Meet Maybeth: A Confederate Girl by D.W. Goates is a compelling story of life in the Deep South at the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction. Mary Eunice Elisabeth (Maybeth) Stancil is just ten years old and the daughter of a Florida plantation owner. The war has been lost and those in the South are just beginning to experience the difficulties of plantation life without their black slaves. They are facing the rapaciousness and ruthlessness of some Northern businessmen who have come down south, after the conflict, to reap whatever benefits they can from the dispirited and defeated Southerners. When the property belonging to Maybeth’s best friend Audrey’s family is seized by the bank to sell to a wealthy banker from the North, Audrey’s family is spread to the winds. Audrey will stay at Maybeth’s house for now and the two will attend an exclusive Southerners' only boarding school in Monticello. Before then, a furtive trip to Audrey’s old house to recover her hidden diary allows the pair to meet Emily, the daughter of the usurper banker. A strange, tentative, and telling friendship ensues between Maybeth and Emily who will try to get to the bottom of what happened to Audrey’s parents’ property.

Meet Maybeth is a simple and sweet tale targeted at the middle-school market; however, there is much wisdom and moral lessons to be gained from this gentle story for readers of all ages. Author D.W. Goates has created a delightfully sparkling character in the effervescent, resourceful Maybeth. I particularly enjoyed the idea of looking at the period of Reconstruction through the eyes of an innocent child. Although the Stancils were anything but typical Southerners and treated their now-freed slaves with dignity and respect, the underlying racism inherent in slavery was still at play for the adults. This could certainly not be said for Maybeth. She did not see color in that respect and treated her playmates, be they black or white, as well as the now-freed slaves around the plantation with politeness, kindness, and dignity. This story is more than a simple friendship between two girls of vastly disparate backgrounds; it is also a social history of the Floridian community in those Reconstruction years. When we think of the South at that time, we probably think of immensely wealthy and powerful plantation owners who used slavery as a way to increase their position both economically and politically. The Florida location of the story, however, shows plantation owners more akin to small landholding farmers for whom success and prosperity were always on a knife edge; dependent upon weather, disease, markets, and the forbearance of local bankers to support their continued existence. These families were more middle-class than any powerful elite, something the Northern carpetbaggers would take advantage of as they flowed south following the war. This is a truly gentle, sweet book with an engaging and resourceful main character. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Highly recommended.

Ten-year-old Eunice Mary Elisabeth Stancil prefers her friends to call her Maybeth. After the Civil War, her family tries to survive Reconstruction on Verbena Plantation, Florida. A Yankee named Solomon Bartlett seizes La Altura, a neighboring plantation, from its rightful owners. Maybeth's best friend, Audrey, needs to get back her diary, which she hid in her former room. She asks Maybeth to accompany her to La Altura. Maybeth and Audrey meet Emily Bartlett, Solomon's lonely eleven-year-old daughter, who is in a wheelchair. There are rumors that the Union Bank, where Solomon is a major shareholder, offers the freedmen unjust terms. Will Maybeth gain enough proof to persuade Emily that it's true? Meet Maybeth by D.W. Goates is a compelling and educational read for children and adult fans of historical and Southern fiction, drama, adventure, and social issues books.

Today, different points of view polarize societies not only in the United States but around the world. That's why we need books like Meet Maybeth by D.W. Goates. The author vividly describes the post-Civil War South during Reconstruction, a challenging time for former Confederates. The Southern families reject the Yankees, considering them enemies. But when two young girls meet, hope for an unexpected friendship emerges. Maybeth is stubborn, curious, and always ready for a risky adventure. Emily is delicate and very well-mannered. She desperately needs a friend, and Maybeth has a heart big enough to understand her. There is also Emily's strict aunt, Phillipa. She is a no-nonsense woman of principle who moved from Boston to Florida to care for her niece. The development of these complex characters drives the narration. Goates offers a story with thrilling twists and turns and an extraordinary ending. This remarkable novella reminds us that truth and justice stand above our opinions, feelings, and differences.

Meet Maybeth: A Confederate Girl by D W Goates is the story of 10-year-old Maybeth Stancil, a mischievous and outspoken girl living on a plantation in Florida after the Civil War. She longs for adventure but is limited by the resources at hand. Maybeth and her friends Audrey, Davis, Conor, Little Jack, her younger brother Fred, and their family dog, Jasper, find their adventures exploring the outdoors and making the most of what is available to them. Their little world is further shaken when Maybeth’s best friend Audrey’s family loses their home to a Northern opportunistic banker, who has moved south after the war, along with his chair-bound daughter Emily, and widowed sister. As tensions rise between the locals and the newcomers, Maybeth is stuck between wanting to help Audrey and wanting to explore the friendship offered by Emily. Will Maybeth be able to prove her courage in a time of change and learn the importance of standing up for what is right?

Meet Maybeth: A Confederate Girl by D W Goates is a coming-of-age story that reminded me of parts of my favorite classics like Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn and Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. I felt that while Maybeth shared the adventurous spirit of Anne Shirley and the rule-bending tendencies of Tom Sawyer, her coming-of-age story has a unique voice, with a more serious and historically specific setting. The primary focus is on Maybeth’s thoughts and feelings, with occasional input from other characters to provide a clear understanding of the storyline. The dialogues have a folksy style, which reflects the time and the Southern setting. With moments of action in each chapter, the story unfolds at a steady pace as Maybeth explores, gets into trouble, and tries to find a way to fight for what she believes in. Maybeth is a relatable character who is both fun-loving and fiercely loyal. You also see her sense of empathy as she tries to teach Little Jack and befriend Emily. I found Meet Maybeth to be a captivating story, offering a glimpse into a historical period through the eyes of a young girl.

Meet Maybeth: A Confederate Girl by D.W. Goates centers around Eunice Mary Elisabeth Stancil, affectionately known as Maybeth, a ten-year-old girl navigating life on her family's rural plantation during the tumultuous Reconstruction era. Maybeth is a charming and resilient protagonist whose adventurous spirit shines through the pages. Confined to her plantation with limited resources due to the war, she finds joy and excitement outdoors, spending her days fishing, swimming, and exploring the woods with her friends. The plot takes a turn when Maybeth's best friend's family loses their home to a carpetbagger, introducing a new layer of conflict and complexity.

Meet Maybeth by D.W. Goates is a captivating historical coming-of-age novella that transports readers to the post-Civil War South. The portrayal of Maybeth's everyday life offers a vivid glimpse into Southern childhood's challenges and simple pleasures during this period. The arrival of the carpetbagger's family, including a sickly young daughter, forces Maybeth to confront the harsh realities of her changing world and the impact of the Reconstruction on her community. D.W. Goates skillfully captures the essence of the time with authentic dialogue and rich descriptions, immersing readers in the historical setting. The pace is well-suited for its middle-grade audience, balancing moments of tension with light-hearted adventures and heartfelt friendships. Meet Maybeth is more than a historical tale; it offers a fresh perspective on a young girl's life in the post-Civil War South, adding to the diverse tapestry of American stories. It's a delightful read for anyone interested in historical fiction and stories of youthful resilience in challenging times.