Miss Rumphius

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney received the American Book Award in the year of publication and tells the story of Alice Rumphius, who wants to travel to far away places, settle down to live by the sea, and do something to make the world more beautiful — just like her grandfather taught her. Miss Rumphius travels the world seeing islands, mountains, and deserts then comes home to live in a house by the sea. She still wants to do something to make the world more beautiful but doesn't quite know what. Then one day, her garden full of beautiful blue and purple and rose-colored lupines give her a wonderful idea! Soon Miss Rumphius is planting fields of lupines all along the coast. When the flowers bloom in the spring, Miss Rumphius knows she knows she has fulfilled her wish and made the world just a little bit more beautiful.