title: Lessons From The Gypsy Camp
author: Elizabeth Appell
description: An engaging exploration of such issues as individualism and family obligation "Ten-year-old Lolly Candolin finds herself having to deal with an alcoholic father and a mother who uses medication to avoid having to deal with family issues. There is a gypsy camp outside of Lolly's [town] where she is welcomed by friendly, colorful people whom [her] father, in his role as county prosecutor, has sworn to destroy. When the town sheriff is murdered and the evidence implicates the gypsy camp leader, Lolly discovers who the real killer is. Now she must decide whether to expose the murderer (which would destroy her father's professional reputation and end any chance at securing his approval) or say nothing and let an innocent man die. Elizabeth Appell's Lessons From The Gypsy Camp is an especially recommended addition to school and community library fiction shelves!" --Midwest Book Review<br /><br />"Consequences."10 year old Lolly Candolin knows her Daddy's threat is not empty. Each reminder of the "consequences" is followed by yet another brutal lesson, mercilessly taught by her overbearing alcoholic father. But, ironically, it is because of one of these cruel actions that Lolly comes upon a colorful tribe of kind-hearted gypsies who enchant her with their love of life despite its hardships, something she sees very little of at home. Set in California in 1955, "Lessons from the Gypsy Camp" is the story of a young girls induction into the adult world. After one of her gypsy friends is accused of murder, Lolly has to decide what is more important: friendship and justice, or her father's love. Her inner struggle not only helps her grow and discover herself, she also begins to understand her parents and how they are a product of their own imperfect childhoods. The lessons from the gypsy camp are well worth learning, and are made all the more entertaining by the intensely vivid and endearing characters that teach them. From the bouncing and vivacious Tick and her adoring, unconventional mother, to the simple giant Bob Bob and his lion-taming mentor Sam, Elizabeth Appell has brought to life truly believable characters, a challenge made all the more so by their innate uniqueness. And she could not have chosen an more ideal student and teacher that Lolly Candolin, whose sense of justice binds us to her while her stubborn strength, tempered by innocence, carries us safely through to a deeper understanding of the consequences of actions and the cultural assumptions that direct them. Overall, the book is an easy read with a challenging theme. The writing has a comfortably flow at a good pace. It is the kind of book that makes you want to return to in every spare minute, but friendly enough to put down for a few moments when need be. Reviewer: Nancy Morris --Allbooks Review<br /><br />MAGIC WORDS, CAN WORK THEIR MAGIC No matter how many times it happens a tale that can take us from our everyday surroundings and drop us into a whole new world will always carry the flag of a winner. Elizabeth Appell's "Lessons From The Gypsy Camp" transports us so quickly we may not even realize we've gone until a sound or a smell jerks us back to reality. In "Lessons from the Gypsy Camp" reality is a typical town of the haves and have nots. A levee is the dividing line and once our young heroine crosses it there's no going back to the way things were. With characters who truly are characters we learn about the folks with baggage and the folks with so much color and life to them they fairly jump off the page. And then there's Lolly, our raggedy headed heroine, who gallops us --Donna Coomer "Between the Lines Reviews<br /><br />"Consequences."10 year old Lolly Candolin knows her Daddy's threat is not empty. Each reminder of the "consequences" is followed by yet another brutal lesson, mercilessly taught by her overbearing alcoholic father. But, ironically, it is because of one of these cruel actions that Lolly comes upon a colorful tribe of kind-hearted gypsies who enchant her with their love of life despite its hardships, something she sees very little of at home. Set in California in 1955, "Lessons from the Gypsy Camp" is the story of a young girls induction into the adult world. After one of her gypsy friends is accused of murder, Lolly has to decide what is more important: friendship and justice, or her father's love. Her inner struggle not only helps her grow and discover herself, she also begins to understand her parents and how they are a product of their own imperfect childhoods. The lessons from the gypsy camp are well worth learning, and are made all the more entertaining by the intensely vivid and endearing characters that teach them. From the bouncing and vivacious Tick and her adoring, unconventional mother, to the simple giant Bob Bob and his lion-taming mentor Sam, Elizabeth Appell has brought to life truly believable characters, a challenge made all the more so by their innate uniqueness. And she could not have chosen an more ideal student and teacher that Lolly Candolin, whose sense of justice binds us to her while her stubborn strength, tempered by innocence, carries us safely through to a deeper understanding of the consequences of actions and the cultural assumptions that direct them. Overall, the book is an easy read with a challenging theme. The writing has a comfortably flow at a good pace. It is the kind of book that makes you want to return to in every spare minute, but friendly enough to put down for a few moments when need be. Reviewer: Nancy Morris --Allbooks Review<br /><br />MAGIC WORDS, CAN WORK THEIR MAGIC No matter how many times it happens a tale that can take us from our everyday surroundings and drop us into a whole new world will always carry the flag of a winner. Elizabeth Appell's "Lessons From The Gypsy Camp" transports us so quickly we may not even realize we've gone until a sound or a smell jerks us back to reality. In "Lessons from the Gypsy Camp" reality is a typical town of the haves and have nots. A levee is the dividing line and once our young heroine crosses it there's no going back to the way things were. With characters who truly are characters we learn about the folks with baggage and the folks with so much color and life to them they fairly jump off the page. And then there's Lolly, our raggedy headed heroine, who gallops us thru this twisty little tale. With her blunt, up front style, she's quickly learning the consequences of her actions whether she's at home, in the principal's office, or in the dusty realm of the gypsy camp. With delectable touches of secrecy, a hint of mystery, and some heart heavy baggage we learn that the gap between both sides of this town is not really that large. And luckily pesky pertinence can come in handy when those who spend a bit too much time under the influence feel that winning at all costs is okay despite the guilt it will bestow on a loved one. Like Sophie's magic utterances, sometimes a little confidence and truthfulness can work their magic on a soul that really does want to do the right thing if he can only figure out how. --Donna Coomer "Between the Lines Reviews
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  # Gypsy Breynton
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
  
  
  This page formatted 2007 Blackmask Online.
  
  
  http://www.blackmask.com
  
  * [PREFACE.](gybr_split_2.html#1_0_2)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER I. WHICH INTRODUCES HER](gybr_split_3.html#1_0_3)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER II. A SPASM OF ORDER](gybr_split_4.html#1_0_4)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER III. MISS MELVILLE'S VISITOR](gybr_split_5.html#1_0_5)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER IV. GYPSY HAS A DREAM](gybr_split_6.html#1_0_6)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER V. WHAT SHE SAW](gybr_split_7.html#1_0_7)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER VI. UP IN THE APPLE TREE](gybr_split_8.html#1_0_8)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER VII. JUST LIKE GYPSY](gybr_split_9.html#1_0_9)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER VIII. PEACE MAYTHORNE](gybr_split_10.html#1_0_10)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER IX. CAMPING OUT](gybr_split_11.html#1_0_11)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER X. THE END OF THE WEEK](gybr_split_12.html#1_0_12)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER XI. GYPSY'S OPINION OF BOSTON](gybr_split_13.html#1_0_13)
  
  
  * [CHAPTER XII. NO PLACE LIKE HOME](gybr_split_14.html#1_0_14)
  
  
  
  
  
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