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Betsy-Tacy

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Cover image for Betsy-Tacy

by Maud Hart Lovelace
New York : Crowell, c1940.

It's the late 1800s, and 5-year-old Betsy wants nothing more than a friend. When a new family moves in across the street, Betsy watches the new family from her window. They seem to have children of all ages, but none just her age. Finally, the horse and buggy pull away, and Betsy sees her. Tacy, the friend she's been hoping for. Betsy goes out to talk to her, but Tacy (short for Anastacia) is shy and runs away. Eventually Tacy warms up to Betsy and the two girls become known around the town of Deep Valley for being inseparable.  

The Betsy-Tacy girls do almost everything together.  They play together and make up fun imaginary games. They dress up in their best clothes and go "calling" on their neighbors. They also support each other through rough times, like when Tacy doesn't want to go to school because she's too shy, or Betsy doesn't like her new baby sister. 

This is a sweet story of friendship between two young girls. Each chapter is it's own short story, making it a great read aloud book or a good first chapter book for young readers. It's the first in the series, which follows Betsy and Tacy into their teen years.  Fans of the Anne of Green Gables series and anyone who's longed for a best friend will enjoy this series. 
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