Betsy Bird

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Betsy Bird

Goodreads Author


Born
in Kalamazoo, MI, The United States
Website

Genre

Member Since
July 2007


Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, undisputed center of the universe, Betsy Bird (nee Elizabeth Ramsey) grew up and promptly left Michigan the moment her legs could propel her southward. She didn't get far. Obtaining a B.A. at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana (home of recorded jazz and don't let anyone tell you otherwise) she set her sights on Portland, Oregon. When that didn't pan out it was Minneapolis, Minnesota. Then New York, New York. In the midst of all this she somehow managed to get a library degree and a job at New York Public Library, eventually becoming their Youth Media Specialist (a.k.a. the person who bought all the kids' books for Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx). She created the children's literary blog A Fuse #8 Prod ...more

No Pain, No Shame, No Fear of Death: ND Stevenson Discusses the Incalculably Fantastic Scarlet Morning

I’m going to make a confession to you. While it may appear that when I interview middle grade authors about their latest releases I’ve read their titles cover-to-cover, the sad and sorry fact is that some of the time I’m still halfway or three-quarters through their books by the time the interview runs. Oh, I fake it for my Q&As, but deep down I’m squirming with guilt. Now here’s the odd part:

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Published on September 10, 2025 21:00
Average rating: 3.85 · 3,996 ratings · 865 reviews · 11 distinct worksSimilar authors
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Betsy’s Recent Updates

Betsy Bird wrote a new blog post

No Pain, No Shame, No Fear of Death: ND Stevenson Discusses the Incalculably Fantastic Scarlet Morning



I’m going to make a confession to you. While it may appear that when I interview middle grade authors about their latest releases I’ve read their tit Read more of this blog post »
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Outside by Jennifer L Holm
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Scarlet Morning by N.D. Stevenson
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Invisible by David Soren
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The Magician Next Door by Rachel Chivers Khoo
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The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi
The Strongest Heart
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The Experiment by Rebecca Stead
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Betsy is currently reading
Scarlet Morning by N.D. Stevenson
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The Experiment by Rebecca Stead
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A Method for Magic and Misfortune by Craig Kofi Farmer
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More of Betsy's books…
Quotes by Betsy Bird  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“the sound of its own fart, is almost”
Betsy Bird, Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

“Matthew and Logan”
Betsy Bird, Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever.

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Comments (showing 1-15)    post a comment »
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message 15: by Valerie

Valerie Betsy, thanks for sharing your friendship.

Val
www.valeriemarchini.blogspot.com


Christine Hatfield thanks for being my friend


message 13: by Steven

Steven Stickler Thanks for the friendship. Love your reviews!


message 12: by Betsy

Betsy Unfortunately it's a little late for Halloween reviews now. Do you still want to send it to me? Pretty much at this point I wouldn't be able to review it, though I could always suggest it to NYPL for their collection.

Let me know what you prefer,

Elizabeth


message 11: by Stella

Stella Sure! We hope to sell copies before and after Halloween. I sent you a message but I'm not sure you received it. Would you like me to send you a copy? If so, could you give me an address? Sorry to sound a little dense. Since I've never asked anybody to review a book before, I'm not sure exactly what I do.

Stella

Elizabeth wrote: "Well, my general rule is that I review things originally published in the current year for kids between 0-12. So your book would certainly count. However, I'm not sure at this point if I could get ..."


message 10: by Betsy

Betsy Well, my general rule is that I review things originally published in the current year for kids between 0-12. So your book would certainly count. However, I'm not sure at this point if I could get it in, in time for Halloween. If you're still interested, though, let me know.


Stella Just wondered if you'd be interested in reviewing our book, An Eyeball In My Garden? It's an anthology of Halloween poems by 14 members of The Poets' Garage. I realize you probably already have enough to review so if you can't that's okay.

Stella Michel


message 8: by Betsy

Betsy Oh! That usually means I've reviewed it for Kirkus or TimeOut Kids New York or The New York Times or MultiCultural Review. You can always ask me where a particular review is and I'll let you know.


message 7: by Joel

Joel Simon Hi. When one of the books you post says that it has been professionally reviewed, how do we find the text of the review?


Victoria Simcox Hi Elizabeth, thanks for friending me. Have a wonderful holiday season. Victoria Simcox ") www.themagicwarble.com


message 5: by Betsy

Betsy Mighty kind of you to say, Daniel. I'm inclined in that direction, but I've a non-fiction library-related title to finish before I can delve completely into the fiction I love. Thanks for the compliment!


Daniel
I've read the book reviews of over 1,500 people here at goodreads and your book reviews, Elizabeth, of children's books, are the most comprehensive that I have seen so far. You must write some books Elizabeth.


message 3: by Betsy

Betsy Yay, books! I'm much worse in person too. Poor up-and-coming children's picture book author Leeza Hernandez spent something like $175 when I visited a bookstore with her. I'm terrible that way. Thanks for taking my recommendations to heart.


message 2: by Betsy (last edited Aug 25, 2016 12:06PM)

Betsy Ha! Mine is named Basil and he's far more popular with the kids in my library than I am. Best damn puppet they make as far as I'm concerned.


message 1: by Sarah (last edited Aug 25, 2016 12:06PM)

Sarah I have that same mouse puppet! I named mine Franklin. ;)


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