Deservedly a classic, 16 Jun 2008
I first read this wonderful book at the age of 10 and have reread it many times since. This moving and humorous story, relating the progression of Judy from unloved orphan in a children's home to eager young college student discovering the wider world, is accessible to people of all ages. Judy's naivety, imaginativeness, and bravery are communicated eloquently through the series of letters she writes to her benefactor, "Daddy Long Legs". A wonderful evocation of life in early twentiesth century America.

The charm of this book never fades, 18 Apr 2008
Jerusha Abbot has lived all her life in the John Grier orphanage, and has seen nothing of the outside world. Then one day she is summoned to the matron's office, to be told to her astonishment that one of the trustees of the orphanage has decided to send her to college, because he thinks she has a talent for writing. He wishes to remain anonymous, but wants her to write to him once a month in order to develop her literary style. She has just glimpsed his shadow on the wall, a tall, thin man. so the amazed Jerusha is packed off to a prestigious girls' college.

The rest of the book is written in the form of Jerusha's letters to her anonymous benefactor. She decides to call him Daddy Long-Legs because the only thing she knows about him is that he is tall and thin. She decides to call herself 'Judy' as she has always hated the name Jerusha. Her letters vividly describe her life at college, her lessons, the fun she has with the other girls, her thoughts about everything. Each new experience is relished by her, and almost feel as if you are at college with her.

I have read this book frequently over the last forty years, and it seems just as fresh and funny to me now as it did the first time I read it, and as it must have done to the readers in 1912. Judy's charms are undiminished.



Rag-to-riches story of an orphan, 26 Feb 2007
Pity the adopted or fostered child nowadays. Whenever refered to in the media, they are either criminals or overcome by mental health problems. It was not the case a hundered years ago! Jean Webster had a privleged upbringing but through her charity visits to the poor becomes convinced less well-off children could succeed in life. Heady stuff in 1912 so to illlustrate her point she writes Daddy-Long-Legs about Judy,a young orphan sent to college by a kindly but anonymous benefactor she calls Daddy-Long-Legs. Her letters to him are funny, moving and a great testimony both to a child's and a foundling's mind. It never wallows in self pity. As a mother of two adopted children, I don't really relate to the central message on how you can change the child's environment and if the child is bright enough it will flourish. The mental scars are too deep. I find myself incredulous (does Judy, such a friendly soul, really miss no-one from the orphanage after seventeen years). Nevertheless, I happily suspend disbelief because I personally love Judy (and the author's) optimism. It comes from the days when radical thinkers were confident that money alone could change things. It is the perfect book for an adopted or fostered adolescent as positive role models in the media nowadays are hard to find.

Daddy Longlegs, 23 Sep 2006
It is sheer brilliance to be able to convey such depth of insight and feeing in such a simple - yet compelling - style. Although my own upbringing in a children's home in the 50 - 60's was later and more comfortable than it was at the John Grier Home, there were many poignant passages. For example,in her first days at college she does not experience homesickness as the other girls do - I can remember feeling exactly the same. Jean Webster is a wonderful writer.

good enough for adult readers, 26 Sep 2004
It's a good book in very Bronte style but of course it's not for children at all. First pages are funny easy-going parts of a diary of young girl who was sent to a college by a rich man who knows her only as a not bad young writer. Then it's a typical story of 19 th century "how to fall in love a rich man". I like humor of this book but i think it's getting too naiv in the end. I really recommend if u are looking for a good book for children Heaven to Betsy books. It conteins love, friendship, humor, college adventures and etc.

Deservedly a classic, 16 Jun 2008
I first read this wonderful book at the age of 10 and have reread it many times since. This moving and humorous story, relating the progression of Judy from unloved orphan in a children's home to eager young college student discovering the wider world, is accessible to people of all ages. Judy's naivety, imaginativeness, and bravery are communicated eloquently through the series of letters she writes to her benefactor, "Daddy Long Legs". A wonderful evocation of life in early twentiesth century America.

The charm of this book never fades, 18 Apr 2008
Jerusha Abbot has lived all her life in the John Grier orphanage, and has seen nothing of the outside world. Then one day she is summoned to the matron's office, to be told to her astonishment that one of the trustees of the orphanage has decided to send her to college, because he thinks she has a talent for writing. He wishes to remain anonymous, but wants her to write to him once a month in order to develop her literary style. She has just glimpsed his shadow on the wall, a tall, thin man. so the amazed Jerusha is packed off to a prestigious girls' college.

The rest of the book is written in the form of Jerusha's letters to her anonymous benefactor. She decides to call him Daddy Long-Legs because the only thing she knows about him is that he is tall and thin. She decides to call herself 'Judy' as she has always hated the name Jerusha. Her letters vividly describe her life at college, her lessons, the fun she has with the other girls, her thoughts about everything. Each new experience is relished by her, and almost feel as if you are at college with her.

I have read this book frequently over the last forty years, and it seems just as fresh and funny to me now as it did the first time I read it, and as it must have done to the readers in 1912. Judy's charms are undiminished.



Rag-to-riches story of an orphan, 26 Feb 2007
Pity the adopted or fostered child nowadays. Whenever refered to in the media, they are either criminals or overcome by mental health problems. It was not the case a hundered years ago! Jean Webster had a privleged upbringing but through her charity visits to the poor becomes convinced less well-off children could succeed in life. Heady stuff in 1912 so to illlustrate her point she writes Daddy-Long-Legs about Judy,a young orphan sent to college by a kindly but anonymous benefactor she calls Daddy-Long-Legs. Her letters to him are funny, moving and a great testimony both to a child's and a foundling's mind. It never wallows in self pity. As a mother of two adopted children, I don't really relate to the central message on how you can change the child's environment and if the child is bright enough it will flourish. The mental scars are too deep. I find myself incredulous (does Judy, such a friendly soul, really miss no-one from the orphanage after seventeen years). Nevertheless, I happily suspend disbelief because I personally love Judy (and the author's) optimism. It comes from the days when radical thinkers were confident that money alone could change things. It is the perfect book for an adopted or fostered adolescent as positive role models in the media nowadays are hard to find.

Daddy Longlegs, 23 Sep 2006
It is sheer brilliance to be able to convey such depth of insight and feeing in such a simple - yet compelling - style. Although my own upbringing in a children's home in the 50 - 60's was later and more comfortable than it was at the John Grier Home, there were many poignant passages. For example,in her first days at college she does not experience homesickness as the other girls do - I can remember feeling exactly the same. Jean Webster is a wonderful writer.

good enough for adult readers, 26 Sep 2004
It's a good book in very Bronte style but of course it's not for children at all. First pages are funny easy-going parts of a diary of young girl who was sent to a college by a rich man who knows her only as a not bad young writer. Then it's a typical story of 19 th century "how to fall in love a rich man". I like humor of this book but i think it's getting too naiv in the end. I really recommend if u are looking for a good book for children Heaven to Betsy books. It conteins love, friendship, humor, college adventures and etc.

Football with a twist, 23 Sep 2008
Clever, well timed, well researched, well written. You can't really ask for more from a book on football! This book will turn any boy's head to read, it includes American AND British football, now THAT'S clever. It includes boys and girls and romance and death and is NOT a kissing book. More Bloor!

It's too confusing,but it's not so bad., 01 Jun 2001
This book was okay but it was confusing in a way it really got me going though because I liked the big mystery about the truth of his brother erik.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOO MUCH! IT'S THE BEST!!!!, 27 Aug 1999
"Tangerine" by Edward Bloor is, I have to say, the best book I've ever read. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It's plot was so wonderfuly told, it's hard to believe this Orlando-based author is even human. I would recommend "Tangerine" to anyone who wants to read a book that will captivate them from beginning to end.

A decent book but highly overrated, 25 Aug 1999
A lot of cardboard characters and racial/social stereotypes, a choppy plot-driven narrative, and tedious prose make this book difficult to read. The main character seems to have all the right answers while everybody else, especially adults, are out to lunch. He complains about the Eric Fisher Football Dream, while chasing the Paul Fisher Soccer Dream. The author tries to do too much, especially at the end when it's time to resolve all the loose ends.

The best, 11 Jul 1999
This is the best book i have ever read! It keep's you interested so you can never put the book down!

Deservedly a classic, 16 Jun 2008
I first read this wonderful book at the age of 10 and have reread it many times since. This moving and humorous story, relating the progression of Judy from unloved orphan in a children's home to eager young college student discovering the wider world, is accessible to people of all ages. Judy's naivety, imaginativeness, and bravery are communicated eloquently through the series of letters she writes to her benefactor, "Daddy Long Legs". A wonderful evocation of life in early twentiesth century America.

The charm of this book never fades, 18 Apr 2008
Jerusha Abbot has lived all her life in the John Grier orphanage, and has seen nothing of the outside world. Then one day she is summoned to the matron's office, to be told to her astonishment that one of the trustees of the orphanage has decided to send her to college, because he thinks she has a talent for writing. He wishes to remain anonymous, but wants her to write to him once a month in order to develop her literary style. She has just glimpsed his shadow on the wall, a tall, thin man. so the amazed Jerusha is packed off to a prestigious girls' college.

The rest of the book is written in the form of Jerusha's letters to her anonymous benefactor. She decides to call him Daddy Long-Legs because the only thing she knows about him is that he is tall and thin. She decides to call herself 'Judy' as she has always hated the name Jerusha. Her letters vividly describe her life at college, her lessons, the fun she has with the other girls, her thoughts about everything. Each new experience is relished by her, and almost feel as if you are at college with her.

I have read this book frequently over the last forty years, and it seems just as fresh and funny to me now as it did the first time I read it, and as it must have done to the readers in 1912. Judy's charms are undiminished.



Rag-to-riches story of an orphan, 26 Feb 2007
Pity the adopted or fostered child nowadays. Whenever refered to in the media, they are either criminals or overcome by mental health problems. It was not the case a hundered years ago! Jean Webster had a privleged upbringing but through her charity visits to the poor becomes convinced less well-off children could succeed in life. Heady stuff in 1912 so to illlustrate her point she writes Daddy-Long-Legs about Judy,a young orphan sent to college by a kindly but anonymous benefactor she calls Daddy-Long-Legs. Her letters to him are funny, moving and a great testimony both to a child's and a foundling's mind. It never wallows in self pity. As a mother of two adopted children, I don't really relate to the central message on how you can change the child's environment and if the child is bright enough it will flourish. The mental scars are too deep. I find myself incredulous (does Judy, such a friendly soul, really miss no-one from the orphanage after seventeen years). Nevertheless, I happily suspend disbelief because I personally love Judy (and the author's) optimism. It comes from the days when radical thinkers were confident that money alone could change things. It is the perfect book for an adopted or fostered adolescent as positive role models in the media nowadays are hard to find.

Daddy Longlegs, 23 Sep 2006
It is sheer brilliance to be able to convey such depth of insight and feeing in such a simple - yet compelling - style. Although my own upbringing in a children's home in the 50 - 60's was later and more comfortable than it was at the John Grier Home, there were many poignant passages. For example,in her first days at college she does not experience homesickness as the other girls do - I can remember feeling exactly the same. Jean Webster is a wonderful writer.

good enough for adult readers, 26 Sep 2004
It's a good book in very Bronte style but of course it's not for children at all. First pages are funny easy-going parts of a diary of young girl who was sent to a college by a rich man who knows her only as a not bad young writer. Then it's a typical story of 19 th century "how to fall in love a rich man". I like humor of this book but i think it's getting too naiv in the end. I really recommend if u are looking for a good book for children Heaven to Betsy books. It conteins love, friendship, humor, college adventures and etc.

Football with a twist, 23 Sep 2008
Clever, well timed, well researched, well written. You can't really ask for more from a book on football! This book will turn any boy's head to read, it includes American AND British football, now THAT'S clever. It includes boys and girls and romance and death and is NOT a kissing book. More Bloor!

It's too confusing,but it's not so bad., 01 Jun 2001
This book was okay but it was confusing in a way it really got me going though because I liked the big mystery about the truth of his brother erik.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOO MUCH! IT'S THE BEST!!!!, 27 Aug 1999
"Tangerine" by Edward Bloor is, I have to say, the best book I've ever read. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It's plot was so wonderfuly told, it's hard to believe this Orlando-based author is even human. I would recommend "Tangerine" to anyone who wants to read a book that will captivate them from beginning to end.

A decent book but highly overrated, 25 Aug 1999
A lot of cardboard characters and racial/social stereotypes, a choppy plot-driven narrative, and tedious prose make this book difficult to read. The main character seems to have all the right answers while everybody else, especially adults, are out to lunch. He complains about the Eric Fisher Football Dream, while chasing the Paul Fisher Soccer Dream. The author tries to do too much, especially at the end when it's time to resolve all the loose ends.

The best, 11 Jul 1999
This is the best book i have ever read! It keep's you interested so you can never put the book down!

Buy 2 and give one away!, 09 Jul 1999
The first time I read this book was before it was published (some kind of advance copy) and I've read it at least ten times since then. It really is outstanding. There is no other character like Celine anywhere.

best book in the entire world, 20 Dec 1998
oh my god, this book was written so well you can't imagine it. there isn't any humoungous plot, it's just that everything that happens is so well described that it's like thousands of stories in one. READ IT!!!

Hilarious, poignant, memorable; my favorite!, 01 Sep 1998
Brock Cole demonstrates an unparalleled poetry of language and an unforgettable sense of humor. A book populated thickly with absolutely realistic characters, from Celine herself to Lucile to Paul Barker. At once sad and hilarious, it ends as it should, undecided. I find myself recalling lines and situations from it often, even if I haven't read it in forever. My favorite for three years running! Deserves every single award it gets!

Read it in grade school, now 19, still think it's great., 28 Jul 1998
I have no idea who suggested this to me, but now a sophomore in college, I still think of this book I read in grade school as one of the finest I've ever seen. Cole's style of writing does not condescend, and his plot and characters and as complex as in any adult fiction. I loved it so much that I followed it with "The Goats," and that was consistent with my expectations.

Teen Shows A Little Responsibilty!, 20 Jul 1996
Our heroine, Celine, is much funnier than Holden Caulfield.Every day, she is presented with absurdity and she just has to laugh. Which makes sense; too few people choose to laugh when that's really the only way to go. It is her sense of humor and her strength of purpose and character that carry her through the progressively stressful events of the novel and which carry us through the novel itself. The book is full of allusions to other works, including The Great Gatsby, Nausea, and (of course) The Catcher in the Rye. We should all be more like Celine.

Deservedly a classic, 16 Jun 2008
I first read this wonderful book at the age of 10 and have reread it many times since. This moving and humorous story, relating the progression of Judy from unloved orphan in a children's home to eager young college student discovering the wider world, is accessible to people of all ages. Judy's naivety, imaginativeness, and bravery are communicated eloquently through the series of letters she writes to her benefactor, "Daddy Long Legs". A wonderful evocation of life in early twentiesth century America.

The charm of this book never fades, 18 Apr 2008
Jerusha Abbot has lived all her life in the John Grier orphanage, and has seen nothing of the outside world. Then one day she is summoned to the matron's office, to be told to her astonishment that one of the trustees of the orphanage has decided to send her to college, because he thinks she has a talent for writing. He wishes to remain anonymous, but wants her to write to him once a month in order to develop her literary style. She has just glimpsed his shadow on the wall, a tall, thin man. so the amazed Jerusha is packed off to a prestigious girls' college.

The rest of the book is written in the form of Jerusha's letters to her anonymous benefactor. She decides to call him Daddy Long-Legs because the only thing she knows about him is that he is tall and thin. She decides to call herself 'Judy' as she has always hated the name Jerusha. Her letters vividly describe her life at college, her lessons, the fun she has with the other girls, her thoughts about everything. Each new experience is relished by her, and almost feel as if you are at college with her.

I have read this book frequently over the last forty years, and it seems just as fresh and funny to me now as it did the first time I read it, and as it must have done to the readers in 1912. Judy's charms are undiminished.



Rag-to-riches story of an orphan, 26 Feb 2007
Pity the adopted or fostered child nowadays. Whenever refered to in the media, they are either criminals or overcome by mental health problems. It was not the case a hundered years ago! Jean Webster had a privleged upbringing but through her charity visits to the poor becomes convinced less well-off children could succeed in life. Heady stuff in 1912 so to illlustrate her point she writes Daddy-Long-Legs about Judy,a young orphan sent to college by a kindly but anonymous benefactor she calls Daddy-Long-Legs. Her letters to him are funny, moving and a great testimony both to a child's and a foundling's mind. It never wallows in self pity. As a mother of two adopted children, I don't really relate to the central message on how you can change the child's environment and if the child is bright enough it will flourish. The mental scars are too deep. I find myself incredulous (does Judy, such a friendly soul, really miss no-one from the orphanage after seventeen years). Nevertheless, I happily suspend disbelief because I personally love Judy (and the author's) optimism. It comes from the days when radical thinkers were confident that money alone could change things. It is the perfect book for an adopted or fostered adolescent as positive role models in the media nowadays are hard to find.

Daddy Longlegs, 23 Sep 2006
It is sheer brilliance to be able to convey such depth of insight and feeing in such a simple - yet compelling - style. Although my own upbringing in a children's home in the 50 - 60's was later and more comfortable than it was at the John Grier Home, there were many poignant passages. For example,in her first days at college she does not experience homesickness as the other girls do - I can remember feeling exactly the same. Jean Webster is a wonderful writer.

good enough for adult readers, 26 Sep 2004
It's a good book in very Bronte style but of course it's not for children at all. First pages are funny easy-going parts of a diary of young girl who was sent to a college by a rich man who knows her only as a not bad young writer. Then it's a typical story of 19 th century "how to fall in love a rich man". I like humor of this book but i think it's getting too naiv in the end. I really recommend if u are looking for a good book for children Heaven to Betsy books. It conteins love, friendship, humor, college adventures and etc.

Football with a twist, 23 Sep 2008
Clever, well timed, well researched, well written. You can't really ask for more from a book on football! This book will turn any boy's head to read, it includes American AND British football, now THAT'S clever. It includes boys and girls and romance and death and is NOT a kissing book. More Bloor!

It's too confusing,but it's not so bad., 01 Jun 2001
This book was okay but it was confusing in a way it really got me going though because I liked the big mystery about the truth of his brother erik.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SOOOO MUCH! IT'S THE BEST!!!!, 27 Aug 1999
"Tangerine" by Edward Bloor is, I have to say, the best book I've ever read. From the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It's plot was so wonderfuly told, it's hard to believe this Orlando-based author is even human. I would recommend "Tangerine" to anyone who wants to read a book that will captivate them from beginning to end.

A decent book but highly overrated, 25 Aug 1999
A lot of cardboard characters and racial/social stereotypes, a choppy plot-driven narrative, and tedious prose make this book difficult to read. The main character seems to have all the right answers while everybody else, especially adults, are out to lunch. He complains about the Eric Fisher Football Dream, while chasing the Paul Fisher Soccer Dream. The author tries to do too much, especially at the end when it's time to resolve all the loose ends.

The best, 11 Jul 1999
This is the best book i have ever read! It keep's you interested so you can never put the book down!

Buy 2 and give one away!, 09 Jul 1999
The first time I read this book was before it was published (some kind of advance copy) and I've read it at least ten times since then. It really is outstanding. There is no other character like Celine anywhere.

best book in the entire world, 20 Dec 1998
oh my god, this book was written so well you can't imagine it. there isn't any humoungous plot, it's just that everything that happens is so well described that it's like thousands of stories in one. READ IT!!!

Hilarious, poignant, memorable; my favorite!, 01 Sep 1998
Brock Cole demonstrates an unparalleled poetry of language and an unforgettable sense of humor. A book populated thickly with absolutely realistic characters, from Celine herself to Lucile to Paul Barker. At once sad and hilarious, it ends as it should, undecided. I find myself recalling lines and situations from it often, even if I haven't read it in forever. My favorite for three years running! Deserves every single award it gets!

Read it in grade school, now 19, still think it's great., 28 Jul 1998
I have no idea who suggested this to me, but now a sophomore in college, I still think of this book I read in grade school as one of the finest I've ever seen. Cole's style of writing does not condescend, and his plot and characters and as complex as in any adult fiction. I loved it so much that I followed it with "The Goats," and that was consistent with my expectations.

Teen Shows A Little Responsibilty!, 20 Jul 1996
Our heroine, Celine, is much funnier than Holden Caulfield.Every day, she is presented with absurdity and she just has to laugh. Which makes sense; too few people choose to laugh when that's really the only way to go. It is her sense of humor and her strength of purpose and character that carry her through the progressively stressful events of the novel and which carry us through the novel itself. The book is full of allusions to other works, including The Great Gatsby, Nausea, and (of course) The Catcher in the Rye. We should all be more like Celine.

One of the best, 20 Jul 1999
Although it's not a classic, and I don't see why it's not, I love this book. It's probably not one of those books the school would recommend you read. But for any one who wants a good fun story, full of drama this book is it. I own the book, and I lend it out, very carefully of course, to anyone who loves to read, or doesn't, to show it off. I personally loved that this Mr. Crutcher wrote a great story from a 17 year old boy's point of view, with immaturity, he showed us probably exactly what a 17 year old boy would be thinking. I laughed at almost everything Moby said, his humour was unbelievable. The vocabulary was different, funny and clever. I know at times I sat down and talked to the book for what was going on, I yelled at Sarah's mother, I laughed at Moby for being a wuss, I cheered at parts too. I laugh at myself now, but I guess that's what this book does to you. So if you want to have a book that pisses you off and makes you feel good inside too, try this one, it's one of the best.

Once you start, you just can't stop., 12 Jul 1999
I've never read anything by Chris Crutcher before and I think this book is very interesting and very easy to read... not like some books that have too many adjectives in a sentence, it will make you bored. Usually it takes me more than a month to read a 200+ pages book but this book is so interesting that I read it within the week I bought it!! I recommand this book to 8th graders to 10th graders... Because it's my first summer reading for my high school.

Wonderfully written book about surviving through hard times, 24 Jun 1999
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is a touching story that made me both laugh and cry. Chris Crutcher sucessfully incorporates humor into his tale as he teaches his readers that we all have troubles in our lives. In Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, Crutcher shows his readers that it is possibles to overcome our struggles while also showing them the importance of forgiveness, friendships and love. Crutcher's main character, Eric, is a truly likable character whose witty comments had me laughing out loud many times. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I didn't like it.., 16 Jun 1999
I didn't like this book. It was too weird and spooky for me. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it! Still, my friend read it and enjoyed it, so maybe I'm paranoid. Give it a try and see what you think-if you don't like it after 4 chapters, then stop reading it!

THIS IS ONE FANTASTIC BOOK!!!!!, 26 May 1999
I am currently not finished with this book but already I know it is one of my favorites. In the simplest terms and most convenient definition, it is a great book and I totally recommend it! checyalater