Request #663 from Andrew

I was asked to help find a book that the reader read in the 1950s. It’s about an American farm girl, early to mid teens, just discovering boys. Horses play a large role, although she wasn’t sure if it was a horse farm or just a farm with horses. The cover was illustrated with basic line drawing in pen and ink. It sounds like it may have a fairly romantic view of farming, because she said it was where she got the idea she’d like to live the farm life.

I know it’s a long shot, but any suggestions would be great.

Request #640 From Victoria

This is a longshot but I have been searching for this lost book forever. I read it in the late 1970s  It was a teen/summer romance about a first love, possibly Scholastic book or Arrow Book Club. I think it was set at the beach and the cover was pink with maybe a beach sunset. At the end, the girl and boy are not together.   Thank you for any clues on this!

Request #637 from Mackenna

I can remember that the book was a dark green velvet cover. It was about a fairy who lived in a city and could only touch things that were alive in order for her to stay alive. She would travel through the city touching moss and plants like that. I was given this book a a gift and lost it while moving homes, it was a great childhood book and I read it around 2007-2011. Any help would be appreciated!!

Request #628 From Jenny

You and your site helped me identify a book a few years ago, and I’m hoping you can help again! I have a lot of details but can’t manage to search in a way that pulls up this book.

This book is from the 70s or 80s, I read it in probably the mid to late 90s. It was paperback and a realistic, contemporary, coming-of-age YA fiction. It’s from a boy’s POV and mostly takes place during the summer before going into high school. I think the main character has been chubby his whole life, but spends the summer working really hard doing landscaping with his friend, and by the end of the book he’s surprised that he’s way taller, stronger, and not chubby anymore. He’s had a major crush on this hot, thin girl and ignores her chubby friend (who he DOES notice has beautiful brown eyes). I think that he and his friend spend the summer trying to surprise the hot girl when she’s sunbathing so that she’ll sit up without her top on. I think that something crazy happens at the end of the book (like an escaped dog, or someone being chased through the yard), and she DOES sit up but the main character misses seeing it? But his friend does and is gobsmacked lol. Anyways, the chubby girl by the end of the summer ALSO gets thinner while she’s away at camp and is suddenly all sexy in a new swimsuit. The main character doesn’t recognize her at first, but then recognizes her beautiful brown eyes. He kisses her and they start the new school year. 

Request #421 From lewisgail77

Trying to get the name of a book I read in the late 1960’s or early 1970.s.. It was a paperback – might have been purchased through the school.  It is about a girl that lives next to a boy.  They were friends when younger but as they got older, she became more popular.  They are now in high school and he works a lot on his car and they don’t talk.  Something happened and she needs to fake a boyfriend.  She convinces him to be her fake boyfriend, but he falls for her.  They get together and go to prom.  Very sweet book. I think it may have “something borrowed” or so in the title.  Would appreciate any help.

Request #199

I read this book in 1975 or 1976 although it could have been written earlier. It was purchased from Scholastic or Weekly Reader. The plot revolved around an unsolved murder mystery in a rural town. At the end of the story a gun is found tucked away in the rafters of an old barn. The barn might catch on fire too. I think the book’s cover may have been orange and black. I’m sorry I can’t recall much else. I’ve been searching for this one for a long time! Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Request #33

 I’m pretty sure it was written/set in the 80s because I swear I remember the mention of a pork pie hat (which at the time I didn’t know what that was :))
The main character is a high school boy who I think is new to town and makes friends with another boy and maybe a girl (love interest?). The main thing I remember is that they have a young, pretty, female English teacher who is being sexually harassed/threatened by a student in their class. The harassing student is really big and tall and he makes a photocopy/xerox of his hands and leaves it on the teacher’s desk with a misspelled note saying “these hands will be all over you”–the main character and his friends come across the teacher right after she finds the note and she’s really shaken up and upset. I think they come up with some plan to get the harassing student kicked out of school? Though I don’t know why the teacher wouldn’t have just reported him…but anyways.

I think that maybe the main character is also part of the school play (a small part, not a lead role) but I could be wrong. Remembering the Good Times By Richard Peck, identified by sheesh and Majenta.  

Request #4

I am trying to remember the name of a book that I would love to see you do. Probably published in the late 70’s early 80’s (I read it around 85/86):

It’s about a late teenaged (18/19) boy who lives in Colorado who is dying of cancer. Leukemia I think. The highlights of his life include; whining, going to Trader Vic’s for Tiki Drinks and I seem to recall fishing. He was a real hit with the ladies until the whole, ya know dying thing. But I think there is a loyal girl who stands by him. Blah, blah, blah. Suggested title: May I Cross Your Golden River? By Paige Dixon or Eric by Doris Lund