1. Bibliography
Appelt, Kathi. 2008. The Underneath. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 978-1-4169-5058-5.
Appelt, Kathi. 2008. The Underneath. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 978-1-4169-5058-5.
2. Plot Summary
A calico cat about to have kittens, hears the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and the hound dares to befriend this cat, the creature he is supposed to hate. They are an unlikely pair, about to become an unlikely family. Ranger urges the cat to hide underneath the porch, to raise her kittens there because Gar-Face, the man living inside the house, will surely use them as alligator bait should he find them. But they are safe in the Underneath, as long as they stay there.
A calico cat about to have kittens, hears the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and the hound dares to befriend this cat, the creature he is supposed to hate. They are an unlikely pair, about to become an unlikely family. Ranger urges the cat to hide underneath the porch, to raise her kittens there because Gar-Face, the man living inside the house, will surely use them as alligator bait should he find them. But they are safe in the Underneath, as long as they stay there.
However, kittens are notoriously curious creatures and one kitten's curiosity sets off a chain of events that is astonishing and enormous in its meaning. Kathi Appelt spins a harrowing, yet sweet tale about the power of love, and its opposite - hate. The fragility of happiness and the importance of making good on your promises are constant themes in this rich story.
3. Critical Analysis
The Underneath is about friendship, love, hate, sacrifice, revenge, death, and life in all its shades and colors. It is bittersweet, but beautiful. It's sorrows and joys are pure and heartfelt. "There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road. A small calico cat. Her family, the one she lived with, has left her in this old and forgotten forest, this forest where the rain is soaking into her soft fur."
It is appropriate that Louis Sachar is quoted on the cover – the twin story line format (one ancient, one current) of his outstanding “Holes” is also present in “The Underneath”. For Appelt, it would seem that words aren’t just words, they’re physical matter. Words can be breathed in, coughed out, and they can roll you over. Words, and the emotions they embody, figure prominently in this story. It has a poetic beauty that is both realistic and mystical, and tells a gripping, suspenseful story that is full of heart. Appelt has written several poetry books, a short story collection, and more than a few picture books. Her storytelling is powerful, effective, and magically spellbinding.
There is the possibility that this story might be a bit much for children or even young adults. The subject matter and the manner in which it is presented can bring out raw emotions even in adult readers. The sophisticated style of its descriptions will require a sophisticated reader to appreciate them. This is probably best for middle school readers, or a rare mature fifth grader.
The Underneath is about friendship, love, hate, sacrifice, revenge, death, and life in all its shades and colors. It is bittersweet, but beautiful. It's sorrows and joys are pure and heartfelt. "There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road. A small calico cat. Her family, the one she lived with, has left her in this old and forgotten forest, this forest where the rain is soaking into her soft fur."
It is appropriate that Louis Sachar is quoted on the cover – the twin story line format (one ancient, one current) of his outstanding “Holes” is also present in “The Underneath”. For Appelt, it would seem that words aren’t just words, they’re physical matter. Words can be breathed in, coughed out, and they can roll you over. Words, and the emotions they embody, figure prominently in this story. It has a poetic beauty that is both realistic and mystical, and tells a gripping, suspenseful story that is full of heart. Appelt has written several poetry books, a short story collection, and more than a few picture books. Her storytelling is powerful, effective, and magically spellbinding.
There is the possibility that this story might be a bit much for children or even young adults. The subject matter and the manner in which it is presented can bring out raw emotions even in adult readers. The sophisticated style of its descriptions will require a sophisticated reader to appreciate them. This is probably best for middle school readers, or a rare mature fifth grader.
4. Review Excerpts
2009 Newberry Medal Honor
2009 National Book Award Finalist
2008 Booklist starred: "most children will be pulled forward by the vulnerable pets’ survival adventure and by Small’s occasional, down-to-earth drawings, created with fluid lines that are a perfect match for the book’s saturated setting and Appelt’s ebbing, flowing lyricism."
2009 Horn Book: " this fine book is most of all distinguished by the originality of the story and the fresh beauty of its author's voice -- a natural for reading aloud."
5. Connections2009 Newberry Medal Honor
2009 National Book Award Finalist
2008 Booklist starred: "most children will be pulled forward by the vulnerable pets’ survival adventure and by Small’s occasional, down-to-earth drawings, created with fluid lines that are a perfect match for the book’s saturated setting and Appelt’s ebbing, flowing lyricism."
2009 Horn Book: " this fine book is most of all distinguished by the originality of the story and the fresh beauty of its author's voice -- a natural for reading aloud."
*Read other books by Kathi Appelt:
978-0-8050-7362-1 My Father's Summers - A Daughter's Memoir
978-0-8050-6978-5 Poems from Homeroom: A Writer's Place to Start
978-0-0602-9135-8 Down Cut Shin Creek
978-0-1520-5127-3 Kissing Tennessee
*Science connection: study bayous and discuss the features of that biome.
*Writing connection: Allow students to write a passage based on a prompt such as: A great friendship is important because....
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