Author: - Gary D. SchmidtTitle: - Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Illustrator: - n/a
Publisher: - Clarion Books
Year: - 2004
Format: - Hardcover
Genre: - Juvenile Fiction
Reading Level: - Independent
Interest Level: - Late Elementary, Middle School
Topics: - Newbery Honor Book, Malaga Island, the sea/ocean, whales, prejudice
Summary: - A new minister and his family moves to Phippsburg, Maine, where they are quickly caught up in the money-hungry plans of a few prominent townsmen. One such plan involves forcing the poor, mostly black community off the nearby Malaga Island in order to create a hotel complex for tourists. While the new minister is pressured into supporting the plans, the minister's son, Turner Buckminster, who has trouble connecting with the snooty boys of the town, becomes close friends with one of the island's inhabitants, Lizzie Bright Griffin. His association with the people of Malaga Island angers several prominent members of the Phippsburg community and embarrasses his father, but Turner is drawn to the sea, the island, and Lizzie's friendship. As problems grow and tensions rise, Turner and his father have to make difficult decisions that lead to life and death consequences.
Illustrator: - n/a
Publisher: - Clarion Books
Year: - 2004
Format: - Hardcover
Genre: - Juvenile Fiction
Reading Level: - Independent
Interest Level: - Late Elementary, Middle School
Topics: - Newbery Honor Book, Malaga Island, the sea/ocean, whales, prejudice
Summary: - A new minister and his family moves to Phippsburg, Maine, where they are quickly caught up in the money-hungry plans of a few prominent townsmen. One such plan involves forcing the poor, mostly black community off the nearby Malaga Island in order to create a hotel complex for tourists. While the new minister is pressured into supporting the plans, the minister's son, Turner Buckminster, who has trouble connecting with the snooty boys of the town, becomes close friends with one of the island's inhabitants, Lizzie Bright Griffin. His association with the people of Malaga Island angers several prominent members of the Phippsburg community and embarrasses his father, but Turner is drawn to the sea, the island, and Lizzie's friendship. As problems grow and tensions rise, Turner and his father have to make difficult decisions that lead to life and death consequences.
Extension Activities: - Students will research the real story of Malaga Island that this book is based on. They will compare and contrast the factual information with the information from the book. Students can discuss the reasons why the author may have decided to change, add, or remove specific pieces of information. How do these changes alter the way the story plays out? Do the author's modifications seem to positively contribute to the suspense and interest of the book?
--Students will discuss the negative consequences that resulted from the ignorant prejudice the Phippsburg community felt toward the people on Malaga Island. How could these disastrous situations been prevented? Then students will reflect on any potential prejudices that they may have and brainstorm ways to combat those feelings.
