Becky Chalmers Beautified

On the cusp of her eleventh birthday, young Becky Chalmers is straddling childhood and growing up as she navigates the world of the 1960s in her idyllic hometown of Yardley, Pennsylvania. Whether it's making new friends, her first kiss, or learning what true beauty entails, this spirited girl is an "everygirl," finding an inner faith and self-confidence that young readers will relate to.

In Becky Chalmers Beautified, young readers follow Becky through her carefree days as she learns about herself and the world she lives in. Whether it's the bond with her best friend Sharon being put to the test when she moves away, finding comfort in community during a Christmas Eve bonfire outing following President Kennedy's assassination, or making a wise friend in an unlikely stranger named Mr. O-Angel outside her library, Becky's experiences have lasting meaning.

When Becky's eleventh birthday nears, she tells her mother she doesn't want a doll or toy. She wants something that will make her beautiful. Becky and her friends' efforts include staining their lips with red M&Ms, dousing in perfume, and painting their nails. When a chance encounter during a snowy walking trip to the grocery store has Becky helping a cold and frightened little girl, Becky learns that beauty comes from within-from her kind and gentle heart.

Reminiscent of beloved characters such as Ramona Quimby and Scout Finch of a bygone children's book era, Becky Chalmers Beautified exudes the emotional appeal of a childhood of the '60s with the modern strength and vigor of girl storybook characters today. The book provides middle-grade readers with an eloquent story that will stand the test of time, a true classic in the making.