Book cover: “The Not-Just-Anybody Family” by Betsy Byars (The Bodley Head, 1986); audiobook read by Blain Fairman (Books on Tape, 2008)

A cleverly executed MG novel. Things mostly go wrong for the protagonists—a seven-year-old boy, his 11-year-old brother and sister, their grandpa and his dog—but their travails are told with humour and they come away with a deeper appreciation of family. #BetsyByars #TheNotJustAnybodyFamily

On this day in 1928 Betsy Byars was born.

#OnThisDay #Anniversary #Books #Classics #BetsyByars #Booksky

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. 💙📚

Day 8 - Tween.
The Pinballs by Betsy Byars.

#BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #ThePinballs #BetsyByars

Book cover: “The Cartoonist” by Betsy Byars (The Bodley Head, 1978)

A downbeat exploration of emotional neglect and escapism. Byars is deft as a cartoonist herself in capturing Alfie’s circumstances: his drifting isolation from family and peers; his retreat into drawing and his nihilistic attic ascent. Affecting, if not exactly a fun read. #BetsyByars #TheCartoonist