Synopsis
Two cousins exclude a poor, disheveled neighbor girl from their play and discover that their actions have unexpected and frightening consequences, in an exploration of the loneliness and pain of peer rejection.
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Reviews
Grade 2-4-Cousins Alice Ann and Megan love to play in the playhouse on their grandmother's property during their two-week summer visit. Concerned that "robbers in the woods" might steal their possessions, the girls persuade Gran to install a lock on the door. But then, with the casual cruelty exhibited by many children, they use the lock to exclude big, clumsy Cissie, a neighboring child, from their activities. After several mean incidents, Cissie stops trying. At the end of their visit, the cousins attempt to say good-bye to her and are similarly snubbed. They immediately realize the error of their behavior and vow to play with her next summer. One suspects that the lesson will be remembered only as long as it takes to get back home. In spite of the facile resolution, the subject matter, occasional black-and-white illustrations, and brevity of the story will appeal to in-between readers.
Jeanette Larson, Texas State Library, Austin
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Each summer Megan and Alice spend two weeks at Gran's, where a playhouse built for their mothers is now the cousins' special domain. This year, Alice decides it needs a lock and key. It's a good thing that Gran agrees, because Cissie has just moved into the dilapidated house down the road. Though Gran wants the girls to include Cissie, they slyly resist, literally leaving her outside looking in. Only in the last chapter do the cousins begin to empathize with Cissie, who has meanwhile tried to re-create their lovely playhouse on her own ramshackle porch, and who doesn't even lift her head to acknowledge their good-byes. This theme has been treated before, notably in Estes' The Hundred Dresses; York's denouement comes so late that the cousins' shamed resolve to leave the door unlocked next summer isn't quite enough to allay Cissie's sadness--or the reader's. Very like real life. (Fiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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The Key to the Playhouse
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Library Binding. Condition: Fair. Speirs, John (illustrator). The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way. Seller Inventory # 059046258X-7-1
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Key to the Playhouse
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
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Condition: Very Good. Speirs, John (illustrator). Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 55966486-6