It Had to Ne You

by Elizabeth Byrd

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670403067
• ISBN13: 9780670403066
• Release Date: September 1982
• Publisher: Viking Children's Books
• Length: 159 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

"It Had to be You," An Amazing Novel

"It Had to be You" by Elizabeth Byrd has been a overall balanced book which has constantly kept me drawn. This book is about a girl named Kitty Craig, whose personality is changed by the Depression in the 1920's. Kitty used to be a normal, average, girl who went to Wilson High in New York City and worried about normal everyday teenage problems: boys, pimples, clothes. The depression takes a toll on her family and causes an epiphany on Kitty, who realizes she must stop moping over Johnny Aiken and help out her community. Kitty becomes devoted to Household Arts in her school and starts creating many new food inventions that are cheap and tasty, and she starts aiding her community by gathering food for the poor. Her food creations and generosity save many people from famine. I really admire the way Byrd has tied conflicts of all sorts into one amazing book. Not only does Kitty deal with school problems, she also constantly deal with the growing Depression. I also really admire and love the way Byrd shoes Kitty's change in character, creating an image of maturity. Overall, this book is an astounding volume in which character maturity, response to the Depression, and everyday problems are displayed. "It Had to be You" demonstrates how people shape times and the times shape people back. When the times of Depression had arrived, they brought an effect on and shaped Kitty, her family, and all of America. The depression changes Kitty into a mature girl who instead of worrying about boys starts worrying about her family and her famished city. The Depression shapes Kitty into a character of generosity and kindness. The times shape her into someone who not only preaches but takes action. She embarks on a journey of food inventions, by creating cheap, new, and tasty food. This now amazing girl also takes charge of donations so that the extreme victims of the Depression won't starve. The Depression truly does shape Kitty into someone both new and astounding. "Do you know Kitty is thinking ahead? She never used to" (Byrd, 143). Kitty also shapes the times back. When she creates new food inventions and takes charge of encouraging people to donate, Kitty benefits New York City. She brings about a time of tolerance where people begin to learn how to tolerate the Depression because they can rely on people like Kitty to ensure their safety. In conclusion, Kitty has demonstrated how times shape people and people shape them back.