Six Degrees of Separation - from Redhead By the Side of the Road to The Face on the Milk Carton

It’s time for #6degrees, inspired by Kate at Books Are My Favourite and Best. We all start at the same place as other readers, add six books, and see where you end up.   This month’s starting point is Redhead By the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler.  I have read one or two of Tyler’s books but not this one; however, it did start me thinking about redheaded protagonists.  Anne Shirley may be the most famous but I realized I had read about many others . . .

First Degree

To the Tiger in the Zoo, Madeline just said "Pooh, Pooh!"

I am sure the first redheaded heroine I ever met was Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans (1939).  A kind friend of my parents gave me the first book one Christmas and I recall tearing the wrapping to see what it was several days early. Miss Clavel’s turning on the light and saying, "Something is not right," became a catchphrase in my family.

Second Degree

Chronologically, my next redheaded protagonist was Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren (1945), which I found in my elementary school library.  Pippi lives alone with her horse and a suitcase of gold coins, and her insouciance was very appealing to this reader. 

Third Degree

Alanna of Trebond has Pippi’s determination but a lot more subtlety, which she needs to disguise herself as a boy so she can train to be a knight while her twin Thom studies magic.  Alanna, the First Adventure by Tamora Pierce (1983) is the first of a four book series meant for middle-graders or early teens.

Fourth Degree

How about a few redheaded men?   There is Ron Weasley in Harry Potter (1997), although he seems to exist more as a foil to Harry and Hermione than to achieve any real purpose.   Because the first movie came out so soon after the book, it is impossible to have any image of Ron other than actor Rupert Grint.

Fifth Degree

If you want a sexy redheaded hero, the obvious one is Jamie Fraser. People usually love Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (1991) or have no interest in reading it at all. They might be surprised if they tried it, as I was. On my last day at Bantam Doubleday Dell in 1991, without knowing anything about them, I helped myself to two advanced reading copies from a pile in the hallway – Outlander and The Firm little did I know that two amazingly enduring franchises were being launched. I love the first three books and enjoyed meeting Diana Gabaldon at a conference in Baton Rouge years ago. I am not alone in thinking the later books need more rigorous editing but self-willed bestselling authors don’t always like revisions! I also enjoyed the first season of the Starz series and plan to watch more. I think it was very well cast but my friend Danni thinks a thin model was the wrong choice for Claire.

Sixth Degree

The Face on the Milk Carton (1990) was Caroline Cooney’s breakout book and a movie in 1995. For those who haven't read it, the heroine recognizes herself on a milk carton and wonders if she could possibly have been kidnapped as a child. During my first publishing job, I was trying to ingratiate myself with the Editorial Director in Bantam’s children’s division.  Sadly, she didn’t really have time for me but did me a favor by giving me a pre-pub copy of the book, which I instantly loved.  My friend Julie and I ran into Ms. Cooney at ALA one year and Julie begged her to write more in this series, which she eventually did, although I think the first two are the best.  I also really like The Party’s Over, which reminds me of Emily of Deep Valley.  

See how I linked an author known for her Baltimore settings to Paris, Sweden, the fantasy kingdom of Tortall, Harry Potter-land, Scotland and, finally, to suburban Connecticut!  Next month (March 6, 2021), we’ll start with a book called Phosphorescence by Julia Baird, which has not yet been published in the US.  Please share your link if you did #6Degrees too or join in next month!