Bibliography: Baratz-Logsted, Lauren. (2010). The Education of Bet. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 978-0547223087
Plot Summary: In 19th century England, Bet and Will, childhood friends though she is a daughter of a maid and he the son of wealthy family, concoct a plan so both can get what they want. Bet, an education, and Will, a chance to become a soldier in the army. Pretending to be a boy can’t be that hard, can it? But Bet didn’t think about how to deal with her period, undressing in the same room as a boy, and falling in love.
Critical Analysis: I found this book to be very refreshing. First of all, it is less than 200 pages long. In a time when so many writers for teens have followed in J.K. Rowling and Stephenie Meyer’s wake penning books that seem to go on and on (and often for no apparent reason other than they can) I am glad that there are still writers out there to display the skill that is needed to create a whole world and a story in fewer pages with less words. Secondly, so glad to see a story like this that doesn’t feel like it needs magic or paranormal elements to make it complete. Instead Baratz-Logsted gives us a charming heroine living in a well described historical setting.
Bet is probably the best thing about this book. From the moment she is introduced, you can’t help but want her to succeed, to pull of her attempts to disguise herself as a boy, to get the education she wants. You root for her to find solutions to problems she didn’t anticipate and hold your breath when she comes close to being discovered. A close second is the setting, description, and events at the boys’ boarding school. It reminds me so strongly of other such schools in books and movies, from Dead Poet’s Society to Harry Potter. I think this is a rare work of historical fiction that might have wide appeal across ages, grades, and genders.
Readalikes: The book reminded me strongly of the first Song of the Lioness book, Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce where Alanna trades places with her brother Alan disguising herself as a boy so that she can train to become a knight.
Review Excerpts: “…Bet’s descriptive, intimate, first-person narrative incorporates historical details and diverse characters….Despite some improbable elements, historical-fiction fans will likely find Bet an appealingly lively heroine as she pursues her dreams and makes unexpected discoveries in learning, life, and love.”–Booklist
“Baratz-Logsted amusingly describes the lengths to which Bet goes to pass as a boy (cutting off her hair) and keep her secret (insisting on changing clothes in the dark). Readers will root for Bet to the very end, as she proves that from lemons can come the sweetest lemonade.”–Publisher’s Weekly
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