Betsy's Wedding (novel) facts for kids
Betsy's Wedding is the tenth and final book in the Betsy-Tacy series. It was written by Maud Hart Lovelace and published in 1955. The story takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It follows the main character, Betsy Ray, as she begins her married life. Her husband is Joe Willard, her high-school sweetheart. Betsy's best friends, Tacy Kelly and Tib Muller, are also important characters in this book.
Contents
About Betsy's Wedding
Betsy and Joe's Journey
Betsy returns to New York City after a trip to Europe. Joe Willard is waiting for her. He wants to buy her an engagement ring. But Betsy is practical and suggests they buy a wedding band instead. They spend a happy day in New York City, enjoying their time together.
Betsy then takes a train home to Minneapolis. Her parents and younger sister are now living there. She tells her family that she and Joe are engaged. Her family is surprised. They are worried because Joe doesn't have a job in Minnesota yet. Betsy's father is especially upset.
When Joe arrives, Betsy tells him about her father's concerns. Joe immediately starts looking for a job. He visits many newspaper offices. He quickly finds a job working on a special project. This project helps the people of Belgium, who faced difficult times during World War I. Betsy's father is impressed by Joe's determination. He agrees to the wedding.
Starting Married Life
Joe and Betsy live with her parents at first. They search for their own apartment. With help from Betsy's younger sister, Margaret, they find a perfect home for newlyweds. Betsy learns to cook, which is new for her. She eventually becomes a good cook and even enjoys making Joe's favorite meals!
After several happy months, Joe's aunt asks to live with them. She is a widow. Joe agrees, but Betsy feels a bit upset. She had hoped to start a family, not have an aunt move in. This is the first big disagreement between Betsy and Joe. Betsy tries to agree with Joe. She feels bitter at first. Then she realizes that Joe's kindness and generosity are qualities she loves about him. In the end, she enjoys his aunt's company. She especially likes her wonderful stories. This is helpful when Joe starts working the night shift at the newspaper.
Friendships and Challenges
Betsy and Tacy try to find a husband for their friend Tib. They introduce her to Mr. Bagshaw, a colleague of Tacy's husband, Harry. Mr. Bagshaw quickly falls in love with Tib and proposes. But Tib turns him down. Betsy and Tacy are actually relieved. They realized that if Tib married him, she would move to New York City.
Betsy then introduces Tib to Rocky. He is a writer they meet at "The Violent Study Club." This is a group of friends who help each other with their writing. But Rocky is not kind to Tib. He even makes fun of her in front of their friends! Finally, Tib ends the relationship with Rocky, and he leaves.
Eventually, Tib meets a kind and handsome soldier while ice skating. They fall in love.
As the book ends, America enters World War I. Joe joins an officer's training camp nearby. They rent out their house. Betsy moves back in with her parents for the war. Before Joe leaves, they all attend Tib's wedding in Deep Valley. Family members and old friends are there to celebrate!
