Special Collections
Author Set: Betsy Byars
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Tornado
by Betsy Byars and Doron Ben-AmiA tornado appears in the distance, and Pete, the farmhand, gathers everyone into the storm cellar. While they wait for the storm to pass,he tells the family about the dog dropped down by a tornado when Pete was a boy. Named Tornado, Pete's pet was no ordinary dog -- he played card tricks, saved a turtle's life, and had a rivalry with the family cat. By the time Pete tells all of Tornado's lively stories, the storm has passed, and another family has been entertained by this very special dog.
The Cartoonist
by Betsy ByarsAlfie only feels comfortable when he&’s drawing comics in the attic—but soon his safe haven will be off limitsAlfie is perfectly content to spend his time drawing alone in the attic. Nobody bothers him, and he has his door sealed tight against interruption. Up under the roof, he illustrates amazing cartoon strips about heroes and space adventures, from &“Super Caterpillar&” to &“Super Bird&”—even though his own life is anything but exciting. One day, Alfie&’s mom calls him from the attic to tell him his older brother Bubba will be moving home and will take over the attic as his own apartment. Suddenly Alfie&’s private world is turned inside out, and he&’ll need to find a new &“home,&” even if that means spending time around his weird, argumentative family. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Betsy Byars including rare images from the author&’s personal collection.
The Computer Nut
by Betsy ByarsTen-year-old Kate begins a communication exchange on a computer with someone purporting to be from outer space, who says he is going to pay a visit to Earth soon.
Keeper of the Doves
by Betsy ByarsFor aspiring writer Amen McBee, life at the end of the nineteenth century with her four older sisters (Augusta, Abigail, and the "Bellas," twins Annabella and Arabella) is full of adventure. There are visits from Grandmama, who teaches them how to use the new Kodak cameras, and there are plenty of places to explore on the family estate, the Willows. There is also a new baby to look forward to-and everyone hopes Papa's prayers will finally be answered and this time Mama will have a boy. The only trouble in Amen's life is Mr. Tominski, the strange old man who lives in the woods and keeps a trained flock of doves. The Bellas warn Amen that the dove keeper is not to be trusted but Amen's father insists that Mr. Tominski wouldn't hurt a soul. Who is right?
The Midnight Fox
by Betsy ByarsTom dislikes spending the summer on his aunt's farm until he discovers a black fox in the forest and tracks her to her den.
The Moon and I
by Betsy ByarsWhile describing her humorous adventures with a blacksnake, Betsy Byars recounts childhood anecdotes and explains how she writes a book.
The Night Swimmers
by Betsy ByarsRetta, Johnny, and Roy have no parental rules to follow, so they&’ve made up their ownAfter their mother passes away, Retta, Johnny, and Roy don&’t have much parenting in their lives. Their dad is a country singer who keeps them well fed but isn&’t around much. Older sister Retta takes control, leading her brothers on all sorts of unwise adventures and promising that one day they&’ll have money, safety, and a nice home. When their dad is away performing at night, they slip into a neighbor&’s pool to swim and pretend to have a glamorous life beneath the light of the moon. But freedom doesn&’t mean happiness, especially when a new crisis emerges. National Book Award winner The Night Swimmers is a moving story of siblings who can count on nobody but one another. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Betsy Byars including rare images from the author&’s personal collection.
The Pinballs
by Betsy ByarsFrom Newbery-winning author Betsy Byars comes a story full of "poignancy, perception, and humor" (The Chicago Tribune), about three foster kids who learn what it takes to make a family. You can't always decide where life will take you—especially when you're a kid.Carlie knows she's got no say in what happens to her. Stuck in a foster home with two other kids, Harvey and Thomas J, she's just a pinball being bounced from bumper to bumper. As soon as you get settled, somebody puts another coin in the machine and off you go again.But against her will and her better judgment, Carlie and the boys become friends. And all three of them start to see that they can take control of their own lives.
The Summer of the Swans
by Betsy ByarsSara's fourteenth summer was turning out to be the most confusing time of her life. Up until this summer, things had flowed smoothly, like the gliding swans on the lake. Now she wants to fly away from everything--her beautiful older sister, her bossy Anut Willie, her remote father, and most of all,herself. But can she run away from Charlie? Sara loves her brother so much, and in a way she can't understand, though sometimes she can't stand his neediness. But when Charlie himself flies away, Sara knows what she must do.
Winner of the Newberry Medal.
Trouble River
by Betsy ByarsWhen he builds his raft, 12-year-old Dewey never dreams that it will serve as the sole means of escape for him and his grandmother when hostile Indians threaten their prairie cabin.