Lisa Railsback is a busy author. Earlier this year, her debut middle grade novel was released, and Noonie’s Masterpiece was quite a debut. As you can tell from my linked review, I was a big fan, so I gladly accepted an offer for her second middle grade novel, wondering if it would be similar in its whimsy and heart. With the short amount of time between these two publications, I was impressed with the distinctiveness of Betti on the High Wire.
Told in the voice of Babo, an orphan in an unspecified war-torn country, Railsback’s second novel does not disappoint, although it is quite different in tone from her first. The ten-year-old perspective combines the harsh realities of life as one of the children left behind after a traveling circus was decimated by soldiers, along with the magical thinking of childhood that allows Babo to hold on to hope that her circus parents escaped and will eventually return to her. When the “Melons,” or the round, pink-faced foreigners visit, it’s rare that any of the older children get adopted, so Babo never even considered it happening to her. Until the day it happens, that is. Her adoption brings her to America, and a life filled with the things we may consider average but are remarkable to Babo, who now will be called Betti.
I found this entire work to be hugely impressive. Lisa Railsback has captured the voice of a frightened child, who remains full of bravado, with absolute grace. Her internal conflicts and realizations are heartbreaking, yet her spirit and courage are incredible. Looking at the new life presented to Betti through her eyes is a fascinating experience. The follies of understanding the English language and its often ridiculous idioms are ever present, but it’s Betti herself that makes this story shine.
The depiction of a child’s emotional roller-coaster experience of late-childhood adoption is realistically painful and beautiful in Betti on the High Wire. Learning to trust and rely on others isn’t an easy task for Betti, but the process is amazing to witness.
As her children grow, Dawn appreciates being exposed to different types of kids’ literature. She blogs all things family, cute kids, NPR and books at my thoughts exactly.
Awesome cover. Sounds like a great book.