Books with title Busy Lizzie

Tiny, warm-hearted, totally devoted to her charming rogue of a husband, Lizzie mothers her brood of nephews and nieces through the perils of the war-torn capital, makes a home for them in the bomb shelters of underground London, launches them on the roller-coaster of life, and stands by with help and encouragement. For Lizzie is a survivor, an irresistible heroine with the unquenchable optimism, the great heart, the indomitable courage that sum up the spirit of the East End.

Lizzie's time in Year Six is coming to an end. All her 'gorger' (non-gypsy) friends - including Tess - are going on to secondary school, but Lizzie's dad wants her to stay back at the traveller site and look after the younger kids, so her mum can earn money as a cleaner. Lizzie may not be much good at reading or writing, but she is a really talented artist. Can Lizzie find a way to go to art college? And how could she possibly get her dad to agree to such an outlandish plan? Focusing on one of the four main characters in the series 'The Travellers', this book is a great read as well as an effective way of coming to understand the world of travelling (gypsy) communities, through the eyes of one of four young teenagers. Offering interesting insights into the way travelling communities live and work, and contradicting many stereotypical assumptions about travellers and non-travellers alike, this book is perfect for any reader who wishes to know more about a different way of life.