Back to School with Betsy: A Third Grade Chapter Book Full of Surprises for Kids (Ages 6-9)

by Carolyn Haywood

Carolyn Haywood's stories about her irrepressible character Betsy have never been out of print, and now, thanks to dynamic new covers, the Betsy books will find their way onto the bookshelves of modern young readers--and into the hearts of a whole new generation.

Third grade begins with disappointment--Betsy's beloved teacher, Miss Grey, won't be teachng anymore. But the new year is packed with fun and surprises, including one great piece of news that Betsy declares is about "the wonderfullest thing that ever happened."

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Chapter Books, Realistic Fiction, Classics, Juvenile, Young Adult

148 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Carolyn Haywood was an American writer and illustrator from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She wrote 47 children's books, most notably the series under the "Eddie" and "Betsy" titles.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS This second book in the Betsy series was mostly decent, though I found it somewhat lacking the charm and depth of the first book. However, the chapter "Exactly What Betsy Wanted" ... well I really needed to view this with a child's innocent eyes as I could see a child truly feeling and acting this way and I don't actually think any harm was meant by it BUT... In this chapter, Betsy tells her mother she wants another baby next year (she has a one year old sister). "I know what kind I want. Could we get one ready-made? I forget what you call babies that are ready made?" "You mean 'adopt' a baby," said mother. Yes, this is what Betsy means. "I want a lot of babies. And I like all different colors." Later, Betsy is out walking by her house and met "a little black girl" who was crying. She tries a few houses but no luck finding the parents. "Don't worry, my mother and father will 'dopt you. It's nice at our house and I'll play with you." Betsy cries when mother wants to phone the police to find the child's parents. "But, I want to keep her. She's exactly what I want." Betsy says. Well, turns out the little girl is the child of the new housekeeper at the neighbor's house and there's a happy reunion. In later books, Betsy and her little sister play with the little girl (Lillybell) so I at least appreciate very much that Betsy's (white) family doesn't prohibit her from being friends with an African-American girl so I think it was actually fairly progressive for the time (first published in 1943). Just the "she's exactly what I wanted and I want to keep her" made me so uncomfortable as did the very casual talk of what adoption means.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was definitely old fashioned style. I'm not sure how the newer versions may be in descriptions, but from the looks of it, the teacher is described differently on the cover than the other editions listed here. The illustrations along with it gives it the old school look, as little girls dressed more like young ladies and the boys as they would have back then.
The version I have is from the early 40s, so the language may also be different as well. For example, the officer in one chapter is described as gay and jolly. If that were described today as such, could be taken with a different meaning.
At one point, a child was being a little rebellious and the officer says he needs to have the seat of his pants warmed, something most youngins probably don't know the meaning of these days.
Another chapter speaks of the little girl wanting a colored baby already made. She wanted to adopt one, but the mother said they only can be adopted by colored fathers and mothers. Some people these days can easily take offense to some things. The newer versions may have omitted or changed the story up a little, I don't know, but it was interesting to see the older illustrations along with the story.

[Emily]

Read this to Jemima (age 5) which was just so fun. Love these books so much

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the Betsy series as a kid and remember checking them out of my school library over and over again. I just found this through my local library to read with my 8 year old daughter. They are still just as fun as I remember and I enjoyed hanging out with Betsy snd the gang again.

[Janssen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is such a fun cute series.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite as bad as Betsy and Billy but the same awkwardnesses etc. For example, as Kathryn says, the Lillybell chapter is something that would be difficult to share with kids nowadays.

And again Betsy gets her dreams to come true. The new neighbor, Mr. Jackson, not only is going to fix up the hours and garden swiftly, but he's marrying Miss Grey, and so it's ok that she's not going to teach anymore, because she's going to be right over the wall from Betsy.

Well, but is it ok with Miss Grey? Honestly, if that woman had enough energy and love for all those little schoolchildren, I would think she'd want to work at least until she started to 'show'... what if she doesn't get pregnant right away? And why does she need a live-in housekeeper?

Hm. I don't recommend this one, either. I'm going to keep reading, but I'm glad that I didn't automatically share these with children after my pleasure with Busy Summer.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for these books everywhere and I am so glad to have finally found them! While my friends in elementary school were always checking out the more "popular" books in the library, I found myself coming back to this series again and again. I'm pretty sure I read every book in the series at least twice! I'm a little perturbed to discover that they've been re-released with a more modern cover, because I actually prefer the vintage look. Brings back so many memories and should I stumble across these somewhere, I may just have to read them again!

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these in the seventies not understanding they were written in the forties.

When Betsy tells her mother she knows what kind of baby she wants next-
and you think she might say "a boy"
but she says she wants a black baby it is so funny yet so sweet.

[Jane Irish Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread of a childhood favorite. Still amusing, and rather timeless.

[Peg Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going back to my first reading days. Great chapter book for 2nd and 3rd graders.

[Anne G · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was little, this was my favorite book ever. I found it in the library at Christ the King school in first grade and as I got older I would secretly hide it in my book pile at the library to only read it one more time. The best part of this book is that it was written so long ago but yet displays interracial adoption. When I look back at it and think of what year it was when this book was actually written, its amazing to see that someone encompassed this so early on in a decade where something of the sort wouldn't have been acceptable? If I found this book on the shelf in the library today I just might have had to sneak it into my adult pile for one more read ;-)

[Jacqui Robbins]

In which I learn not to reread some childhood favorites.

I remembered liking this book. I had a fond feeling in my heart when I flipped through the illustrations. After rereading, I'm not sure what I liked. Maybe it's just dated (I did laugh out loud when little Betsy begged her mother to adopt her "a little colored baby"), or maybe kids' books now are so much more complex and realistic. Either way, I was disappointed that Betsy and her friends didn't buy their teacher a monkey as a wedding present, and disappointed in the book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened to see a Betsy book on a bookshelf on someone's blog and I knew that Betsy and I had to have it. Turns out it's a whole series from the 1940s. Betsy's grandma bought her 3 of them for her birthday. This is the first one we read.

I am delighted to report that Betsy and I are huge fans of Betsy. Each chapter is a beautiful little story with fun little twists and morals. My Betsy is captivated by the adventures of these children from more than seventy years ago.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book series and those kids who enjoy Beverly Cleary books will enjoy these as well. They were however published in 1943 so traditional gender roles are presented and there are a few problem ways in which people are described. In this particular book, it is that Betsy wants her next sibling to be a 'little black baby.'

[Luke Ewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it a lot. Betsy's neighbor married Ms. Grey and Betsy was so happy. She also got to go on a sleigh ride with Santa's twin brother. I was wondering who the new teacher would be and it was Mrs. Ross.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books! They have nice little stories and fifties pictures to go along with them. Great read-alouds for the kids.

[Laura Quilter]

Back to school with Betsy by Carolyn Haywood (1943)

[Amyem]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5...

[Casertalaura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Timeless story about growing up!

[Abhimanyu · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, short and sweet.

[Hillvan]

570L

[Nikki Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books! I was a bit confused by the title of this one. It didn't have a lot of Fall related stories like I thought it would. It was her whole school year.

[Ncuav-ist]

-

[Rebecca Raeske-Grinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this one up a week before third grade starts. Next year, Betsy and the Boys.

[Aaron]

This was going fine, but then the child started asking for other books. Maybe we'll come back to this.

[Ariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sweet insomnia re-read.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 1st grader is really enjoying this series, more than I expected him to! They have been fun for me to revisit too!

[Mercy Davenport · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read aloud series

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betsy's 3rd grade year is filled with familiar school and neighborhood adventures.

[Kathy Lynch]

Another blast from the past that I loved to read when I was younger.