker, known for having gone to Japan after World War II to tutor Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was the Crown Prince. She was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College, and a noted author of children's and adult literature. She won the Newbery Award for Adam of the Road, published in 1942.

Reviews

[Lexie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this the summer between sixth and seventh (elementary and junior high), as one of the books I got from my elementary school library during their purge of the shelves.

Its beat up, missing its dust jacket, somewhat torn up and shabby with aged tape markings and pages torn out from the front and back. Its originally from 1945 and its age, even back in 1996, showed. Its one of the books I affectionately called "Baby Boomer Teen Lit".

Its hard to connect with Sandy for me now, though as a 12 year old it was easier as I had no idea what being a teenager meant.

I also find it hard to stay interested in what is essentially a story about a girl relaxing for the summer. Her biggest problem is the new family maid, who resembles the witch from Hansel & Greta, and the guy she admires catching her at her worst moments. She doesn't seem that upset about her future plans (or lack thereof).

Its just her going through her days. A kind of slice of life book I had little interest in.

[Reading with Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely surprise of a book.