Liza

by Elisabeth Hubbard Lansing, Dorothy Bayley Morse

Original Liza of the Hundredfold Liza Mather didn’t like being a girl. She envied her older brother, Adam, who could take his rifle and tramp through the Kentucky mountains, exploring and hunting, while she had to stay home and cook and sew and scrub. Liza wanted to do everything that boys did-but she also wanted to please her father. And ever since her mother’s death, Dan Mather had hoped that his daughter would provide the needed warmth and comfort of a woman’s touch in the family. When a violent feud erupted among the neighbors and tragedy struck the Hunderedfold, Liza proved that she could think and act as quickly as any boy. And, to her surprise, she also showed a woman’s firmness and sympathy-saving the situation and winning the respect of all her family.

210 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Liza Maggio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Outdated. I read this only because a thoughtful friend gave the novel (Liza) to me (Liza). If the book had been written in 1860, perhaps it would have been progressive, but it was written in 1960. Girls in jeans should not have been a big deal in 1960. In the end, Liza can help with the construction of the school, wearing her own jeans, with the blessing of her father, but she still has to help cook for the other (male) workers and help mind the kids. Also, the events that transpire are more dramatic than the characters seem to appreciate: a near drowning, a dynamite blast that fells a rock, depriving one family of life-giving water and flooding out another family. Yes, all this allows the school, but yikes! People are cruel and (too ?) easily forgiven. No consequences.

[Angie Kaelberer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in grade school and loved it. Would be thrilled to find a copy again.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great adventure. Found this gem in my moms childhood books