Billie Standish Was Here

Billie Standish Was Here by Nancy Crocker

From Booklist
Proving that the heavily mined "child and elderly neighbor change each other's lives" premise isn't completely dry, Crocker's sturdy debut explores the deep and subtle reaches of a friendship that blooms between 11-year-old Billie and her across-the-road neighbor Miss Lydia. Set in a small town several generations ago, this is anchored by three pivotal acts—one driven by hate, one by love, and one a complex combination of the two.The story covers five years of Billie's struggles to get out from under the thumb of her spiteful, abusive mother, and Lydia's efforts to erase the guilt of two terrible secrets as, with agonizing slowness, her aging body fails. Crocker skillfully lays out the heart-deep regard that develops between these two perceptive, spirited females (Lydia is occasionally given to hilariously salty language) as life throws them severe challenges that they weather with each other's help. In Billie, the author creates a narrator whose credible mix of naïveté, resilience, and uncertain but budding sense of self-respect that will speak to young readers. This easily transcends its familiar themes and locale. Peters, John

8/10

I thought about this book all day today. I had to hurry home, grab some zero calorie powerade and hurry outside so I could sit and finish. Twenty minutes later it had me crying. Its like Marley and Me (which I still dont think I can watch) but replace the dog with a sweet old lady. The grandma you are not lucky enough to have. The one who can be your best friend and cook you meals when you parents neglect you and teach you more than your sucky teachers ever did. Well the same things happen to sweet old would-be grandmas as they do to dogs at the end of books. Sniff Sniff. (but really i havent spoiled anything...I mean anyone can guess thats whats going to happen after the second chapter)

But the book is good. I was totally sucked into 1968. And I was totally jealous of Billie (a girl named William because her parents wanted a boy) because of her relationship with Miss Lydia. Not really for anything else because that poor kid has it rough.

I suggest this one for Meghan for sure..I think she will like it. Amber should stay far far away. (she doesnt like to cry).