Looking On

by Betty Miles

Fourteen-year-old Rosalie has difficulty facing the reality of her own life and finds herself increasingly caught up in the lives of the newly-married couple next door.

Genres: Young Adult

187 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Betty Miles wrote more than thirty books for children, including easy readers, picture books, non-fiction books and nine novels for pre-adolescent readers. Her book HEY! I’M READING! is the first book about reading, written for new readers and their families.

Miles was an editor of the innovative Bank Street Readers. She has taught kindergarten children, graduate students, and volunteered as a visiting author in fourth grade classrooms at PS 291. Bronx, NY. She spoke and read workshops on reading and writing with children, parents, librarians, and teachers around the country. Betty Miles was a graduate of Antioch College. She taught children’s literature at Bank Street College of Education. Miles died on July 19, 2018 at her home in Shelburne, Vt. She was 90. She is survived by three children, Sara, David, and Ellen Miles (herself a middle grade author), and three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Cleo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've started a summer tradition of re-reading old childhood favorites, and I remember this book being one that I loved. Reading it now, I'm not quite sure why I was so fascinated with it. It was published in the late 70s, and it's hilariously old-fashioned, e.g. "Maxine's going to help me make up a pants suit we saw in the Simplicity catalogue." I don't know if young readers today would be into this book, but it was a fun trip down memory lane for me.

[Stephanie Hooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had never heard of this book until I read it as an adult. Other people seem to have enjoyed it when they were younger, but as an adult I just couldn't get into it. I'm glad other people enjoyed it, though.

[C.K. Martin]

I loved this book as a young person and it would be great to get my hands on a copy again.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another vintage Betty Miles book.... I found this one really introspective and interesting. Rosalie is an 8th grade girl longing to grow up. New neighbors intrigue her and eventually make her realize how lucky she is. Great slice of life.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a teenager