I read the book in the late 1970’s early 1980’s. It would have been a fiction/science fiction paperback book from the local library (Manchester, Georgia). I remember a female protagonist child (and her brother) who were lost members of technologically advanced race studying the planet but were members of private tribe? She was being called back (dreams). She had to run away from her tribe. While in route her brother stepped on something in the sea (perhaps a sea urchin) (Spoiler alert! ………. and died.)
Category Archives: 1980s
359F: Early 90’s Humorous Horror Children’s Book
358W: Letter Seems to Lead to Boyfriend Stealer’s Death (But Doesn’t)
I don't recall the tile or author. I purchased the book via Scholastic books around 1985 in Toronto, Canada (from school).
Cover: A blond girl (I don't remember what she was wearing)
Synopsis: One summer, the blond girl visits her cousin who lives in another city (their mothers are sisters). The Christmas before, the blond girl visited her cousin. Her cousin had a boyfriend but she was sure another girl was trying to steal him away. So the blond girl and cousin want to get back at her. They write her secret admirer love letters asking her to meet somewhere. The "boyfriend stealer" drives out that night but dies in a car crash. The blond girl and cousin are distraught with guilt. That summer, the cousin tells the blond girl that she thinks the boyfriend stealer is haunting her. Strange things have been happening lately. Anyway, we find out that the strange events were due to the new gardener who loved the boyfriend stealer. He knew about the letter and blamed them for her death. But the boyfriend stealer thought the secret admirer letters were coming from the gardener, who would stalk her, so she ignored them. The night of the crash she was actually on her way to visit her own boyfriend. She never intended to steal the blond girl's cousin's boyfriend. They were only friends. Phewph! Very long, I'm sorry, but I'm hoping you could help me find this book.
358H: Cold War spy thriller set in Africa
As a child (sometimes in the 80’s or early 90’s) I read a book about a brilliant and charismatic Cold War era African leader who uses military cunning to successfully invade two of his neighboring countries (I believe Togo and Benin) .
The plot revolves around the leader setting the two countries against one another by having a mercenary frame one country for planting a bomb in the other. The leader than promises each country his support in a future war, but ends up invading and taking over both countries.
The book features an American or British white citizen visiting the country, befriending the African leader and falling in love with with a black tall singer. He joins the final battle in the book.
I also recall a minor scene where a pedophile communist spy was able to discover the plot by getting a government official drank, but he is killed prior to being able to share the info.
Another character is a British white secretary which works for the African leader and becomes his mistress.
I did extensive online research but could not find the book.
358B: Boy Loses the Smallest Nesting Doll
Looking for a children’s book about a boy who snuck and took a nesting doll. While he was sitting on the curb he dropped the smallest nesting doll in the storm drain. I believe he took the doll in a lunchbox? Maybe tried to go to show and tell? He had to tell his mom he lost the doll. My mom read it to me in the 80’s when I was little.
357Y: 1980’s young reader fiction set in Boston
357X: Cat Gets Lost, Travels World
The book I remember is a children’s book. I think the cover showed the cat sitting in front of the Taj Mahal.
357T: Three Interwoven Rings
Would you please help me find this book?
The main character (could have been a girl) and a father who traveled to far off places or jungles a lot brought home a wooden crate and inside was a seraph. And it was in the attic or the main character played in the attic. Maybe someone was sick or dying in the hospital throughout the book. At the end something about three interconnected or interwoven rings.
I checked it out from a middle school library in the 1980s. It would’ve been a newer looking book at the time. That’s all I can remember.
357R: Girl’s Uncombed Hair Becomes Nest for Many Creatures
Looking for a vintage book (read it to my daughter in the 80's) about a girl named Katerina (Caterina?) (Princess?) who wouldn't comb her hair - had many creatures living in it. She finally got help brushing it from a hedgehog. Book had lovely soft watercolor line drawing illustrations.
357P: Schizophrenic Lady M.D.
Book written in 1950’s, 60’s I think. But remotely possible published as late as 70’s, 80’s. Autobiography (?) by woman (maybe named “Diane”, not sure…?) who suffered schizophrenia (I think, or some sort of mental illness) and became an M.D. despite this.
Probably a U.S. book, but not sure. English language, anyway.