a high school senior and Betsy's best friend since they met at Betsy's birthday party when she was five years old. Tib Muller, a high school senior and Betsy's other best friend. Tony Markham, a high school senior and the "Tall Dark Stranger" Betsy fell in love with as a freshman, who has since become a good friend not only to Betsy but the entire Ray family. Mrs. Ray, Betsy's mother. Mr. Ray, Betsy's father, who owns a shoestore. Margaret Ray, Betsy's sister who is five years younger than she is. Julia Ray, Betsy's older sister who is spending the year studying opera in Europe. Carney Sibley, a freshman at Vassar College and a former member of the Crowd. The Crowd. Membership in the Crowd varies, but generally includes Betsy, Tacy, Tib, Carney, Alice Morrison, Irma Biscay, Hazel Smith, Dennie Farisy, Dave Hunt, Cab Edwards and Tony Markham. Other members come in and out. Other facts The quote at the beginning of the book is "All's well that ends well" by William Shakespeare. Maud Hart Lovelace dedicated Betsy and Joe to her husband, Delos Lovelace. The book is a fictionalized account of the author's senior year in high school. In fact, she did not meet Delos Lovelace until after high school. Julia's letters are based in large part on letters written by Maud's older sister, Kathleen, while on a similar trip. References Betsy-Tacy 1948 American novels Novels set in Minnesota Fiction set in 1909 Fiction set in 1910 1948 children's books Thomas Y. Crowell Co. books Books with cover art by Michael Koelsch