Request #42

. The book I’m looking for is a YA diary-type novel. I think the main character is named Sarah or Sara. She has an older sister named Deirdre (called Didi). I remember the cover is a girl with brown hair wearing I think a white t-shirt. She is sitting in a purple background. I don’t remember much about the plot except she doesn’t get along with her family and there is a line something like, “You can tell what their expectations were, naming her Deirdre, and me, just plain Sarah.” It was definitely from the early to mid 1970s.  Solved by an Anonymous Lost Classics Reader: Diary of a Frantic Kid Sister by Hila Colman….. there was also a sequel, Nobody has to be a Kid Forever.

Request #41

So, there is a book I’m trying to find. I’m afraid that I don’t have much to go on. All I remember is that it was a thriller plot, and that the protagonist girl was missing one finger. It was something she was embarassed about, and she was a loner at school, not wanting anyone to know unless they were a good friend or family.

At one point during a thunderstorm outside, she looks out her bedroom window and thinks there is somebody spying on her next to a tree.

This book would have probably been printed in the late 80s, possibly 1990 or so. I read it in my elementary school class around ’91.

Request #40

Sometime in my junior high years (mid 1970’s) I read a book about a girl named Connie whose family had a sudden financial crisis. They moved to the poor side of town to live with Aunt Berta. Connie often returned to her former neighborhood, which was ruled by a stuck up snot named Leora Hyde. The only part I remember is Leora’s father trying to commit suicide in the garage, and Connie found him and pulled him out of the car. Suggestion from Lost Classics Reader reshpeckobiggle: Connie by Anne Alexander

Request #38

 I have been searching for a book of short stories for girls from the mid 1960’s. I am guessing that it is a Scholastic book, as I am sure that I bought it at a junior high school book fair. I remember details of 2 stories in particular. I remember a high school girl who wanted new clothes so she would become more popular; she wanted “shoes that look like ballet slippers…and a string of pearls!” Another story was about a girl whose father said that she may not be a pretty girl, but she was going to be a beautiful woman. Do these sound familiar to anyone? Grateful for any help that you have to offer. Thanks so much!  Sometimes Magic Edited by Hallie Burnett, solved by Lost Classics reader Jennifer! 

Request #37

Looking for a YA book that may have been published in the 60s or 70s. About a girl in college who has to choose summer internships/placements in public service. I think she wanted to go to a settlement house (like Hull House in Chicago) but instead goes to an orphanage and does good work there. So then she is given an opportunity to go to her preferred next placement, but decides to stick with working at the orphanage. Any ideas?? Suggestion from Lost Classics reader Cathie: sounds very much like Dear Enemy by Jean Webster, but it was written in 1915.

Request #35

Our teacher read us this book in 7th grade (so 1985). A boy wants to ride the family’s riding lawnmower, and dad says no. For some reason, the boy is home alone (the family is away for the day). The boy gets on the lawnmower, falls off, and dies when the mower goes over him. There is a younger brother in the story also. Can’t remember the author or the title. Suggestion: Nobody’s Fault? by Patricia Hermes

Request #34

The book that I have been unsuccessfully searching for is a book of short stories for girls that was published in the mid 1960’s. I recall purchasing it at a school book fair, most likely in junior high. The stories were mostly coming of age stories for teenage girls. One story told of a girl who did not fit in in high school, and she wanted new clothes that she believed would help. I remember she wanted to buy “shoes that look like ballet slippers and a string of pearls. I seem to recall that she also played the piano. Another story was about a girl who felt very unattractive and her dad said something to the effect of she was not a pretty girl but she was going to be a beautiful woman. I have searched for this collection of short stories for many years and have found many collections, but not this particular one. I would be very grateful if you might have any information about this elusive book. Thank you for any suggestions you may have. Partial update from Barbara: the specific story,  “In Tempo” by Sue Moskowit, has been found in another collection, A Matter of Choice, but we’re still on the look out for another short story collection in which it appeared! 

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.