READY OR NOT

by Norma Johnston ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 26, 1965

In the tension-and-rumor-filled months of early 1861, Carlie Benson's father, a New Jersey newspaper editor, takes his wife on a trip to Washington for some first-hand reporting and on to North Carolina to visit relatives. While they are gone, the war breaks out, leaving the parents on one side of the border and their children on the other. The young Bensons face the adult problems of running the house and newspaper and fighting the town's contempt for their parents' assumed defection. Carlie, the middle sister at 15, has been waging her own battle against growing up, and suddenly finds herself without a choice. The author's theme is mature responsibility and she presents it with a fine sense of the kind of struggle it is to attain. Laura, the eldest, abandons her flightiness and shows the strength under her prettiness; Ben bridles his outspokenness to take competent charge of the newspaper; and Carlie stops having childish tantrums to find herself and her love. A delightful story, told with wisdom and skill, and if the ending is a bit too good to be true, the people are indeed believable.

Pub Date: April 26, 1965

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Funk & Wagnalls

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1965

Categories: FICTION