Wonderful books for teen-age girls: Part 1

I’m going to start something new and fun. Every week, I'll introduce a different book series every week that is wonderful for girls of all ages, and especially for older girls.

Today I introduce the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace.

I haven’t read all of them, but the ones I have are excellent. They’re relevant and easy to relate to. Reading about Betsy’s adventures in high school, I kept thinking “This is just the kind of stuff I used to do in high school!”

There’s a strong moral message behind these books. Although Betsy and her crowd of friends lead happy lives, they are aware of their blessings and work hard to grow close to their families and to become kind, virtuous adults. They’re wonderful role models for girls, yet they never come across as “preachy” since they have so much fun.

The books are also a good way to learn history, since they thoroughly describe what everyday life was like in the early 1900s. The reading levels of the books become progressively more complex as the characters grow up.

If you haven’t met Betsy, Tacy, and Tib yet, find them quickly at your nearest library. I promise you will get along beautifully.

Here is the complete list of books in the series:

Betsy-Tacy
Betsy-Tacy and Tib
Betsy and Tacy Go over the Big Hill
Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown
Heaven to Betsy
Betsy in Spite of Herself
Betsy was a Junior
Betsy and Joe
Betsy and the Great World
Betsy's Wedding