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Queenie Peavy
Queenie Peavy is a puzzle to everyone but herself. SHE knows why she fires stones at anything and everything -- isn't she the best shot in Georgia? SHE knows why she is defiant with her teachers and deliberately mean to her schoolmates -- aren't they all against her? And Queenie doesn't care -- not Queenie Peavy!
The fact is that Queenie has a chip on her shoulder too big for a lonely thirteen year old to carry. Times have "turned off hard" for everybody in the early 1930s, and they are especially hard for a girl whose idolized father has been in jail and whose mother works long hours.
But in spite of all that, Queenie can be happy, for Queenie has character.
~ from back cover of 1975 Dell paperback edition
The fact is that Queenie has a chip on her shoulder too big for a lonely thirteen year old to carry. Times have "turned off hard" for everybody in the early 1930s, and they are especially hard for a girl whose idolized father has been in jail and whose mother works long hours.
But in spite of all that, Queenie can be happy, for Queenie has character.
~ from back cover of 1975 Dell paperback edition
Paperback
First published April 20, 1966
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About the author
Robert Burch
52 books8 followersRobert Joseph Burch (June 25, 1925 – December 25, 2007) was an American writer of 19 children's books whose readers are "usually young adolescents". Many of his stories are based on his childhood experiences in rural Georgia during the Great Depression. He was born in Fayette County, Georgia, and spent the majority of his life there.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 27, 2025
Every once in a while I stumble upon a middle grades offering from the 1960s that gives me a good shove across the room with its originality and unpredictability.
This was definitely one of them.
Despite its publication date of 1966, Queenie Peavy is a story set in a small town in Georgia, during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
It's unlike any other juvenile historical fiction I've ever encountered, and I'd probably put it in the same category as Gene Inyart Namovicz's Jenny and Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Witches of Worm, which means to me: a completely unique story that has no category.
I love discovering little gems like these, ones that make your mouth hang open a little. You're not sure if you're starting to say, "Huh?" or "Ah!"
Queenie Peavy is poor as dirt and her dad's in jail. She's a conflicted 8th grader, one who's working through the terror of feeling completely inadequate to everyone else in town, and also feeling like she wants to hurt people, physically, for their superiority.
You don't know if you like Queenie, or hate her, which makes perfect sense. She doesn't know if she likes or hates herself, either.
(For anyone who has done any Somatic therapy, particularly any "parts" work, like IFS, I think you'd be fascinated to see an authentic, yet unnamed, expression of that process).
When Queenie's principal tells her that "a decent, happy life is no more than a stone's throw away now, and it's up to you whether or not you get any nearer than that," you don't honestly know, as the reader, if Queenie's going to make choices that facilitate ease or make her life harder.
But you do want to find out what she decides, in the end.
This was definitely one of them.
Despite its publication date of 1966, Queenie Peavy is a story set in a small town in Georgia, during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
It's unlike any other juvenile historical fiction I've ever encountered, and I'd probably put it in the same category as Gene Inyart Namovicz's Jenny and Zilpha Keatley Snyder's The Witches of Worm, which means to me: a completely unique story that has no category.
I love discovering little gems like these, ones that make your mouth hang open a little. You're not sure if you're starting to say, "Huh?" or "Ah!"
Queenie Peavy is poor as dirt and her dad's in jail. She's a conflicted 8th grader, one who's working through the terror of feeling completely inadequate to everyone else in town, and also feeling like she wants to hurt people, physically, for their superiority.
You don't know if you like Queenie, or hate her, which makes perfect sense. She doesn't know if she likes or hates herself, either.
(For anyone who has done any Somatic therapy, particularly any "parts" work, like IFS, I think you'd be fascinated to see an authentic, yet unnamed, expression of that process).
When Queenie's principal tells her that "a decent, happy life is no more than a stone's throw away now, and it's up to you whether or not you get any nearer than that," you don't honestly know, as the reader, if Queenie's going to make choices that facilitate ease or make her life harder.
But you do want to find out what she decides, in the end.
May 11, 2016
An unusual book that does a good job of letting the protagonist figure things out for herself. Slow at the start, but by the halfway point things are really happening, and it remains compelling to the end. It should be required reading for those who obsess over "microagressions" and "trigger warnings" because Queenie shows that you have the choice: either you let yourself be offended or you don't. Either way, you are in control. I fear that the general level of morality has declined quite a bit since this book was published. Some of the situations seem inconceivably resolved when viewed through today's eyes. Things would go a lot worse for Queenie nowadays.
November 14, 2018
Queenie Peavy is living during the Great Depression, during which time her father is also incarcerated. Unable to cope with the way people treat her based on her father's bad behavior, Queenie acts out quite a lot, especially at school. Only when she decides to stop worrying about what others think can she start to reform herself into the kind of person others enjoy spending time with.
Like this author's 1965 novel, D.J.'s Worst Enemy, this is a bit of a character-building story designed to show kids how to take responsibility for their own behavior and to begin acting properly because they want to and not just because someone else says they must. While D.J.'s Worst Enemy felt somewhat boring to me, however, Queenie is such a well-developed character that I was completely engaged the entire time I was reading. Burch does a good job of bringing out Queenie's personality both through her own thoughts and dialogue and through the reactions of other characters.
Enjoying Queenie so much made it very easy to swallow the moral of the story. Though I often dislike books with clear agendas, this one does a nice job of helping to provide character education for kids without preaching at them or sugarcoating childhood. In fact, I think this book provides a much-needed reality check for today's hyper-offended culture. Queenie learns that she can choose not to be offended by the words and deeds of others, and learning this frees her from feelings of constant anger and frustration. I hope my kids will be at least a little bit like Queenie in that respect.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
Like this author's 1965 novel, D.J.'s Worst Enemy, this is a bit of a character-building story designed to show kids how to take responsibility for their own behavior and to begin acting properly because they want to and not just because someone else says they must. While D.J.'s Worst Enemy felt somewhat boring to me, however, Queenie is such a well-developed character that I was completely engaged the entire time I was reading. Burch does a good job of bringing out Queenie's personality both through her own thoughts and dialogue and through the reactions of other characters.
Enjoying Queenie so much made it very easy to swallow the moral of the story. Though I often dislike books with clear agendas, this one does a nice job of helping to provide character education for kids without preaching at them or sugarcoating childhood. In fact, I think this book provides a much-needed reality check for today's hyper-offended culture. Queenie learns that she can choose not to be offended by the words and deeds of others, and learning this frees her from feelings of constant anger and frustration. I hope my kids will be at least a little bit like Queenie in that respect.
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
February 20, 2014
Touching story of an improverished girl trying to find her way through a very tough time. I read this, only once, over 30 years ago and it has always stuck with me and is actually a very favorite of mine.
September 19, 2011
This is a great book for early adolescents, as it addresses issues of honesty, integrity and responsibility. It's also a good book for the young ladies because Queenie Peavy is badass and can hold her own against anyone. She's smart, tough, unbiased and unafraid to examine her faults, assume responsibility for her mistakes and work to right her wrongs.
November 20, 2014
Queenie is a tough-talking 8th grader who would probably knock the tar out of me if I didn't admit to really enjoying her scrapes and scraps!
September 29, 2015
I read this more than 25 years ago, but the unique & gritty story has stayed with me. When my boys are a bit older I'll recommend it to them.
December 16, 2016
1930s Georgia. Thirteen year old tomboy Queenie Peavy is known around town for her major attitude and her affinity for chucking pebbles at things. She takes pride in having the best throwing arm (with the best aim) in town and can't understand why everyone is so hung up on her not being more ladylike. But Queenie isn't talking to anyone about what's really bothering her inside.
With her father in jail and her mother forced to work extra long hours at the canning plant to make ends meet, Queenie can't help but feel that lately the whole world seems against her! When she goes to school, she gets teased for such things as only having salted pork on biscuits for lunch every day. To counteract the teasing about her visible poverty, Queenie tries to take up chewing tobacco to show how tough she is, but no one is all that impressed by it.
Queenie's classmate Martha, nicknamed "Little Mother" for her insistence on always focusing on what is right and good, starts preaching to the other students about the importance of showing love and compassion for everyone. She points out that she wishes she could have 2 biscuits like Queenie every day, since Martha comes from a family of 8 siblings, so there's rarely enough food to go around for everyone in their house. A lesson Burch slips in there for his young readers --- compassion is important because no matter how bad off your life feels, someone out there ALWAYS has it worse.
Classmate Cravey Mason seems to be the worst of Queenie's bullies. But even around him and his antics, Queenie chides herself for not being better at taking things in stride, letting things blow over. Instead, she often allows herself to be ruled by her hot temper. One thing to remember, her teacher points out, is that when it comes to bullies, "it's their sadness more than yours that's fueling their behavior." When Queenie's temper escalates an incident between her and Cravey too far, Queenie does her best to cool down and rectify matters, offering him an apology for her actions. But the damage is done and Cravey has the itch for revenge. What began as simple schoolyard rivalry soon snowballs to the point of Queenie facing possible criminal charges! Queenie professes her innocence time and again but that pesky troublemaker rep of hers precedes her. Now she'll have to rely on brains instead of brawn to get her side of the story properly heard!
Not a half bad story here. It was first released back in the mid-1960s and the writing style does show some signs of staleness when compared to what's on the middle grade market now. The plot is not action packed, instead choosing to be driven more by Queenie's emotions and the choices she makes because of those emotions. Still, there are moments of school trip / school yard rough-housing that even kids today will likely still relate to. I think what DOES hold up here are the topics Burch addresses that will get readers thinking. Topics such as bullying, showing compassion for those less fortunate, hearing all sides of a story before you pass judgement, those sorts of conversations that definitely need to be started early on. I think young female readers especially will benefit from the story of Queenie, learning that a woman should come to know and embrace her inner strength and her specific skills and talents, but said woman should also be encouraged to learn how to use that strength and those skills to create environments of love and joy, not rage and pain. The overall feel of the story, from time period to plot points, reminded me a bit of Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Dovey Coe was written after this book of course, I only mention it to say if you read & liked Dovey Coe, you might likewise enjoy this story.
The text, at least on the Dell paperback edition I read from, is periodically enhanced by lively pencil illustrations done by Jerry Lazare.
With her father in jail and her mother forced to work extra long hours at the canning plant to make ends meet, Queenie can't help but feel that lately the whole world seems against her! When she goes to school, she gets teased for such things as only having salted pork on biscuits for lunch every day. To counteract the teasing about her visible poverty, Queenie tries to take up chewing tobacco to show how tough she is, but no one is all that impressed by it.
Queenie's classmate Martha, nicknamed "Little Mother" for her insistence on always focusing on what is right and good, starts preaching to the other students about the importance of showing love and compassion for everyone. She points out that she wishes she could have 2 biscuits like Queenie every day, since Martha comes from a family of 8 siblings, so there's rarely enough food to go around for everyone in their house. A lesson Burch slips in there for his young readers --- compassion is important because no matter how bad off your life feels, someone out there ALWAYS has it worse.
Classmate Cravey Mason seems to be the worst of Queenie's bullies. But even around him and his antics, Queenie chides herself for not being better at taking things in stride, letting things blow over. Instead, she often allows herself to be ruled by her hot temper. One thing to remember, her teacher points out, is that when it comes to bullies, "it's their sadness more than yours that's fueling their behavior." When Queenie's temper escalates an incident between her and Cravey too far, Queenie does her best to cool down and rectify matters, offering him an apology for her actions. But the damage is done and Cravey has the itch for revenge. What began as simple schoolyard rivalry soon snowballs to the point of Queenie facing possible criminal charges! Queenie professes her innocence time and again but that pesky troublemaker rep of hers precedes her. Now she'll have to rely on brains instead of brawn to get her side of the story properly heard!
Not a half bad story here. It was first released back in the mid-1960s and the writing style does show some signs of staleness when compared to what's on the middle grade market now. The plot is not action packed, instead choosing to be driven more by Queenie's emotions and the choices she makes because of those emotions. Still, there are moments of school trip / school yard rough-housing that even kids today will likely still relate to. I think what DOES hold up here are the topics Burch addresses that will get readers thinking. Topics such as bullying, showing compassion for those less fortunate, hearing all sides of a story before you pass judgement, those sorts of conversations that definitely need to be started early on. I think young female readers especially will benefit from the story of Queenie, learning that a woman should come to know and embrace her inner strength and her specific skills and talents, but said woman should also be encouraged to learn how to use that strength and those skills to create environments of love and joy, not rage and pain. The overall feel of the story, from time period to plot points, reminded me a bit of Dovey Coe by Frances O'Roark Dowell. Dovey Coe was written after this book of course, I only mention it to say if you read & liked Dovey Coe, you might likewise enjoy this story.
The text, at least on the Dell paperback edition I read from, is periodically enhanced by lively pencil illustrations done by Jerry Lazare.
September 15, 2024
Queenie's father is in jail, and the kids at school tease her about it. Queenie pretends not to care, but she always end up in trouble for fighting, throwing rocks, and skipping school. On a field trip in the woods, Queenie sets up a log to be a trap for the boy who teases her the most. He falls and breaks his leg, and Queenie is forced to pay the doctor's bill. Queenie starts to wonder if being bad is really all that good. It might be better for her to behave herself, but she has all this anger inside that needs a way to get out.
I did not like Queenie's character at all. She's selfish and angry and bitter. She has no self-control at the beginning, but by the end of the book she learns some self-control. She's also just gross. She chews tobacco and spits. She smokes cigarettes. She takes joy in throwing rocks at birds and squirrels and killing them. She is dirty and rude. By the end of the book, she learns to keep her temper a bit better, but she is still a nasty child.
The writing is boring. It goes on and on about the household chores and the chickens and milking the cow and churning the butter. If those things were written in some enchanting way, then it might be fun to hear about the chores, but it's just boring.
I did not like Queenie's character at all. She's selfish and angry and bitter. She has no self-control at the beginning, but by the end of the book she learns some self-control. She's also just gross. She chews tobacco and spits. She smokes cigarettes. She takes joy in throwing rocks at birds and squirrels and killing them. She is dirty and rude. By the end of the book, she learns to keep her temper a bit better, but she is still a nasty child.
The writing is boring. It goes on and on about the household chores and the chickens and milking the cow and churning the butter. If those things were written in some enchanting way, then it might be fun to hear about the chores, but it's just boring.
November 11, 2018
I remember starting to read this as a library book back in the 1970s and never getting to finish it, though the reason is lost to me, so when I had a chance to read it again I did. I have to say I was disappointed. The beginning is well done, showing Queenie's attitudes and the reasons that lie behind them. The shock of meeting her father again after (how long? We're never actually told) and realising he's not the idealised Daddy she has dreamed about all this time is also well done. If the author had been able to continue that good writing to show how Queenie's reality check leads her to a believable change, it would have been excellent. Instead, we are served up a half-chapter of unbelievable, preachy self-talk that supposedly transforms Queenie's attitudes and actions. In fact everyone gets absurdly happy endings, and troublemaker Mr Peavy is swept out of the way in a phrase or two. The last chapter also seemed incomplete, chopping off in mid conversation.
Two stars for a good beginning poorly followed up.
Two stars for a good beginning poorly followed up.
August 17, 2018
Poor misunderstood bad girl Queenie Peavy claims that she doesn't care about anything while growing up in Georgia during the depression. As most readers would expect, the only person who misunderstands Queenie Peavy is Queenie Peavy. This may have been an uncommon theme in 1966 when the book was written, but it is no longer uncommon in children's literature. However, it is still a good book, and most middle-grade readers will enjoy this.
August 5, 2021
This author is from middle GA which is where I grew up. In fact he mentioned several towns and landmarks that I knew as a child. This story was infuriating and heart warming. The message was relevant to so many children who experience bullying, a not so great home life and poverty. It was an easy read as it is written for middle school age. I needed a “Q” for my alphabet challenge and this fit the bill really well.
April 2, 2024
Queenie father is incarcerated and lives with her mother during the Depression. Queenie is a troubled teen who keeps causing trouble. Her excitement about her father returning is short-lived as he breaks parole and is put back in prison. Queenie decides to become a changed person and not live in the shadow of a prison. The book is dated and not particularly the most exciting read.
September 20, 2024
Queenie is tough as nails, at least on the outside, and her defiant ways get her into trouble. But she is smart, and finally gets smart enough to figure out that throwing rocks at folks isn't actually helpful. I wish there were more books about her--towards the end, when some says she might grow up to be a nurse, she says maybe she'll be a doctor. And I'd love to read that story.
November 6, 2025
As a child I loved reading (still do) and along with Ramona and Harriett, Queenie was one of my favorite misunderstood tomboys. Was excited to recently aquire a hardback copy with original illustrations and, now that I better understand the setting and time period, enjoyed it even more. An excellent story.
September 4, 2022
Queenie is a great character. She is a spitfire! I loved the problem solving she did with her inner dialogue. This book was written in 1966, very interesting to read something from that time period.
January 23, 2018
I red this a long time ago as a children's librarian and remember liking it. A good book for discussion and still relevant today.
April 6, 2018
Enjoyed this quick read. It was good to feel Queenie’s adolescent troubles & watch how she overcame them.
April 17, 2018
Trouble maker? Yes. Bully? Maybe. Why is she that way? Is she smart enough to change?
There are several old songs mentioned throughout that can be found on Youtube.
There are several old songs mentioned throughout that can be found on Youtube.
March 7, 2019
A decent, happy life is no more than a stone's throw away and it's up to you to get there!!
March 17, 2019
Love loved this story. I laughed and cried and enjoyed all the characters.
December 12, 2020
Not bad, but not fully developed as it lightly touches on the dynamics between adolescents and their families and teachers.
July 31, 2021
I really enjoyed this old-fashioned story. I felt like I’d gone back to fifth grade.
August 27, 2023
Last one for a while from my cousin for a while.
Interesting story, this one is more moralistic with some more serious topics(in comparison to his more children oriented books)
Interesting story, this one is more moralistic with some more serious topics(in comparison to his more children oriented books)
March 6, 2017
I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13103981
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13103981
February 19, 2017
The first real tomboy of my genre and the most memorable!
July 3, 2009
I read this in elementary school, and Queenie's poverty made a huge impression on me ... it stuck so hard, a couple of years ago I had to go find this at the library and read it again.
As an adult, what struck me was this story's moral of "self control." It isn't until Queenie (with the support of some helpful adults) learns to control her temper and not be at its mercy that she gains some measure of peace.
Queenie's hero-worship of and subsequent abandonment by her father is heart-rending ... does anyone write stories that complex for kids anymore?
As an adult, what struck me was this story's moral of "self control." It isn't until Queenie (with the support of some helpful adults) learns to control her temper and not be at its mercy that she gains some measure of peace.
Queenie's hero-worship of and subsequent abandonment by her father is heart-rending ... does anyone write stories that complex for kids anymore?
February 7, 2017
This was a daily enjoyable book. I thought it come off a little bit preachy, but maybe that is just my rebellious streak coming out. I did find myself cheering for poor Queenie. I would give this 3.5 stars.
September 2, 2008
Queenie Peavy is a 13 year old girl in Depression era Georgia. Her father is in prison and she struggles to hold on to self-respect while being taunted.
At first, I was suspicious that this was another just another one of the modern books for juveniles where bad behavior is celebrated. However, the book explores the consequences of anti-social acts and attitudes and very deftly teaches how it is destructive to the individual. Very refreshing and well written.
At first, I was suspicious that this was another just another one of the modern books for juveniles where bad behavior is celebrated. However, the book explores the consequences of anti-social acts and attitudes and very deftly teaches how it is destructive to the individual. Very refreshing and well written.
January 3, 2009
This is one of Robert's favorites from his childhood. Easy to see why. The following passage is spot on:
"None of us ever knows when we'll be caught up in situations we'd rather have avoided, but one thing's certain: when we are we don't want anybody to laugh at us. It's then that we'll wish we'd been more understanding of others."
"None of us ever knows when we'll be caught up in situations we'd rather have avoided, but one thing's certain: when we are we don't want anybody to laugh at us. It's then that we'll wish we'd been more understanding of others."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews