Beloved Benjamin

This book blends 2 completely different genres into a seamless whole. The problems faced by Lucinda are heartbreaking and unfortunately not unique. However, her solution - to hide out in the cemetery - is unique, and so too is her interaction with the iron statue of "Beloved Benjamin." The ending is sad, but hopeful and satisfying. This adventure will stay with you.

I read this book as a youth and have been looking for a copy to share with my child. It is a great story... of all the books I read as a child this is one of the few that has stuck with me for more than 20 years! I recommend it!

I read this book mulitple times when I was in middle school, back in the early 80's. I still rememebered the book and writer by name 24 years later. Just last night, the title of the booked leaped into my brain and I felt compelled to search and find copies for my own personal library; and to read to my children.

I read the book when I was in the 5th grade. Just like the other reviewer stated, I too remembered it for the next 20 years. I decided to pick up a copy and reread it about 3 years ago and was so happy to find it in the library of an elementary school I was doing a residency at. I feel any child would certainly enjoy the book and many would find a personal connection with the little girl who is the main character as she is going through some family problems that many children experience. I highly recommend this book to adults as well as children.

It's been at least years and years since I read this as a kid, but I still remember being enthralled. There's a troubled girl, and an abondonned house in a cemetery, and a statue of a long dead child (Beloved Benjamin) that somehow managed to pick up a radio signal from an alien ship(planet?). Sounds a little implausible now, but at the time it was magical, and I imagine well written since I remember it after all this time...