Kitty and Mr. Kipling: Neighbors in Vermont. This item is unavailable.Kitty and Mr. Kipling: Neighbors in Vermont

After the world-famous author, Rudyard Kipling, and his wife move into the house next to their farm in rural Vermont, young Kitty is excited by her new and interesting creative neighbor from whom she learns a lot about the world, yet when the community turns on their new resident, Kitty isn't so quick to join the crowd despite the things that are being said.

Grade 3-5–This fictionalized tale of a young Vermonter who spends a magical year getting to know the famous author combines a number of lovely elements. Kitty is the daughter of pragmatic New Englanders. Their small town is thrown into chaos when the Kipling family moves in, partly because Mrs. Kipling's brother, Beatty Balestier, lives there. Kipling is very kind to young Kitty, involving her in his family life and telling her stories from his work in progress–The Jungle Book. As the seasons pass, the girl's sense of happiness fades as the relationship between the hot-tempered and profligate Balestier and the Kiplings deteriorates. Eventually, charges are filed when Balestier threatens to kill Mr. Kipling, and Kitty knows that it is only a matter of time before her friend returns to England. Erik Blegvad's soft drawings give readers a good sense of time and place. Kitty's personal growth allows her to accept that with life comes some pain, and that not everyone is perfect. An afterword gives biographical information about the Kiplings. While the book accurately depicts their time spent in Vermont, Kitty and her family are fictional creations. However, much of Kipling's dialogue is taken from written accounts of the time. This is a fast read, and a good recommendation for those looking for historical fiction for younger readers.–Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY
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