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Elizabeth and Tara*Starr #1
P.S. Longer Letter Later
Elizabeth and Tara*Starr are totally different. Tara*Starr wears glitter and sequins, loves to be the center of attention, and has two parents who won't grow up. Elizabeth is shy and quiet, hates being the center of attention, and lives in a house where possessions are more important than feelings.
Of course, Elizabeth and Tara*Starr are best friends.
Then Tara*Starr moves away, and the two girls must continue their friendship through letters. At first, this is no problem. But then their lives begin to change--sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the much worse. Can they stay best friends forever. . or will the distance tear them apart?
Of course, Elizabeth and Tara*Starr are best friends.
Then Tara*Starr moves away, and the two girls must continue their friendship through letters. At first, this is no problem. But then their lives begin to change--sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the much worse. Can they stay best friends forever. . or will the distance tear them apart?
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
39 people are currently reading
1132 people want to read
About the author
Paula Danziger
116 books349 followersPaula Danziger was an American children's author. She wrote more than 30 books, including her 1974 debut The Cat Ate My Gymsuit, for children's and young adult audiences. At the time of her death, all her books were still in print; they had been published in 53 countries and translated into 14 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
June 10, 2015
I found this book in a St Vincents De Paul Centre whilst on holidays and picked it up for my daughters. I was excited to find it was co authored by the author of my favourite childhood series, Ann M. Martin. I finally got to it a couple of years later whilst looking for a simple read. Her co author is Paula Danziger. This book is consisted of letter correspondence in the voice of two teenagers, after they are separated by one of the families moving. This is a simple premise, but the issues such as divorce, alcoholism and redundancy are covered, and treated with respect, all in the era pre mobile phones, internet and email. This makes for interesting and refreshing reading. Knowing a little history of Ann M. Martin I could see her quiet nature reflected in the cautious sensible Elizabeth, and Tara* Starr was the fitting voice of the more extrovert, Paula Danziger. We will meet the girls again when they correspond via email, and I am looking forward to it. The girls will continue to learn more about themselves and each other, and much more about life as they grow up, I'm sure.
July 11, 2016
Some people were just born to be children's book writers. Paula Danziger was one of those people. Danziger really "got" and cared for her child audience. It shows on every page. Not just this wonderful work but in everything she wrote for children. P.S Longer Later Letter is one of my fav Paula Danziger titles.
January 31, 2009
I love this book because it reflects something that could happen in real life and the that no matter where you are or how far away your friends will always be there!
June 17, 2019
I remember reading and LOVING this book as well as the sequel when I was younger. I read them over and over again. I’m in a very nostalgic mood as I move towards my birthday and I’ve been wanting to reread my childhood favorites. It’s still such a good book and talks about a lot of very important topic for kids around their age. I think it still holds up to this day!
October 27, 2018
P.S. Longer Letter Later by Paula Danziger is probably one of the best books I have read! It was very interesting to know what would happen next and made me turn the pages. It was about these two girls that were best friends but moved away from each other and had two different lives and kept their friendship together by sending each other letters. They were helping each other with the problems that they had with their own lives. To me this book taught me and probably others that a relationship can last forever. I would read this book again!
October 29, 2022
I picked up the duology at a library book sale last month and I had no clue it was a two-book series! I buddy read the sequel with a frenemy in middle school and I still remember elements of it to this day. I never forgot that Tara's sister was named Scarlet because they both referenced Gone With the Wind. Reading this collection as an adult was completely different. I was able to read in between the lines and it was far more depressing than I remember. I never noticed the alcoholism and depression when I first read this as a preteen. P.S. Longer Letter Later is an epistolary series of two girls sending letters to each other across state lines. Elizabeth is having a much worse time than Tara and her problems are far bigger than boy problems or young parents. Tara was really annoying and her perspective felt tone deaf in comparison to Elizabeth. It was great to find out that Ann M. Martin was responsible for books I read in school like Doll People and PSLL before I even discovered Babysitters Club. She's an absolute icon and has been with me before I even realized it! This series definitely put me in a definite funk and I needed some cozy books afterward to remedy it. I'll always love epistolary fiction and I have this duology to thank!
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February 7, 2017Before smart phones, before widespread internet/e-mail how in the world could two best friends communicate long-distance? Why, with (handwritten) letters, of course! 12-year-old best friends Elizabeth and Tara have just been separated by forces outside of their control. Despite having completely different personalities and families, the two girls depend on one another for support through their correspondences as their lives take unexpected twists and turns. The authors, Danziger and Martin, are friends in real life which brings an honest tone to the girls’ letters. Of course, 12-year-old girls are bound to hyperbolize, but they both experience some truly difficult situations and can be relatable to even a modern-day tween. The antiquated form of communication will probably baffle younger readers, but also give them a glimpse into what life was like for those of us who grew up before technology surged forward. The audio book is an added treat as both of the authors narrate. Give this book a try - whether out of curiosity or nostalgia! –Hannah V.
February 25, 2024
I read this in middle school and have randomly thought about it throughout the years. It was great to read it again. Reminded me of being pen pals with my friends back in the day.
books-from-my-childhood
January 17, 2022One of my favourite books growing up. I loved all the letter writing!
August 21, 2020
P.S longer letter later by Paula Danziger is one of my favorite books, because its something that I think happens in real life. It's about 2 best friends, one of them moves to a different place far away so there not able to see each other. One of them sends a letter to the other, some time goes by and she doesn't get a letter back. She begins to think that she forgot about her, but then a little while later she gets one. both of their parents haven't been getting along so they say that there not allowed to visit each other. so the only thing they could do is send letters to each other. I think this happens a lot in real life, which I think is very sad. this book shows that it happens.
September 7, 2023
This is a wonderful book of letters! It was due for a re-read.
Still remember the time I met Paula Danziger when I was on the Friends of the Library committee in Greenwood.
Still remember the time I met Paula Danziger when I was on the Friends of the Library committee in Greenwood.
November 25, 2012
So, I know this is a children's book. It was on my bookshelf and I had never read it before, so I just got it out of the way and read it. It took me less than 3 hours to complete it, so it was definitely a quick read. I know that I would have liked it a lot if I were younger, probably, but I'm in high school now so I didn't see it in that way, which is expected of course. :)
This book is about 2 best friends who keep in touch through letters as one of them moves away-they can't talk much through the phone as one of their fathers won't allow it-and it's over a period of a whole year. It's a bit boring, but since it was such a quick read I didn't get too bored. One of the girls goes through a ton of financial problems, and that takes up the majority of the book. It seems like a book that was written a long time ago, which I suppose it might have been.
I don't really see how this title matches the book. I mean, they say it like a total of 3 times in the book. Just 3. I guess it is a lot better than a lot of other possible book names, but there could have been one that could have matched it perfectly. When was the girls' birthdays, by the way? They never mentioned a birthday and it was almost an entire year! But, whatever. I didn't get too into the book, because, obviously, it's a children's book and not my type, but it was cute and I didn't dislike it.
I can't say much of the book because, as I said, I didn't get into it and it was short, so that's really all I could say for it! I recommend it for elementary-middle schoolers. Not a high schooler...like me. Haha.
Overall rating: 2.3 stars.
This book is about 2 best friends who keep in touch through letters as one of them moves away-they can't talk much through the phone as one of their fathers won't allow it-and it's over a period of a whole year. It's a bit boring, but since it was such a quick read I didn't get too bored. One of the girls goes through a ton of financial problems, and that takes up the majority of the book. It seems like a book that was written a long time ago, which I suppose it might have been.
I don't really see how this title matches the book. I mean, they say it like a total of 3 times in the book. Just 3. I guess it is a lot better than a lot of other possible book names, but there could have been one that could have matched it perfectly. When was the girls' birthdays, by the way? They never mentioned a birthday and it was almost an entire year! But, whatever. I didn't get too into the book, because, obviously, it's a children's book and not my type, but it was cute and I didn't dislike it.
I can't say much of the book because, as I said, I didn't get into it and it was short, so that's really all I could say for it! I recommend it for elementary-middle schoolers. Not a high schooler...like me. Haha.
Overall rating: 2.3 stars.
October 2, 2009
This book is a book of letters that BFF's send each other, when one of them moves away. One girl, rich and lonely begins to have problems at home, and the other girl, also gets very upset. But they stick through it together, and find a way to carry on, with the help of themselves, and their new friends.
1) I heard about this book, from a friend, that is also very close to me, like the girls in this story.
4)I think that the author, wanted us to takw away from the book, that even though friends are apart, true friends will stick together, and help each other, no matter where they are.
5) I would recommend this book to anyone that has this kind of situation, because the author makes it really easy to relate to the book, even if you have never been in this situation before.
7) A story of two girls that met in the 6th grade and been the best of friends since, and will be forever.
9) If this book had a background story, instead of just jumping right into the letters, t would have made more sense at first.
1) I heard about this book, from a friend, that is also very close to me, like the girls in this story.
4)I think that the author, wanted us to takw away from the book, that even though friends are apart, true friends will stick together, and help each other, no matter where they are.
5) I would recommend this book to anyone that has this kind of situation, because the author makes it really easy to relate to the book, even if you have never been in this situation before.
7) A story of two girls that met in the 6th grade and been the best of friends since, and will be forever.
9) If this book had a background story, instead of just jumping right into the letters, t would have made more sense at first.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2015
Ps longer letter later by Paula danziger is about two best friends named Elizabeth and Tara-star who have known each other for a very long time. but when they hit seventh grade Tara-star has to move away due to her childish parents and they must continue their friendship through letters.
Elizabeth is shy. She loves writing poetry. She has a little sister who she always babysits and devotes most of her time to. She has an
"alcoholic father". Tara-star loves attention and wears a lot of jewelry. She has very childish parents and calls her parents by there first names.
The book is basically just letters back-and-forth from the perspectives of the two girls. their writing styles are really different from each other which is really cool to see. And it's also cool to see how each girl reacts to the letter that was sent to her.
I recommend this book for people who like realistic fiction and books about Family life.
Elizabeth is shy. She loves writing poetry. She has a little sister who she always babysits and devotes most of her time to. She has an
"alcoholic father". Tara-star loves attention and wears a lot of jewelry. She has very childish parents and calls her parents by there first names.
The book is basically just letters back-and-forth from the perspectives of the two girls. their writing styles are really different from each other which is really cool to see. And it's also cool to see how each girl reacts to the letter that was sent to her.
I recommend this book for people who like realistic fiction and books about Family life.
January 16, 2009
This is the kind of books that I think I like to read a lot. This book is written in the format of letters between two best friends, Elisabeth and Tara. Even though, they don't live in the same place now, they contact one another through letters. I feel like I am reading people's secrets, or things deep inside their heart when I read these kind of books. Because they will not lie to each other since they are best friends, and from these letters, you can really see what they are really thinking. I learned from this book that when people treat you as a friend, you guys will always be friends even though you don't hang out together anymore. Because no matter how far apart friends are, they will always be friends.
March 17, 2016
i wasnt disappointed in this book and thats because i had absolutely no expectations. ive never heard of it before, i just wanted a decent looking book..
it was pretty similar to most other 1990s girls ya novels. the cover looks like its straight out of full house which is understandable.
three stars is reserved for books that i finished but weren't my alltime favorite. if its a two star or a one star, i had to read it for school and i didnt like it. i dont rate books i didnt finish. so this is three stars lol
it was pretty similar to most other 1990s girls ya novels. the cover looks like its straight out of full house which is understandable.
three stars is reserved for books that i finished but weren't my alltime favorite. if its a two star or a one star, i had to read it for school and i didnt like it. i dont rate books i didnt finish. so this is three stars lol
October 27, 2014
I can't really be objective about this book. I found it on my Mum's bookshelf last week and absolutely had to read it again. It's short and sweet and made me feel like I was twelve again. And hasn't actually dated too badly, despite the severe lack of technology (oh, late nineties!). A lovely little read for older kids and younger teens (and nostalgic twenty-something's).
October 27, 2007
This book is about two girls Tara*Starr and Elizabeth. Tara*Starr moved away. So to keep in touch they send letters to each other. Then Elibeth's life went bannas, while Tara*Starr life was going fine.
December 29, 2014
I loveddddddddddddddddd this book! It was such a good read for me
I read it multiple times. Back when I actually read books over often enough. But I would recommend this book. 11-15yr olds I think would be the perfectbtiming to read this book. But ofc you can read this if you are much older.
I read it multiple times. Back when I actually read books over often enough. But I would recommend this book. 11-15yr olds I think would be the perfectbtiming to read this book. But ofc you can read this if you are much older.
July 21, 2015
this is my absolute favorite book of all time. Its about two girls that are best friends that help each other through their families "mid life crisis's"
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May 25, 2011I loved this book! It was so good! I love books that are written inletter form. I recomend it to girls.
June 22, 2014
This book is really sad, but good!
September 10, 2017
Un romanzo per ragazzine davvero graziosissimo, sempre facente parte del mio reparto "letture infantili" (delle medie, in questo caso). Il libro, uscito in originale nel 1998, ha un certo gradevole sapore retrò proprio per il fatto che le due protagoniste si scrivono lettere (so però che ne è stato fatto anche un seguito in cui passano alle e-mail). Nel libro infatti si parla appena di telefoni cellulari, ancora costosissimi, e ancor meno di computer: siamo prima dell'era dei social network e degli sms. A parte questo elemento "nostalgico", il libro come ho detto è gradevolissimo: scritto bene, non banale, intrattiene senza essere sciocco; l'epistolario di queste due amiche si legge che è un piacere. L'unica pecca è forse la un po' troppa maturità (ma neanche tanta) ostentata soprattutto da una delle due ragazze, che rende qualche discorso un po' irreale e fa vedere la mano dell'autrice dietro la penna.
A parte questo, lettura perfetta per la fascia di età a cui è destinata e non a caso ricordo che, ai tempi, fu uno dei romanzi di maggior successo della collana. Avrei quasi voglia di comprare uno dei titoli che escono ora per farmi un'idea di "come sono cambiate le cose" anche per quanto riguarda questo genere di letteratura.
A parte questo, lettura perfetta per la fascia di età a cui è destinata e non a caso ricordo che, ai tempi, fu uno dei romanzi di maggior successo della collana. Avrei quasi voglia di comprare uno dei titoli che escono ora per farmi un'idea di "come sono cambiate le cose" anche per quanto riguarda questo genere di letteratura.
November 10, 2017
Okay, we've established Ann Martin is a good author (more than 100+ books in her Baby-sitters Club series, not to mention spin-offs - Baby-sitter's Little Sister, the Mystery series of Baby-sitters Club as well as a couple of specials every now and then) but Paula Danzinger, is a revelation to me. I felt like I heard of her but I can't remember where. But. She. Writes. So. Good.
Anyway, I started reading and I just couldn't put it down. If anything can get me hooked in a story, it's when kids deal with shizz far beyond their age.
Like, boyfriends, school, parents - been there, done that, got the commemorative coffee table book. But when kids have to deal with parents' divorce/separation, financial tragedies, addiction; or when kids are forced to grow up bc somebody has to be the grown-up in the family, you know that shizz about to go down.
I love how Tara*Starr and Elizabeth (Eliza*Beth) are both pretty mature for their age but at the same time, really just kids at heart. They are understanding and way mature for their age
Anyway, I started reading and I just couldn't put it down. If anything can get me hooked in a story, it's when kids deal with shizz far beyond their age.
Like, boyfriends, school, parents - been there, done that, got the commemorative coffee table book. But when kids have to deal with parents' divorce/separation, financial tragedies, addiction; or when kids are forced to grow up bc somebody has to be the grown-up in the family, you know that shizz about to go down.
I love how Tara*Starr and Elizabeth (Eliza*Beth) are both pretty mature for their age but at the same time, really just kids at heart. They are understanding and way mature for their age
May 4, 2025
4.5 stars
I've been in a bit of a reading rut, so I decided to reread one of my favorite childhood books. I'm so glad I did! This epistolary novel follows two best friends, Elizabeth and Tara*Starr, when the latter's family moves away to Ohio. I absolutely love how this book features the ups and downs of friendship. It's also admirable how the book chronicles so many real life issues that people face through the eyes of seventh graders, specifically finances, alcoholism, and family dynamics. The only critique I have is a small continuity issue that is not central to the plot (we are told about Elizabeth wearing her mother's earrings at the beginning of the book, but then she later says she doesn't have pierced ears).
Despite being set in the late 1990s, I think this book would still be relatable to kids today. Sure, if your best friend moves away, you would now be able to text or Facetime, but you would still have the disconnect of space. I can't wait to reread the next book in this duology!
I've been in a bit of a reading rut, so I decided to reread one of my favorite childhood books. I'm so glad I did! This epistolary novel follows two best friends, Elizabeth and Tara*Starr, when the latter's family moves away to Ohio. I absolutely love how this book features the ups and downs of friendship. It's also admirable how the book chronicles so many real life issues that people face through the eyes of seventh graders, specifically finances, alcoholism, and family dynamics. The only critique I have is a small continuity issue that is not central to the plot (we are told about Elizabeth wearing her mother's earrings at the beginning of the book, but then she later says she doesn't have pierced ears).
Despite being set in the late 1990s, I think this book would still be relatable to kids today. Sure, if your best friend moves away, you would now be able to text or Facetime, but you would still have the disconnect of space. I can't wait to reread the next book in this duology!
October 16, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up. This was surprisingly dark at times for a kids book from the 1990s (not that books weren’t dark then, but less dark for a book aimed at middle schoolers). There are some light content warnings about abusive/neglectful parenting, moving away, etc.
In P.S. Longer Letter Later we follow two best friends, Tara-Starr and Elizabeth, as they navigate the seventh grade after Tara moves away. Told entirely through the girls letters throughout the school year, we go through the ups and downs of family drama and making new friends. Tara-Starr is mad at her parents for making her move, and for not always acting like traditional parents. Elizabeth on the other hand had to deal with a father whose behavior is becoming scary all while helping to take care of her little sister.
I think it’s important to show kids that friendships are worth keeping and how the people there for you are sometimes the ones you least expect.
In P.S. Longer Letter Later we follow two best friends, Tara-Starr and Elizabeth, as they navigate the seventh grade after Tara moves away. Told entirely through the girls letters throughout the school year, we go through the ups and downs of family drama and making new friends. Tara-Starr is mad at her parents for making her move, and for not always acting like traditional parents. Elizabeth on the other hand had to deal with a father whose behavior is becoming scary all while helping to take care of her little sister.
I think it’s important to show kids that friendships are worth keeping and how the people there for you are sometimes the ones you least expect.
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May 7, 2022I decided to re-read these favorite books from when I was growing up. I actually still have my original copies! I don't want to rate them since at 34 years old, I'm no longer the target audience.
I think PS Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail, No more are still great reads. Lots of important topics covered in young adult friendships that are still applicable today.
I don't know if the mail and e-mail connections would still be at all relatable for young adults now. If a friend moved away, they would just text and Snapchat each other constantly. With Facetime and other instant ways of connecting, their friendship would be much easier to maintain than through penpal snail mail of the olden days.
While these books hold a special place in my heart, I think they are more of a time capsule than a story I would recommend young adults of today read.
I think PS Longer Letter Later and Snail Mail, No more are still great reads. Lots of important topics covered in young adult friendships that are still applicable today.
I don't know if the mail and e-mail connections would still be at all relatable for young adults now. If a friend moved away, they would just text and Snapchat each other constantly. With Facetime and other instant ways of connecting, their friendship would be much easier to maintain than through penpal snail mail of the olden days.
While these books hold a special place in my heart, I think they are more of a time capsule than a story I would recommend young adults of today read.
May 3, 2024
Two teenage girls have to adjust to their new friendship of communicating through letters whilst one begins a whole new life far away, and the other stays local. They write about their general lives like what’s going on at school, and their shared writing hobby. But they’re also confiding in one another about more serious events that end up taking place unexpectedly! But what could they be?
This took me a while to get into but it definitely improved as it went on in my opinion! I did find it a bit confusing as to which girl was living which life but I feel as though that was just a personal struggle rather than something that would be an issue for everyone. Despite this I thoroughly enjoyed it towards the end and was sad it ended when it did. I was left wanting to know what happened next, and in their future!
This took me a while to get into but it definitely improved as it went on in my opinion! I did find it a bit confusing as to which girl was living which life but I feel as though that was just a personal struggle rather than something that would be an issue for everyone. Despite this I thoroughly enjoyed it towards the end and was sad it ended when it did. I was left wanting to know what happened next, and in their future!
October 24, 2019
This book was actually on my "to buy" list because I liked it a lot when I was younger, but I found a copy today, read it, and am now glad that I didn't pay for my own copy. It's still a fun little book--probably a great choice for readers with short attention spans--with a big nostalgia factor because of when I first read it and what Tara and Elizabeth experience/discuss, but it's not an incredibly remarkable story or writing style(s). The authors said that they didn't start out with a plan but simply replied with real letters back and forth, which is an interesting method and one I wouldn't mind trying.
I did think, during this reread, that Angela and Maddie's voices from the TTYL series sound suspiciously like Tara and Elizabeth's voices. Hmm...
I did think, during this reread, that Angela and Maddie's voices from the TTYL series sound suspiciously like Tara and Elizabeth's voices. Hmm...
April 22, 2024
When I think about this book, I think about how it was one of those books that introduced me to big subjects like alcoholism and teen pregnancy (with Tara-Starr's parents). It's always stuck with me since I read it for the first time when I was 9 (admittedly, a little too young to read it probably). But it holds a special place in my heart as does Tara-Starr and Elizabeth. I couldn't relate to either of their stories personally, even now but I do love them so even now.
I just found out two things about this book recently. Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin wrote the whole thing in letter form without any idea of where it was headed - which makes me love it more, and that Paula Danzinger passed away when I was like 14, and that made me sad.
I just found out two things about this book recently. Paula Danziger and Ann M. Martin wrote the whole thing in letter form without any idea of where it was headed - which makes me love it more, and that Paula Danzinger passed away when I was like 14, and that made me sad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews