The Cellar - Hardcover

Howard, Ellen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689317247 ISBN 13: 9780689317248

Publisher: Atheneum, 1992

Synopsis

Even though her brothers tease her about not being big enough to do any of the important jobs on the farm, Faith proves that she is brave enough to go down into the dark cellar for apples

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews:

Four brief chapters outline a single troublesome day from the point of view of the middle daughter in the midwestern family that has appeared in several books (Edith, Herself, 1987), skillfully capturing the dynamics of Faith's position when she was the youngest, with a motherly older sister (Alena) and two brothers. Fritz, nearest in age, especially likes to tease Faith; in the morning, his taunts have left her at the top of the cellar door, afraid to slide down; later, getting the cows, she's left behind again. But when Father requests apples as a bedtime treat, Faith gets them by herself, without revealing her trepidation, even after Fritz slams the heavy outside cellar door so that she drops the kerosene lamp and is left in the dark to feel her way out. Fritz is genuinely sorry, while Faith's hard day is retrieved by her small triumph of self-reliance. The simple events here are universally childlike, exquisitely honed to reveal each character with a few telling details and enriched with glimpses of 19th-century farm life- -especially the ample supplies in the capacious cellar, as wholesome and sustaining as the family itself. A beautifully crafted story. Ten appealing full-page b&w illustrations, not seen in final form. (Fiction. 4-9) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Publishers Weekly:

Howard ( Sister ; Her Own Song) continues tales based on her family's history in this gentle story of a girl who overcomes her fears. Faith, the youngest of four children, constantly wants to join in what her two older brothers are doing. In the course of one day, she attempts to slide down the cellar doors and round up the cows just like Fritz and William do. But each time she ends up left behind, dirty and tearful. After dinner she surprises everyone, including herself, by volunteering to go into the spooky cellar alone to fetch apples. Despite being in the dark after Fritz plays a trick on her, Faith finds the courage to get back into the house and deliver the apples to Father all by herself. In clear, direct language Howard evokes the simple pleasures of rural life of a century ago, when a fresh apple was a real treat. The large type and liberal use of illustrations make this an attractive package for readers just beginning to tackle chapter books. Ages 7-9.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0689317247
• ISBN 13: 9780689317248
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 52
• Illustrator: Mulvihill Patricia, Oleksa Eve