A Grass Rope facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | William Mayne |
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| Illustrator | Lynton Lamb |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Published | 1957 (Oxford University Press) |
| Pages | 166 pp (first edition) |
| ISBN | 0-19-271049-4 (unknown edition) |
| OCLC | 7567444 |
| LC Class | PZ8.M457 Gr |
A Grass Rope is an exciting children's book written by William Mayne. It was first published in 1957. This book is special because it won the Carnegie Medal, which is a big award for the best children's book by a British author that year.
The story takes place in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in England. It's a simple but clever tale that mixes old legends with everyday farm life. The book tells the story of a hunt for a lost treasure. It also describes what daily life is like on a farm and shows off the local scenery.
Contents
Discovering the Story's Secret
When Adam Forrest comes to paint the Unicorn Inn, he wants to solve an old mystery. This mystery involves two families, the Dysons and the Owlands. Long ago, people say, an innkeeper named Dyson wanted to marry Gertrude Owland. She was the daughter of a knight who lived across the ridge.
The Old Legend of the Unicorn
The knight didn't want them to marry. He trained a group of hunting dogs and a fierce unicorn to guard his daughter. Dyson supposedly used magic to trick these animals. He led them into a hidden land under the hill, a place believed to be home to fairies. Then, he ran away with Gertrude.
However, Dyson didn't know that all the Owland family's money was hidden in the animals' collars. Later, the fairies were said to have drowned him when he tried to get the treasure back. Local stories say you can still hear the hounds hunting under the hill sometimes.
Mary's Belief and Adam's Clues
Mary Owland and her older sister Nan live at Lew Farm. This farm is near where the old Owland house used to be. Mary is young and believes in the fairies and that the animals are still alive. Nan, her older sister, doesn't believe any of it.
Adam thinks there's a simple, logical explanation for the old story. He also believes there might be a treasure to find. While painting the inn sign, he discovers an old hunting horn hidden inside the frame. He guesses that Dyson used this horn to call the dogs. He thinks Dyson led them towards a steep black cliff called Yowncorn Yat. This name means "Unicorn Gate" in the local language. The cliff would have made a strong echo.
The Night Adventure and the Discovery
One night, Mary secretly goes to Yowncorn Yat. She crawls through a tunnel under the hill. She believes this tunnel leads to the fairy land. Inside, she catches one of the "hounds," which turns out to be a fox. Without realizing it, she also finds some silver treasure and a skull with a horn at the bottom of an old mine shaft.
The ending of the book is a bit mysterious. Adam is sure he has figured out everything logically. But he can't explain the horned skull. It seems like it could only have belonged to a unicorn.
Who Are the Characters?
The book features a mix of children and adults, plus some animals.
Children in the Story
- Mary Owland: A young girl who lives at Lew Farm. She believes in the old legends.
- Nan Owland: Mary's older sister. She is starting grammar school and is more practical.
- Adam Forrest: The Head Boy at Thornton Grammar School. He is Peter Dyson's cousin and tries to solve the mystery.
- Peter Dyson: Mildred's son and Mary's classmate.
Adults in the Story
- Mr Owland (Daddy): The farmer at Lew Farm.
- Mrs Owland (Mother): Mary and Nan's mother.
- Charley: A farmhand who works at Lew Farm.
- Mildred Dyson: She runs the Unicorn Inn in Vendale.
Animals in the Story
- Dump: The house dog at Lew Farm.
- Hewlin: The dog at the Unicorn Inn.
- Frag: A toad.
- A vixen and her cubs: These foxes play a role in the mystery.
Why This Book is Special
A Grass Rope won the Carnegie Medal in 1957, which is a big deal in children's literature. It was one of William Mayne's earlier books. It shares some cool features with his other stories from that time.
Key Features of the Book
- Unique Treasure Hunt: It's not a typical treasure hunt, making it more interesting.
- Problem Solving: The story has a mystery that needs to be solved.
- Real Characters: There are no clear "heroes" or "villains." You learn about the characters slowly through what they say.
- Strong Setting: The book really makes you feel like you are in the North Yorkshire Dales. Mayne's stories often feel like they grow right out of their locations.
The book also uses real North Yorkshire dialect. The meaning of these words is usually clear from the story, or they are quietly explained. The ending of the novel brings together old legends and modern facts, and a bit of magic with science, in a satisfying way.
