Full Citation
Fisher, Dorothy Canfield. Understood Betsy. New York: Dell, 1993. Print.
Summary
Nine-year-old Elizabeth Ann is an orphan who is sheltered and smothered by her Aunt Francis. When Elizabeth Ann's great-aunt Harriet, Aunt Francis's mother, becomes ill and Aunt Francis has to move to a warmer climate to take care of her, city girl Elizabeth Ann is sent to live in rural Vermont with her relatives the Putneys (her great-uncle Henry, great-aunt Abigail, and second cousin Ann.) Though helping a troubled schoolmate, learning multiplication tables, and other adventures, Elizabeth Ann, dubbed "Betsy" by those around her has to learn to take care of herself and learn her own lessons for the first time, which comes in handy when her Aunt Francis comes to "rescue" her precious niece.
My Impressions
I almost can't believe I have never heard of this book until a week ago; it's exactly the kind of book I would have enjoyed when I was Betsy's age. Though Fisher's narration tends to become patronizing at times, the story always remains enjoyable. I was so enthralled that I celebrated right along with Betsy whenever she made a new discovery about what she was capable of. As someone who was discouraged as as young girl reader by a perceived lack of books with "girl heroes", it's great to see a strong protagonist such as Betsy. I think both girls and boys will see parts of themselves in Betsy and enjoy the story (you can tell them it's okay to skip the moralizing.)
What Other Critics Said
Anyone who fondly remembers how the fresh air of the moors puts a blush in the cheeks of sallow young Mary in The Secret Garden will love Dorothy Canfield Fisher's Understood Betsy just as much. First published in 1916, this engaging classic tells the tale of a thin, pale 9-year-old orphan named Elizabeth Ann who is whisked away from her city home and relocated to a Vermont farm where her cousins, the "dreaded Putneys," live. The Putneys are not as bad as her doting, high-strung Aunt Frances warns, however, and Elizabeth, who had been nurtured by her aunt like an overwatered sapling--positively blooms under their breezy, earthy care. Elizabeth Ann's first victories are small ones--taking the reins from Uncle Harry, doing her own hair, making her own breakfast--but children will revel in the awakening independence and growing self-confidence of a girl who learns to think for herself... and even laugh. Along the way, "citified" readers of all ages will get a glimpse into the lives of people who are truly connected to the world around them--making butter ("We always bought ours," says Elizabeth Ann), experiencing the "rapt wonder that people in the past were really people," and understanding the difference between failing in school and failing at life. Fisher is a wise, personable storyteller, steeped in the Montessori principles of learning for its own sake, the value of process, and the importance of "indirect support" in child rearing. She also captures the tempestuous emotional life of a child as few authors can, crafting a story that children will find deeply satisfying. And in the end, readers will have grown as fond of the happier, stronger "Betsy" as the gentle, unassuming Putneys have... (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson (1)
"Understood Betsy is as satisfying in its evocation of an earlier, simpler way of life as Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, and psychologically more acute. Fisher is a master of presenting, in a low-key, humorous way, a 'New Englandy' way of doing and saying things . . . Understood Betsy is sure to delight a new generation of very busy, over-scheduled children whose own chances for early independence and initiative are limited. It may even teach their parents a thing or two about the best way to raise a child." --New York Times Book Review (2)
Anyone who fondly remembers how the fresh air of the moors puts a blush in the cheeks of sallow young Mary in The Secret Garden will love Dorothy Canfield Fisher's Understood Betsy just as much. First published in 1916, this engaging classic tells the tale of a thin, pale 9-year-old orphan named Elizabeth Ann who is whisked away from her city home and relocated to a Vermont farm where her cousins, the "dreaded Putneys," live. The Putneys are not as bad as her doting, high-strung Aunt Frances warns, however, and Elizabeth, who had been nurtured by her aunt like an overwatered sapling--positively blooms under their breezy, earthy care. Elizabeth Ann's first victories are small ones--taking the reins from Uncle Harry, doing her own hair, making her own breakfast--but children will revel in the awakening independence and growing self-confidence of a girl who learns to think for herself... and even laugh. Along the way, "citified" readers of all ages will get a glimpse into the lives of people who are truly connected to the world around them--making butter ("We always bought ours," says Elizabeth Ann), experiencing the "rapt wonder that people in the past were really people," and understanding the difference between failing in school and failing at life. Fisher is a wise, personable storyteller, steeped in the Montessori principles of learning for its own sake, the value of process, and the importance of "indirect support" in child rearing. She also captures the tempestuous emotional life of a child as few authors can, crafting a story that children will find deeply satisfying. And in the end, readers will have grown as fond of the happier, stronger "Betsy" as the gentle, unassuming Putneys have... (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson (1)
"Understood Betsy is as satisfying in its evocation of an earlier, simpler way of life as Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, and psychologically more acute. Fisher is a master of presenting, in a low-key, humorous way, a 'New Englandy' way of doing and saying things . . . Understood Betsy is sure to delight a new generation of very busy, over-scheduled children whose own chances for early independence and initiative are limited. It may even teach their parents a thing or two about the best way to raise a child." --New York Times Book Review (2)
Suggested Activities
This story provides many opportunities for readers to put themselves in Betsy's shoes and think critically about what they would have done. The children can take a situation from the story, such as when Betsy's friend Molly has fallen in a pit or when Betsy and Molly are left stranded at the county fair and create a short skit or narrative about how they would have handled the situation. The life of Understood Betsy's author, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, is also very fascinating to study. Students, teachers, and librarians may especially be interested in learning more about the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award, which since 1957 has been given to a book selected by Vermont students. Past winners include classics such The Incredible Journey and Bunnicula and more recent favorites such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Other Citations
(1) Snelson, Karin. "Amazon.com: Understood Betsy (9788132026303): Dorothy Canfield: Books." Rev. of Understood Betsy. Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More. Web. 06 Sept. 2010. <http://tinyurl.com/2aaxe55>.
(2) "Amazon.com: Understood Betsy (9788132026303): Dorothy Canfield: Books." Rev. of Understood Betsy. New York Times Book Review. Amazon.com: Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & More. Web. 06 Sept. 2010. <http://tinyurl.com/2aaxe55>.
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