Betsy in Spite of Herself

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Betsy in Spite of Herself (1946) is the sixth volume in the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. The story covers Betsy and Tacy's sophomore, or tenth grade, year in high school and re-introduces the character of Tib Muller, now living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

During a visit to Tib's family in Milwaukee, Betsy decides to re-invent her image, changing the spelling of her name to Betsye and attempting to adopt characteristics that will make her seem mysterious and alluring. On her return to her hometown of Deep Valley, her new image helps her to attract a boyfriend whose good looks and automobile draw considerable attention in town. However, over time Betsy becomes dissatisfied with having to pretend continually to be a very different kind of person. She also finds that this behavior is not endearing her to friends or family nor helping her achieve her goals as a writer, so she ends the relationship. Despite the disappointment, she decides that the experience has been good for her by helping her to development different aspects of herself.

Novels in the Betsy-Tacy children's series by Maud Hart Lovelace
Betsy-Tacy (1940) • Betsy-Tacy and Tib (1941) • Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill (1942) • Betsy and Tacy Go Downtown (1943) • Heaven to Betsy (1945) • Betsy in Spite of Herself (1946) • Betsy Was a Junior (1947) • Betsy and Joe (1948) • Betsy and the Great World (1952) • Betsy's Wedding (1955)