BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Appelt, Kathi. (2008). THE UNDERNEATH. Dwgs. By David Small. New York, NY: Anthenum Books an imprint of Simon and Schuster. ISBN: 9781416950585
PLOT SUMMARY:
This is the story of the Alligator King, and his friend Grandmother Moccasin; Hawk Man and Night Song and their daughter; Gar Face and Ranger, and a single, abandoned calico cat’s lives and how they became intertwined together. Alligator King has lived one thousand years and he is the largest that Gar Face has seen; he has become obsessed with catching him. Grandmother Moccasin has lain trapped in the jar that Night Song had made for one thousand years, waiting, and hating and plotting. Calico cat was abandoned on the side of the road by her family. Alone and scared, she hears a lonely sad song in the air, instead of feeling scared, she follows the sound, realizing that she too feels like that and she comes upon Ranger, an old hound dog who is chained to an old rickety shack. Quickly, they become best of friends, and Ranger realizes that he is happy for the first time he can remember and tells her that she must stay in the “underneath.” In the “underneath” she will be safe, and he will be happy. Soon they are joined by two others, for Calico cat, becomes Momma cat.
Night Song sang the most beautiful songs to all in the old forest in the night time as she lay next to Grandmother Moccasin on the rock, glistening in the moonlight. When the hawk heard her, he became obsessed and went to her. Night Song became bored with their solitary life and snuck off their rock while she slept. Hawk shed his feathered form; Night Song shed her scaly form and was even more beautiful in her human form. They fell in love, and the forest knew love and gave them the protection to get away, when Grandmother Moccasin came looking. Hawk Man and Night Song were welcomed amongst the Caddo people, who were friendly and soon Night Song bore a beautiful daughter. All was well.
Gar Face was mean, and Ranger knew that if he knew the cats were here, he would use them for alligator bait. As long as they would stay hidden underneath the old shack, they would be safe and he would be happy with his little family for the first time in many years. All was well, until Puck had to sneak out into the sunlight just in time to be plucked up by Gar Face. All that she heard was his cry and she ran out to get him only to be plucked up too.
Kathi Appelt has written this beautiful story full of sadness, anger and plotting. Her words flow off the page as a song flows off of the tongue of a singer.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This story is beautiful to the eye, while aching to the heart. The heart skips a beat as the eyes take in the tale of tragedy and loss, and aches for those who are left behind. Without a thought, tears sneak out of the eyes and soon the pages are flowing as the river in the story. Kathi Appelt has crafted out a tale of timeless love, yet the ache of loss also intertwined within her pages. As the eyes read across the pages, one is reminded of a haunting, yet moving tale that will stand the test of time. The familiarity of the location adds a feel of reality, and the knowing of the trees set a surreal scene and the addition of loss creates an ache deep within the heart. The fluidity of the words across the pages has captured the eye, and the quest to keep on reading to find out what happens keeps the reader in a suspended state as they go through each page until the quest is complete and the end has been reached.
REVIEWS/EXCERPTS:
"A mysterious and magical story; poetic yet loaded with suspense."
-LOUIS SACHAR, Newbery Medal-winning author of Holes
-LOUIS SACHAR, Newbery Medal-winning author of Holes
"The Underneath is as enchanting as a hummingbird, as magical as the clouds."
-CYNTHIA KADOHATA, Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira
-CYNTHIA KADOHATA, Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira
"Rarely do I come across a book that makes me catch my breath, that reminds me why I want to be a writer: to make of life something beautiful, something enduring. The Underneath is a book of ancient themes-love and loss and betrayal and redemption-woven together in language both timeless and spellbinding. A Classic."
-ALLISON McGHEE, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Someday
-ALLISON McGHEE, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Someday
Awards:
- National Book Award Finalist ,
- ALA Newbery Medal ,
- ALA Newbery Honor Book
- ALA Notable Children's Book Nominee
- ALA Notable Children's Books
- CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
- Charlie May Simon Book Award ML (AR)
- NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
- PEN USA Literary Award for Children's Literature
- Rodda Book Award Nominee
- Virginia Readers’ Choice Award Master List
CONNECTIONS:
At the end of the book is a reader’s circle guide to assist in group discussion with questions to ponder, and suggestions for extension activities.
Post a Comment