Betty Cavanna Criticism
Betty Cavanna, an influential American novelist, has been writing about the adolescent experience since 1943, under her own name and pseudonyms such as Betsy Allen and Elizabeth Headley. Her works are renowned for their insightful portrayal of teenage life and accurate depiction of settings, focusing initially on the quintessential "all-American" girl. These early novels often explore themes of anxiety, jealousy, and love, despite critiques of their simplicity and reliance on male characters as noted by Dwight L. Burton. Among her most acclaimed works is Going on Sixteen, celebrated for its authentic character development and realistic scenarios, as discussed by Margaret A. Edwards.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Cavanna’s novels began incorporating more complex and controversial themes, such as racial and cultural conflicts, reflecting the evolving American teenage lifestyle. However, these later works, with the exception of Jenny Kimura, received mixed critical reception, as highlighted by critics like Margaret Sherwood Libby. Cavanna has also been noted for revising her earlier works to suit contemporary times and for crafting original historical narratives. While some critics argue her novels attract an unsophisticated audience, others praise her ability to connect with readers through relatable characters and realistic portrayals of adolescence, a strength recognized by Ruth Hill Viguers.
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May Lamberton Becker
(summary)
In the following essay, May Lamberton Becker praises "The Black Spaniel Mystery" by Betty Cavanna as an engaging and complex mystery novel for young readers, noting that its length and intricate plot make it a compelling read that encourages multiple readings.
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May Lamberton Becker
(summary)
In the following essay, May Lamberton Becker praises "Going on Sixteen" for accurately reflecting the lives of teenage girls, highlighting Betty Cavanna's ability to create authentic characters and relatable scenarios, as demonstrated in her earlier work, "Black Spaniel Mystery."
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Jane Cobb and Helen Dore Boylston
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In the following essay, Jane Cobb and Helen Dore Boylston commend Betty Cavanna's A Date for Diane for its skillful, humorous depiction of adolescent experiences, highlighting its empathy and avoidance of caricature or condescension, thus authentically capturing the timeless feelings of fourteen-year-olds.
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Ellen Lewis Buell
(summary)
In the following essay, Ellen Lewis Buell recommends Betty Cavanna's "A Date for Diane" for its insightful and enjoyable depiction of adolescent experiences, despite not endorsing the protagonist's behavior as a model for young readers.
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Ellen Lewis Buell
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In the following review, Ellen Lewis Buell describes how Betty Cavanna's novel "Secret Passage" captures the period and place of 1859 with a simple plot and a relatable protagonist, despite its predictability.
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May Lamberton Becker
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In the following essay, May Lamberton Becker praises "Secret Passage" by Betty Cavanna as a well-written and memorable mystery for girls that skillfully intertwines historical atmosphere with themes of slavery, presenting nuanced portrayals of characters affected by the era.
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Ellen Lewis Buell
(summary)
In the following essay, Ellen Lewis Buell discusses Betty Cavanna's novel "Take a Call, Topsy," highlighting its serious themes and insightful portrayal of teenage life and its challenges, despite lacking the spontaneity and polish of Cavanna's previous work, "A Date for Diane."
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May Lamberton Becker
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In the following essay, May Lamberton Becker praises Betty Cavanna's book "A Girl Can Dream" for its relatable heroine and insightful portrayal of a young girl learning to fly, emphasizing Cavanna's ability to connect with the average girl's experiences beyond just aviation.
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Virginia H. Matthews
(summary)
In the following essay, Virginia H. Matthews praises Betty Cavanna's ability to vividly capture the emotional intensity of adolescence and effectively portray the protagonist's maturation journey in "Paintbox Summer," highlighting the universal appeal and satisfaction this narrative provides to its young audience.
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Mary Gould Davis
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In the following essay, Mary Gould Davis praises "Paintbox Summer" for its honest and sensitive portrayal of first love, set against the vivid backdrop of Cape Cod, highlighting its humor and realistic human relationships.
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Alice Brooks McGuire
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In the following essay, Alice Brooks McGuire highlights a "Cinderella" theme in Betty Cavanna's "Spring Comes Riding," praising Cavanna's skill in portraying the emotional challenges and relatable experiences of teenage girls with authenticity and depth.
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Teenage Hurdle
(summary)
In the following essay, Gladys Crofoot Castor praises Betty Cavanna for her skillful depiction of a teenage girl's emotional journey and self-discovery amidst the backdrop of family life, social events, and budding romance in "Spring Comes Riding."
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May Lamberton Becker
(summary)
In the following essay, May Lamberton Becker highlights the timeless relevance of Betty Cavanna's "Catchpenny Street" by illustrating how its themes of individual choice and personal discovery resonate across generations, particularly appealing to young women navigating their own desires for security during times of societal upheaval.
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Dwight L. Burton
(summary)
In the following essay, Dwight L. Burton examines the appeal of Betty Cavanna's novels to adolescent readers, highlighting the realistic character development in her novel Going on Sixteen while critiquing her reliance on stereotypes in family portrayals and characterizations in her other works.
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Margaret A. Edwards
(summary)
In the following essay, Margaret A. Edwards discusses how Betty Cavanna's novels, such as Going on Sixteen and A Date for Diane, effectively convey messages of self-assurance and popularity to young, shy girls through engaging and persuasive storytelling.
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Laurie Grows Up
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In the following essay, Nora Kramer praises the character of Laurie in Betty Cavanna's Love, Laurie for her strength and dignity, noting the novel's appeal to reserved girls and highlighting Laurie's growth through personal challenges and relationships, despite the plot's simplicity.
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Richard S. Alm
(summary)
In the following essay, Richard S. Alm evaluates Betty Cavanna's novels, highlighting her ability to portray adolescent growth and sensitivity, though he criticizes the unsustained characterization in A Girl Can Dream while praising the convincing development in Going on Sixteen.
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Alberta Eiseman
(summary)
In the following essay, Alberta Eiseman praises Betty Cavanna's depiction of Angela Dodge's journey to becoming a skilled skier, emphasizing the realistic characters, engaging storyline, and vivid portrayal of skiing and its surroundings.
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Alberta Eiseman
(summary)
In the following essay, Alberta Eiseman critiques Betty Cavanna's novel "Stars in Her Eyes" for its engaging storytelling but notes that it suffers from a lack of consistency and detail, leaving several plot motivations and character actions inadequately explained.
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Alberta Eiseman
(summary)
In the following essay, Alberta Eiseman praises Betty Cavanna's ability to vividly depict the excitement of sailing and the social dynamics between Cape Cod locals and summer visitors, while also highlighting the engaging portrayal of the protagonist and the well-developed supporting characters in The Scarlet Sail.
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Virginia Haviland
(summary)
In the following essay, Virginia Haviland critiques Betty Cavanna's The Scarlet Sail for its believable yet insufficiently gripping portrayal of a heroine's adjustment to new familial and social environments, ultimately considering it a popular yet facile work.
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Ruth Hill Viguers
(summary)
In the following essay, Ruth Hill Viguers assesses Betty Cavanna's ability to portray teenage girls in both contemporary and historical fiction, noting her depth and compassion but critiquing the overly didactic and clinical approach in works like A Touch of Magic and The Scarlet Sail.
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Margaret Sherwood Libby
(summary)
In the following essay, Margaret Sherwood Libby critiques Betty Cavanna's Jenny Kimura, praising the authentic depiction of cultural and personal conflicts but criticizing the book's latter portion for devolving into an unconvincing and sentimental romance.
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Becky Welz
(summary)
In the following essay, Becky Welz criticizes Betty Cavanna's works "Mystery at Love's Creek," "Jenny Kimura," "A Breath of Fresh Air," "The Ghost of Ballyhooly," and "Joyride" for their lack of relatable teenage characters and contemporary relevance, noting particular issues with outdated language, character development, and integration of contemporary themes.
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Lillian N. Gerhardt
(summary)
In the following essay, Lillian N. Gerhardt critiques Betty Cavanna's novels for their lack of realism and complexity, arguing that works like Joyride and Ruffles and Drums rely on simplistic plots and predictable character developments, ultimately failing to engage readers beyond a very young audience.
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Cyrisse Jaffee
(summary)
In the following essay, Cyrisse Jaffee criticizes Betty Cavanna's novel "Ruffles and Drums" for its formulaic plot and stereotypical characterizations, which fail to enliven the historical setting of colonial Concord during the American Revolution, suggesting the work adds little to the Bicentennial literary market.
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Kay Haugaard
(summary)
In the following essay, Kay Haugaard critiques Betty Cavanna's works, arguing that despite the potential for engaging narratives, Cavanna's characterization and plotting fall short, resulting in underwhelming stories such as Ruffles and Drums and The Mystery of the Buddha, which lack depth and originality.
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Zena Sutherland
(summary)
In the following essay, Zena Sutherland critiques You Can't Take Twenty Dogs on a Date by highlighting the book's adequate writing and characterization, while praising the realistic family dynamics, protagonist's dedication, and the appealing portrayal of dogs, despite the story's slight plot development.
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Phyllis Ingram
(summary)
In the following essay, Phyllis Ingram critiques Betty Cavanna's Runaway Voyage for its clichéd characters and dialogue, noting that the novel's historical setting is overshadowed by a formulaic romance and travelogue-like descriptions.
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Jean F. Mercier
(summary)
In the following essay, Jean F. Mercier commends Betty Cavanna's novel "Runaway Voyage" for its lively and romantic narrative, drawing from historical events, and praises the endearing character of Eliza, whose engaging adventures hold reader interest.
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Denise M. Wilms
(summary)
In the following essay, Denise M. Wilms contends that Betty Cavanna's Runaway Voyage offers an engaging, historically interesting narrative with stock characters that enhance the action, ultimately delivering a satisfying and undemanding reading experience.
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Helen Gregory
(summary)
In the following essay, Helen Gregory critiques Betty Cavanna's revised novel, Ballet Fever, highlighting its superficial updates and noting its emphasis on plot over genuine dance elements, ultimately deeming it a competent yet uninspired work of craftsmanship rather than artistry.