Margaret in the Middle

Bernice Thurman Hunter. Scholastic 1986. ISBN: 978-0590736664.

Plot Summary: This is the second story in a trilogy about Margaret, an awkward adolescent who has come to the country to live with her Aunt and Uncle after a bout of TB. She quickly forms a special relationship with Star and through this relationship learns responsibility and the importance of love and relationships. Her younger sister, whom she has not seem since she left home, comes for a visit and Margaret resents having to share the attention she is used to receiving from her friends and her new family.


Critical Evaluation: This is a nice, simple story with a gentle moral. Margaret in the Middle is well written and allows the reader to feel empathy for the characters and learn from their mistakes.

Readers Annotation: Margaret, a 13 year old girl, is living with her aunt and uncle out in the country. She has a special relationship with Star, a working horse on the farm. The story focuses on her life on the farm and her relationships with family and friends.


Author Info: Bernice Thurman Hunter is a Canadian author that specializes in writing historical fiction geared toward tween and teen girls. She is the author of two trilogies: The Booky trilogy, and the Margaret trilogy. She is also the other of other works such as; The Girls They Left Behind, Amy's Promise, and The Runaway.


Genre: Fiction, Coming of age


Curriculum Ties: Canadian History


Book talking Ideas: Focus on relationships with pets, living away from home, and family.
Reading Level: 9-12

Challenge Issues: None. If any, could be recommended to research the time period the book takes place and reviews the the author and her work.


Why Selected: I read it years ago and wanted to re-read.