• Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

  • By: Gary D. Schmidt
  • Narrated by: Sam Freed
  • Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (122 ratings)

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Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy  By  cover art

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

By: Gary D. Schmidt
Narrated by: Sam Freed
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Publisher's summary

Not only is Turner Buckminster the son of the new minister in a small Maine town, he is shunned for playing baseball differently than the local boys. Then he befriends smart and lively Lizzie Bright Griffin, a girl from Malaga Island, a poor community founded by former slaves. Lizzie shows Turner a new world along the Maine coast from digging clams to rowing a boat next to a whale. When the powerful town elders, including Turner’s father, decide to drive the people off the island to set up a tourist business, Turner stands alone against them. He and Lizzie try to save her community, but there’s a terrible price to pay for going against the tide.

©2004 Gary D. Schmidt (P)2005 Random House, Inc. Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

“Schmidt’s writing is infused with feeling and rich in imagery. With fully developed, memorable characters. . . . This novel will leave a powerful impression on readers.”—School Library Journal, Starred

“A powerful tale of friendship and coming-of-age, adding a lyrical sense of the coastal landscape.”—Booklist, Starred

What listeners say about Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Boring

Ok this book was mandatory for my school and I couldn't read it, it was so incredibly boring I had to buy the audio book. I hated this book

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

No holds barred

I read this story to my then 8 year old grandson. It is a very touching and sad story but also shows that people can change and do the right thing. It may have been a bit sad for an 8 year old so would probably recommend it for older listeners/readers. It got the point across without being preachy or overly politically correct. Very well done.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sad state of affairs for Maine

It's good that this story line has been told and shares the shameful decision made by the state of Maine.
We have to know our past in order to change and not repeat it in the future.
Thank goodness the Governor apologized 100 years later.
Never too late to right a wrong.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Engaging and wonderful characters.

Loved it, every word...well written and believable events and believable characters. I Loved it all.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

This book was recommended to me by my school librarian. She told me that I would laugh, be angry, cry and I did it all. I really love this author and I will be reading more books by him!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Filled with emotion

At forest it was difficult to get into it but when I did it was wonderful. I loved the characters and the way they played out in the story. I honestly cried with and for the character, got angry with and for the character, and was happy with and for the character. It is a book filled with emotion. the narrator did well to bring to life.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Outstanding performance by Sam Freed!

I had to check whether this book had more than one narrator because the various voices of males and females characters of all ages are so distinct. It seemed there must be a cast of narrators! Excellently done! It made listening to this book a real pleasure. The story is also compelling. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that Schmidt made the story so bleak with so many deaths.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great coming of age story, authentic Maine setting

An engaging story that reveals a fascinating slice of Maine history. I live in Maine near the town in which this story takes place, and the author captures life on the Maine coast beautifully.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good Service

Everything worked out well, nice service. Good book.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

a little boring

Slow beginning and middle. Picks up a little in the last 1/4, but not enough to make up for the other 3/4. The book tries to teach a message, but it takes so long in getting there that its a little bit anti-climatic once it does come.

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