The Underneath, Kathi Appelt.Simon & Schuster, ISBN 978-1-84738-311-2
This book.
What a book it is.
Not poetry really, but such a story.
Woven around some kittens and a hound.
This story is dark, heavy, gripping. Yet light as a feather. I couldn't put it down - wanted to taste the words and swirl them around on my tongue. How does one author make such words, put them in such a delicious order?
This author.
She is a story spinner.
Some stories are built on strong characters, with strong settings. A plot.
This story has all that, spun out of wonderful words.
It draws you in, like the whirlpools in the dark river in the story.
I was scared. Scared for the kittens and the hound.
Scared of the snake and the gators.
Scared of the darkness of the man.
But there was light, too.
Light of love, and hope.
Always hope. Hope for a happy ending...
This is a story to read aloud, share with children the story this author spins.
If you are a writer, read these words. See how she spun them. Into a story that will tug at your heart strings. A story of love and friendship. A story of deep running hatred. A scary story that is beautiful.
Part folklore, part fairytale. A tale set in the south.
A tale that you will not soon forget.
Oh, such a tale.
Awards for The Underneath:
- Borders "Original New Voices"
- Book Sense "Pick of the Week"
- Starred review, Booklist Magazine
- Top Ten Bestsellers, Indie Bound
- Finalist, The National Book Awards
- John Newbery Honor Book, ALA
- Finalist, Heart of Hawick Children's Book Award
- PEN Center USA Award Children's Literature
- Winner, Writer's League of TX Award for Children's Literature
- New York Times Bestseller
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