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Beany Malone #6
make a wish for me
Norbett returns to Denver, just as Andy gives Beany a special wristwatch. Beany struggles with choosing between Andy and Norbett. After becoming friends with Dulcie Lungaarde, a carhop at the Ragged Robin, Beany encounters much animosity from the students at Harkness as she attempts to help the brash Dulcie.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1956
9 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Lenora Mattingly Weber
43 books55 followersLenora 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 7, 2008
Yay, Lenora Mattingly Weber! Yay, my Mom, for getting me into this awesome collection!
June 23, 2010
Lenora Mattingly Weber, Make a Wish for Me (Thomas Y. Crowell, 1956)
After the severe disappointment that was Beany Has a Secret Life, I stopped reading the series for over a year; I finally got around to pulling book #6 out of the library and reading it over the past week. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and there were a couple of times when Weber came very close to that line. But she never crossed over it in Make a Wish for Me, and we're back to the wonderful, bucolic Denver that only ever existed in Lenora Mattingly Weber's mind.
As you may remember from previous books in the series, Norbett Rhodes has gone out to Ohio to stay with his widowed aunt and help around the house, and Beany has taken up with Andy Kern as a new beau. Andy is everything Norbett wasn't—even-tempered, dependable, affable. And yet a quick letter from Norbett one day, along with a new charm for her bracelet, reinforces to Beany that something in her relationship with Norbett is missing from what she has with Andy. Still, things are going along swimmingly until Norbett shows up back in Denver, imploring Beany not to let anyone know he's there. A mystery is afoot, and it's almost enough to distract Beany from her other problems. Other problems? You know it. She's been asked to show a new girl around school, which is all well and good (and the kind of thing the Malones have long been known for) until she finds out the girl in question has already made herself extremely unpopular with much of the female student body. This includes the newspaper editor, whom Beany was hoping would ask her to go to the big spring newspaper conference in her stead. No, Beany Malone's life is never an easy one.
That's not to say that young readers of today are going to find the edginess they have come to expect given today's kidlit. Make no mistake, the Beany Malone books were written in the fifties, and the problems Beany and her family and friends face are ones familiar to those who watch TVLand these days (or who are old enough to remember when those shows were still in syndication on broadcast TV, as they were when I was a kid). Because of this, these days they're probably better suited to the nostalgia crowd than modern teens, but I think the younger generation should at least give them a shot; maybe a little of the bucolic might be just what they're looking for. *** ½
After the severe disappointment that was Beany Has a Secret Life, I stopped reading the series for over a year; I finally got around to pulling book #6 out of the library and reading it over the past week. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, and there were a couple of times when Weber came very close to that line. But she never crossed over it in Make a Wish for Me, and we're back to the wonderful, bucolic Denver that only ever existed in Lenora Mattingly Weber's mind.
As you may remember from previous books in the series, Norbett Rhodes has gone out to Ohio to stay with his widowed aunt and help around the house, and Beany has taken up with Andy Kern as a new beau. Andy is everything Norbett wasn't—even-tempered, dependable, affable. And yet a quick letter from Norbett one day, along with a new charm for her bracelet, reinforces to Beany that something in her relationship with Norbett is missing from what she has with Andy. Still, things are going along swimmingly until Norbett shows up back in Denver, imploring Beany not to let anyone know he's there. A mystery is afoot, and it's almost enough to distract Beany from her other problems. Other problems? You know it. She's been asked to show a new girl around school, which is all well and good (and the kind of thing the Malones have long been known for) until she finds out the girl in question has already made herself extremely unpopular with much of the female student body. This includes the newspaper editor, whom Beany was hoping would ask her to go to the big spring newspaper conference in her stead. No, Beany Malone's life is never an easy one.
That's not to say that young readers of today are going to find the edginess they have come to expect given today's kidlit. Make no mistake, the Beany Malone books were written in the fifties, and the problems Beany and her family and friends face are ones familiar to those who watch TVLand these days (or who are old enough to remember when those shows were still in syndication on broadcast TV, as they were when I was a kid). Because of this, these days they're probably better suited to the nostalgia crowd than modern teens, but I think the younger generation should at least give them a shot; maybe a little of the bucolic might be just what they're looking for. *** ½
September 27, 2011
I really enjoyed this one. I think it might have been one of my favorite books so far. I really like Beany and can relate to her a lot. I also enjoy seeing how her character is maturing (e.g., breaking up with Norbett. Good riddance!). She seems like the kind of girl I would love to have as a friend. I appreciated the fact that Mr. Malone was a little (little…) more present in this book, and I especially liked the encounter he had with Beany after she came home late that night. I’ve also come to like Adair a lot more. She seems like a pretty nice person to have as a stepmother! While I love the series, sometimes certain plot points have been a bit predictable. But in this one there were a few nice surprises of things I didn’t see coming. I like Andy a lot. He seems like a shrewd, thoughtful, and respectful guy—I can’t say if I’ve ever met a teenage boy with that much sense!—but his nicknames for people (knucks, turnip, etc.) do get a wee bit annoying. :) I’m willing to overlook it, though. I thought the commentary on ‘more thanning’ was really interesting. If Beany thinks times have changed since Adelaide’s era, what a shock it would be for her today. I for one appreciate and agree with (for the most part) the Malone’s (and Andy’s) views. So I was happy to see that message brought across here. One thing I do wish is that there was a bit more secondary-character continuity throughout the series. I feel like some people are invented and discarded at whim. For example, whatever happened to Sheila? To Maurine? Cynthia? Kibby? When is Ander going to reappear? At least Elizabeth and little Martie were mentioned… though ever so briefly. I’m afraid that Dulcie and Jennifer Reed will be similarly forgotten. I hope not because I think they are interesting characters. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see in the next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2008
Oh, I've read this book a hundred times since I was a kid. I don't know what it is about this series. But even as an eight-year-old kid I could appreciate both the history and the timelessness of a 1950s-era YA romance. Beany's your typical cute-but-not-beautiful, middle-of-the-social-pack observer who can, if written well, be interesting in one's own generation. But even if not written all that well, she's kind of fascinating in another generation.
Dear Beany,
When I was eight, I thought that Andy was the guy for you. How could you question a guy like that? Solid, sweet, serious, yet still able to be fun. When I got older, and read more of the series, bad-boy Norbett got increasingly appealing. But that didn't last long. Since I turned 15, I've been back on Andy's side. The roller-coaster-break-your-heart guy isn't worth it for a smart girl who's going to become a journalist. If you don't stick with Andy, find a smart guy, not a drama queen.
Sincerely,
lisa
Dear Beany,
When I was eight, I thought that Andy was the guy for you. How could you question a guy like that? Solid, sweet, serious, yet still able to be fun. When I got older, and read more of the series, bad-boy Norbett got increasingly appealing. But that didn't last long. Since I turned 15, I've been back on Andy's side. The roller-coaster-break-your-heart guy isn't worth it for a smart girl who's going to become a journalist. If you don't stick with Andy, find a smart guy, not a drama queen.
Sincerely,
lisa
September 28, 2013
Whoa! A Beany Malone book that deals with slutshaming!
Of course, Beany & co. come to the primly sexist conclusion that boys wanna and girls mustn't, or else girls will end up feeling cheap and boys won't respect them. (Respect here meaning take them to the prom, give them fraternity pins, and/or ask them to go steady.) But Weber acknowledges that it takes two to get amorous, and notes that it's always the young woman who bears the consequences, never the young man. There's also a tiny bit of understanding of how women undercut, police, and hurt each other with all the slutshaming instead of having compassion and solidarity.
Of course this not the sort of book to allow a female character to get away scot-free with being a Hot Lips (as they're called in the book)--or even admit to some hot-lipping desire. And there isn't even a glimmer in its eye of the possibility of non-hetero amour.
Of course, Beany & co. come to the primly sexist conclusion that boys wanna and girls mustn't, or else girls will end up feeling cheap and boys won't respect them. (Respect here meaning take them to the prom, give them fraternity pins, and/or ask them to go steady.) But Weber acknowledges that it takes two to get amorous, and notes that it's always the young woman who bears the consequences, never the young man. There's also a tiny bit of understanding of how women undercut, police, and hurt each other with all the slutshaming instead of having compassion and solidarity.
Of course this not the sort of book to allow a female character to get away scot-free with being a Hot Lips (as they're called in the book)--or even admit to some hot-lipping desire. And there isn't even a glimmer in its eye of the possibility of non-hetero amour.
May 18, 2013
Oh poor Beany. I just wanted to hug her so often in this book. I kind of hope that the Denver/U.S. of Weber's novels did exist at one place and time - such a lovely family and a lot of "homespun" wisdom. While the novels are somewhat dated, the feeling of being caught between different loyalties and the notions of trust, conscience and friendship are things that are still worth exploring. I hope my daughters will read these books and love them as I do. I'm now in my 40s but boy, I still wish I were up to Beany's standard in my own life and behaviour!
December 17, 2015
One of my favourites of the Beany series. Weber takes on the problem of teenage boy-girl behaviour with a creative twist: her characters use the vocabulary from a Harkness High school play about Victorian morals to create an original set of euphemisms for words that probably wouldn't have been acceptable in a 1956 teen novel.
June 18, 2017
My favorite Beany after book #1. I would have given it five stars if there had been no Norbett Rhodes, but
The other thing that raised my eyebrow was the fact that Dulcie was the one who got slutshamed for dating Jag even though Jag was going steady with Jennifer. No expectations at all of the guy in the relationship to not cheat on his girlfriend. At the end, the author even says something about how great it is that Jennifer took Jag back again, despite his roving eye. Um, that's b@!!$%*).
The other thing that raised my eyebrow was the fact that Dulcie was the one who got slutshamed for dating Jag even though Jag was going steady with Jennifer. No expectations at all of the guy in the relationship to not cheat on his girlfriend. At the end, the author even says something about how great it is that Jennifer took Jag back again, despite his roving eye. Um, that's b@!!$%*).
September 15, 2024
Beany Malone is back in this sixth entry in Lenora Mattingly Weber's fourteen-volume series devoted to her adolescent and young adult adventures with her family, and with her various beaus. Having now settled into an easy, somewhat carefree relationship with Andy Kern, Beany is startled when she hears from her old boyfriend Norbert Rhodes—her first love—and finds herself in all kinds of complicated situations when she agrees to keep his return to Denver a secret. She also finds herself in all kinds of hot water when she takes newcomer Dulcie Lungaarde, a carhop at the Ragged Robin who is a "more-thanner"—a young woman who does more than hold hands with boys—under her wing. Of course, this being a Beany Malone book, all of the hurt feelings, uncertainties and controversy are happily resolved by the end...
Although I certainly enjoyed reading Make a Wish for Me, and plan to continue on and finish the Beany Malone series, somehow this wasn't quite the equal of earlier books, in my estimation. Weber is as skilled as ever at depicting her young heroine's emotional ups and downs, and I particularly liked the way she captured Beany's conflicted feelings about Dulcie—sometimes angry at her protege and sometimes protective of her—as this felt quite realistic. I thought the exploration of the issue of young adults and their experimentation with physical affection—what was and wasn't permitted, the lines the young people themselves drew, in determining what was right—was very interesting, and opened a window into how this was viewed in the 1950s. It was amusing moreover, to see how Beany and her contemporaries compared themselves to the restrictive "old days" (the 1890s), as I suspect many current readers might do the same, when it comes to today and Beany's time. All this being said, I did find that there was a somewhat nasty undertone to this one, related to Dulcie—the way the boys and girls talk about her behind her back, for instance—that was unpleasant, even while being completely believable. The acceptance of the idea that it is the woman or girl who is morally responsible, if matters go too far, while no opprobrium is attached to the boy or man who was also involved, left a bad taste in my mouth. Again, this was realistic for the time period, but is distasteful all the same, and detracted from my enjoyment. Leaving that aside, this was still well worth reading, and is one I would recommend to those who have read and enjoyed the earlier books in the series.
Although I certainly enjoyed reading Make a Wish for Me, and plan to continue on and finish the Beany Malone series, somehow this wasn't quite the equal of earlier books, in my estimation. Weber is as skilled as ever at depicting her young heroine's emotional ups and downs, and I particularly liked the way she captured Beany's conflicted feelings about Dulcie—sometimes angry at her protege and sometimes protective of her—as this felt quite realistic. I thought the exploration of the issue of young adults and their experimentation with physical affection—what was and wasn't permitted, the lines the young people themselves drew, in determining what was right—was very interesting, and opened a window into how this was viewed in the 1950s. It was amusing moreover, to see how Beany and her contemporaries compared themselves to the restrictive "old days" (the 1890s), as I suspect many current readers might do the same, when it comes to today and Beany's time. All this being said, I did find that there was a somewhat nasty undertone to this one, related to Dulcie—the way the boys and girls talk about her behind her back, for instance—that was unpleasant, even while being completely believable. The acceptance of the idea that it is the woman or girl who is morally responsible, if matters go too far, while no opprobrium is attached to the boy or man who was also involved, left a bad taste in my mouth. Again, this was realistic for the time period, but is distasteful all the same, and detracted from my enjoyment. Leaving that aside, this was still well worth reading, and is one I would recommend to those who have read and enjoyed the earlier books in the series.
August 8, 2022
Beany finds herself in new ethical dilemmas in this book, and the content is somewhat more mature than in previous volumes, as she thinks through how people set physical boundaries in relationships and processes the double standard for guys and girls. Her relationship with Andy, whose witty banter is a constant delight, is very chaste and doesn't involve any physical pressures, but Mary Fred is dealing with pressure in her relationship, and the new girl at school has a reputation for being a "more-thanner," Harkness High's current slang for a promiscuous woman.
To add to the drama, Norbett reaches out to Beany with a mysterious letter and then returns to Denver, but wants her to keep his return a secret. The tension she feels between him and Andy is very realistic, and the plot includes some unexpected twists and turns, along with the one thing that I predicted from near the beginning. The conclusion is satisfactory, although I wish that the book's message held boys to a higher standard, instead of just relaxing judgment for girls. I wish the high school newspaper editor had dumped her cheating boyfriend!
To add to the drama, Norbett reaches out to Beany with a mysterious letter and then returns to Denver, but wants her to keep his return a secret. The tension she feels between him and Andy is very realistic, and the plot includes some unexpected twists and turns, along with the one thing that I predicted from near the beginning. The conclusion is satisfactory, although I wish that the book's message held boys to a higher standard, instead of just relaxing judgment for girls. I wish the high school newspaper editor had dumped her cheating boyfriend!
July 30, 2022
Beany's world expands as we get to know - or know better - neighbor Carlton, classmates Jennifer and Peggy, and newcomer Dulcie, all of whom continue to pop up later in the series. While I enjoyed this one, at times it seemed like LMW was pretty heavy-handed on her themes against uranium-mining greed and girls going too far on dates. Not that I disagree with her, it just got a little too preachy even for me.
November 29, 2022
Yet another time when Beany is much too loyal with keeping a secret. I would have 100% have told my best friend, boyfriend or family member that Norbett was back in secret and being a doofus. He is also not worth hurting Andy over.
Love the introduction to Dulcie, who is a very memorable character and remains with us.
Love the introduction to Dulcie, who is a very memorable character and remains with us.
August 17, 2024
I thought this was a really interesting book in the series. Lots of emphasis on the double standard regarding sexual activity, and finally some maturation from Beany. These books provide a window into what life was like in the 1950s, and I just find them fascinating.
September 2, 2018
It was dated and adorable.
May 2, 2019
Historians could use this book to study the change in sexual mores. Of course, in my opinion for the worse. :)
September 29, 2021
For the love of all that is holy, *please* let this be the end of the horrid Norbett.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2022
Personal copy
January 28, 2024
Andy is such a relief after the volatile Norbett Rhodes. Too bad Beany is not quite over her infatuation when Norbett re-enters the Malone world. Dulcie Lungaarde becomes part of the series.
January 19, 2025
Kindness prevails
The story has depth in a teenage story that you don’t see in modern books, with more adult thinking yet teenage like with teen problems.
The story has depth in a teenage story that you don’t see in modern books, with more adult thinking yet teenage like with teen problems.
June 30, 2013
In a conversation with book group this week, we began talking about books we'd read long ago, series we loved, books that changed our (very young) lives. And I remembered a series of books about Beany Malone. I could remember whole passages, and random snippets, of library books in the series, that I read as a 5th and 6th grader at Orchard View Elementary.
So I looked the books and author up (internets to the rescue), and downloaded one whose description was familiar. What fun to read it again.
So--the four stars isn't for the literary quality, dynamic plotting (although Weber keeps us guessing) or deeply moral principles. In fact, I found the tone judgmental, scolding and overdone, as a middle-aged woman in 2013. Things have changed, all right. I imagined Weber, a mother of six and grandmother, typing her values out to all the young teenagers she imagined benefiting from her sound counsel, reminding them that it's up to girls to draw the line--boys just can't help themselves and won't respect you the next day if girls LET THEM "go too far." Which seems to be allowing anything racier than a chaste peck on the lips.
But--I remember thinking Beany and the Malones were my kinda people, back in the 1960s, the right stuff, the kind of boys I hoped to meet and date. The details about schooling--classes, dances, teachers--were also quaint. Super fun to read.
So I looked the books and author up (internets to the rescue), and downloaded one whose description was familiar. What fun to read it again.
So--the four stars isn't for the literary quality, dynamic plotting (although Weber keeps us guessing) or deeply moral principles. In fact, I found the tone judgmental, scolding and overdone, as a middle-aged woman in 2013. Things have changed, all right. I imagined Weber, a mother of six and grandmother, typing her values out to all the young teenagers she imagined benefiting from her sound counsel, reminding them that it's up to girls to draw the line--boys just can't help themselves and won't respect you the next day if girls LET THEM "go too far." Which seems to be allowing anything racier than a chaste peck on the lips.
But--I remember thinking Beany and the Malones were my kinda people, back in the 1960s, the right stuff, the kind of boys I hoped to meet and date. The details about schooling--classes, dances, teachers--were also quaint. Super fun to read.
August 1, 2020
I really like this book because Beany finally matures enough (well not completely :p) to end her relationship with Norbett (which was an unhealthy relationship for her helpful nature). I really like Andy Kern as a character and is great friend for Beany. I like how he makes it fun to go out with a boy without having to commit at such an early age. I think Beany and the Malones would be shocked to see our “dating" culture now a days.
**Three years later**
Reading this book again was most enjoyable. I loved different tidbits that I didn’t pickup the first read around.
**Three years later**
Reading this book again was most enjoyable. I loved different tidbits that I didn’t pickup the first read around.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2014
This is another favorite book, that I reread frequently. I'm adding it at the same time as The Mysterious Mr. Ripley and giving it a top rating to see how the recommendation system here reacts. Will it take into account that I first read it when I was twelve?
November 23, 2025
I’m going through one of my regular re-readings of the Beany Malone series. I like that this one has some unexpected scenes between Beany and Carl. But, after falling so closely after the events of “Beany Has a Secret Life”, where is Sidney Peale? Did he drop off the face of the earth, along with the evil Andy doppelgänger from that book?
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews