"Becky Likes Boys" begins with awkward moments at Becky Chalmers' first dance. She and her Asian friend, David, talk about dreams of travelling and college. These are heavy thoughts for Becky who decides to focus on her fun-filled todays. A Christmas celebration is almost ruined by an ice storm. Becky, Scotty Cadwallader, and a new friend, Hayley, attempt to thwart a mean girl's plans and persuade her to try kindness. The stage is set for crush to appear.
In cutoff jeans, a ratty, old T-shirt, and sneakers with holes in the toes, Becky meets her first love. Jackie Chalmers, Becky's mother is asked to describe what love feels like. "Yup, I'm in love," Becky says. Oblivious of those around them, Becky and her crush become close until an unexpected event changes everything. Becky suffers—an old friend's presence revives the hope in her heart.
Becky Chalmers' story is a compelling one. Although set in the 1960s, all contemporary preteens and teens will personally identify with the situations and emotions of the characters. "Becky Likes Boys" ends with a twist and a promise.
"Becky Likes Boys" begins with awkward moments at Becky Chalmers' first dance. She and her Asian friend, David, talk about dreams of travelling and college. These are heavy thoughts for Becky who decides to focus on her fun-filled todays. A Christmas celebration is almost ruined by an ice storm. Becky, Scotty Cadwallader, and a new friend, Hayley, attempt to thwart a mean girl's plans and persuade her to try kindness. The stage is set for crush to appear.
In cutoff jeans, a ratty, old T-shirt, and sneakers with holes in the toes, Becky meets her first love. Jackie Chalmers, Becky's mother is asked to describe what love feels like. "Yup, I'm in love," Becky says. Oblivious of those around them, Becky and her crush become close until an unexpected event changes everything. Becky suffers—an old friend's presence revives the hope in her heart.
Becky Chalmers' story is a compelling one. Although set in the 1960s, all contemporary preteens and teens will personally identify with the situations and emotions of the characters. "Becky Likes Boys" ends with a twist and a promise.
Becky Chalmers and her sister-friend, Sharon discussed the spring dance to be held at Yardley Elementary School. This would be their first dance ever. Becky nervously lifted her feathery dark hair catching a bit of it and twirling it around her index finger, a comforting habit. She was baffled by the attention given this first dance by her mother. Sharon kept the dance within the realm of an everyday event. Sharon was almost always earthbound. “Who are you going to dance with Becky?” Sharon asked.
“Probably David. My mom says we’re compatible.” Becky didn’t want to be without a boyfriend for the big event. “Scotty Cadwallader asked me to dance with him, too,” Becky said, “I’m not sure I want to though.”
David was slim and graceful, Scotty was big and clumsy, but Becky had made a deal with Scotty. This week, Scotty was a hero having rescued a tiny kitten who couldn’t get down from the big maple tree at the edge of the school playground.
“That kitten climbed all the way up to the top of the tree. I’m an expert rescuer. It was no sweat to save him,” Scotty told the group of girls who surrounded him. “Do you want to take this kitten home with you?” Scotty asked Becky.
“I’ll take good care of him,” Becky said, snuggling the tiny creature.
“Remember, I gave you the kitten. You have to dance with me on Saturday,” Scotty was pretty proud of this trade.
The kitten nestled in Becky’s arms. “I’ll dance with you once,” she said.
In the Chalmers household, Becky’s mom, Jackie, focused on her daughter’s first dance. Jackie was ready to launch Becky, her oldest child, into the grown-up world of school dances. After all, Jackie had met Jim when they were both nine-years-old.
Thinking ahead Jackie Chalmers said, “Becky, I think you’re old enough to wear pantyhose to the dance.”
“Do you really, Mom? I promise I’ll be very careful with them.” As soon as Becky told Sharon about this milestone, Sharon went home and asked for pantyhose, too.
On Friday morning, the two mothers: Jackie Chalmers and Pat Edwards, went to Sears and Roebuck in Trenton to buy the necessary apparel.
“Here’s some of this new pantyhose for Becky, and look they have training bras,” said Jackie, pleased.
“I searched and thankfully I found pantyhose in Sharon’s size,” Pat said, with less enthusiasm.
Jackie said, “Let’s get them training bras, too Pat.”
“Don’t get carried away, Jackie,” said Pat.
Jackie paused, but bought Becky a training bra anyway.
Those students chosen for the decorating committee spent all of Friday afternoon fixing up the school cafeteria for the occasion. Becky and Sharon watched. All but one of the tables were folded up and pushed to a corner by the janitor. The kids stretched crepe paper streamers and flowers made of colored construction paper around the remaining table. Lemonade and cookies baked by the mothers would be served.
Becky said to Sharon, “Look where the chairs are lined up against the wall. My mom told me they’re for the wallflowers. She said girls who don’t get asked to dance have to sit there. I’ll never be a wallflower.” Becky was unquestionably sure.
This significant event would take place from 2 pm to 4 pm on Saturday afternoon. When Becky and Sharon took their morning walk to the Yardley library, they were eager and slightly jittery.
Mrs. Pincher, the librarian had a surprise for the girls. “Your friend David Yong told me about the spring dance. I made you corsages from pink tissue paper.” She showed them the paper flowers and put them in small boxes for Becky and Sharon to take home.
“Oh, thank you Mrs. Pincher,” Becky said. “Sharon, we’ll wear these flowers to the dance. It’s better to wear a tissue paper flower than to be a wallflower, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, I never knew Mrs. Pincher could be kind,” Sharon said later.
Mrs. Pincher got along well with Becky who visited the library frequently; but she still had to struggle to be nice to Becky’s twin brothers, Jimmy and Billy Chalmers. The secret of who wrote a bad word on the library wall some time ago, had come out last week, although the snitch didn’t know for sure which twin was the culprit.
It was time to get ready. Each of the girls started with bubble baths at their respective homes. Dried off, her hair still dripping, Becky heard her mother say, “Becky, I have a special surprise for you.” Jackie held up a training bra; the package of pantyhose was tucked under her other arm.
Jim Chalmers was told about his daughter’s new apparel. He asked his wife why Becky needed to squeeze into pantyhose, “Becky doesn’t have an ounce of fat on her?” Jackie, who had been wearing a girdle almost every day since the twins were born, gave her husband the look. Jim knew he’d slipped into dangerous territory and asked no more questions, suddenly remembering the car needed a wash.
While Jackie watched, Becky struggled into the pantyhose, “Mom these are too tight.”
“You could wear Bobbie socks and your old Mary Janes (shoes),” Jackie said, knowing what Becky’s choice would be.
“I think I’ll wear pantyhose with my Sunday shoes instead,” Becky sighed.
At the Edwards’ house, Pat explained to Sharon how to adjust her pantyhose. Pat didn’t want her little girl to grow up fast.
Becky and Sharon were ready.
Jim and Jackie drove Becky to Yardley Elementary School in the baby blue Dodge Dart station wagon.
Pat and Lee Edwards, Sr. rode with Sharon in the back seat of their Rambler.
The new hit, Wooly Bully, boomed from a stereo as the girls entered the cafeteria. Becky happily danced with David.
After the next few records were played, Scotty cornered Becky at the refreshment table. “It’s my turn, Becky,” Scotty said.
Becky thought, I may as well get it over with now. Scotty escorted Becky to the middle of the cafeteria where the limbo was to take place. (The purpose of the limbo was to bend backward as low as possible and edge underneath the bamboo pole without knocking it to the ground.) Scotty, bigger than everyone else, was the first one eliminated. Becky didn’t hide her laughter.
“Let’s dance some more, Becky. I want all the other boys to see us,” said Scotty, loudly.
“No, Scotty. I only promised you one dance.” Becky did not envision her first dance partnered for the rest of the occasion with Scotty. Unfortunately, the damage was done, none of the other boys wanted to be Becky’s partner. Scotty was too intimidating.
Becky became a wallflower. Becky observed everyone else. Once chosen, Sharon never sat down in a wallflower chair again. Becky went from slightly annoyed to tearfully sad while she watched David pick a different girl each time a new record was played.
Girls just didn’t ask boys to dance with them in 1965. That was the rule.
I’ll go get some lemonade, Becky thought.
Becky was munching on a cookie when Scotty snuck up behind her and did the unthinkable. Becky felt the back of her bra, beneath her party dress, pulled and released—it snapped back. This nasty trick had started on the playground just a week ago. It hadn’t been witnessed and stopped by the teachers, yet.
Becky was distressed beyond tears. Turning to run to the wallflower chairs, her pantyhose snagged on the leg of the refreshment table. The rip was disastrous. Becky’s left pantyhose leg descended around her ankle. She ran for the girl’s room instead. I’m giving that kitten back to Scotty, Becky stomped her foot on the tile floor. She hid for a few moments in a stall. Pride took over, Becky removed the pantyhose, dumped it in the trash, and lifted her chin resolving not to let Scotty ruin her afternoon.
It was one thing to be brave in the girl’s room, but when Becky returned to the cafeteria she took a seat in a wallflower chair. She was stunned into an embarrassed quietness. Dances were supposed to be fun. Becky looked at the other girls. A few of them had occupied the wallflower chairs for an entire hour. Mary Turner was crying, her tears dripping onto a lovely party dress.
Outside of the building, parents spied through the cafeteria windows, some were silent now. Jim Chalmers’ heart was breaking for his daughter and the other young girls sitting in the wallflower chairs. He rounded up the wallflower fathers and convinced them to crash the party with him.
The men entered the cafeteria. Jim stood before his daughter offering his hand to Becky. She quickly rose from her chair. Jim did the twist rather awkwardly, but Becky didn’t care. “Oh, Daddy, I’m glad you’re here,” she said.
The magic hour came quickly. Crepe paper sagged, the cookies were gone, the dance was a memory. Before leaving, Jim Chalmers had a discussion with Scotty and few of the other boys about the consequences of any further bra-snapping.
At home, Becky kissed her daddy goodnight before climbing the stairs to her bedroom. Still absorbing what happened at the dance, Becky pinned the pink tissue paper corsage to the blue satin quilt, curling up with her kitten in the window seat. “Maybe someday there won’t be wallflower chairs,” Becky said to the moon.
Set in Yardley, Pennsylvania during the 1960s, Becky Likes Boys spans roughly two years in the life of young Becky Chalmers in this delightful and heartfelt novel about family, faith, friendship, and discovery.
Sensitive and thoughtful, Becky encounters all kinds of situations, questions, and relationships as she navigates her way through the final days of elementary school into the uncertain and turbulent waters of Charles Boehm Junior High. Along the way we meet several memorable characters. These include Sharon, Becky’s “sister-friend” and trusted confidante; Scotty Cadwallader, who’s convinced he’s her boyfriend; David Yong, “American Dragon;” and her new heart throb, Juan Carlos.
When Becky meets David Yong, they have a discussion about the future and college. David’s parents are saving up to send him to college. He dreams of being an engineer like his dad. Becky isn’t exactly sold on the idea of college. She likes Yardley and doesn’t want to leave. But she also loves history, so maybe…?
When Becky gets to junior high, she finds herself in the crosshairs of the meanest girl in school, Meg. When Meg cooks up a plan to frame Becky for cheating on a math test, an unexpected turn of events takes place and then… Oh, wait. To find out what happens next, you’ll have to read the book yourself.
There’s also the high dive at swim club. Summer camp. Face powder. Go-go boots. “Keep your peace.” Bazooka bubble gum. The Gettysburg Address. Mr. O-Angel. Tostones. The Beatles and forty-five records. Mary Janes. A Dodge Dart station wagon and a Rambler. Cupcakes! “The Temperamental Madame Queen.” And some unexpected plot twists.
There’s something rich and warm about the writing that makes it almost incandescent. Like turning on a light in a darkened room. The author expertly captures the swirling and ever-changing emotions of preteens and young teens as well as their anxieties, uncertainties, hopes and dreams. The bittersweet experience of leaving one’s childhood behind on the road to maturity will resonate with many.
The writing is skilled and supple. You can almost smell the newly-mowed hay wafting through the open car windows. Taste the Christmas turkey and Becky’s date-walnut-sugar treats. Feel the wind whipping over the snow during a Christmas sleigh ride.
In terms of structure, each chapter glides effortlessly into the next as the story unfolds and readers get to know more about Becky and her friends and family. The introduction to Becky’s great-great grandfather is masterful. So is this gently faith-flavored story of family, togetherness, kindness, community, friendship, shared hurts, and grace.
Sturdy writing, crisp characterizations and a briskly paced plot will appeal to this book’s target audience of preteens and teens. Although perhaps a bit abrupt, the ending opens the door for a smooth sail into the next book in the series.
Becky Likes Boys is Book #6 in the Becky Chalmers Books series. Reading the prior books in this series may be helpful but is not imperative. At just under one hundred pages, Becky Likes Boys can be read as a stand-alone.
Evocative, uplifting and effervescent, Becky Likes Boys is as welcome and refreshing as a cup of cold water on a hot August afternoon. It will leave you wanting more.
My Rating: 4.5