Calico Bush (novel) facts for kids
Calico Bush original cover by Allen Lewis
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| Author | Rachel Field |
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| Illustrator | Allen Lewis |
| Genre | Children's Historical Fiction |
| Publisher | Simon and Schuster |
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Publication date
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1931 |
| Pages | 225 |
| ISBN | 9780689822858 |
Calico Bush is a children's historical novel written by Rachel Field. She was an award-winning author, and this book is sometimes called her best work. It was first published in 1931 and earned a special award called a Newbery Honor. This award recognizes books for children that are very well written.
Contents
What is Calico Bush About?
Calico Bush tells the story of a brave young girl named Marguerite. She is a French orphan who travels to the Maine coast in the pioneer era. This was a time when settlers were moving into new areas. Marguerite becomes an indentured servant on a farm. This means she agrees to work for a family for a set time, usually to pay for her journey or training. The book follows her adventures and challenges in this new, wild land.
The Story Behind the Book
Where Did the Idea Come From?
Rachel Field spent her summers in the 1920s on Sutton Island in Maine. This beautiful area inspired her writing. The idea for Calico Bush likely came from a real story. It was about a woman named Marguerite La Croix. She and her husband, John Stanley, were among the first people to live permanently on Little Cranberry Island. They moved there after 1767 with their many children. Even today, you can still find the old hearthstones (where their fireplace was) in the field. They are buried nearby on Maypole Point.
How History Inspired the Novel
Rachel Field did not try to tell Marguerite La Croix's exact life story. Instead, she used it as a starting point for her own fictional tale. She took inspiration from the challenges and experiences of early settlers in Maine. This helped her create a vivid and believable world for her character, Marguerite.
What Does "Calico Bush" Mean?
The name "Calico Bush" has two meanings in the book.
- First, it is another name for a plant called Mountain Laurel. This plant has beautiful flowers and grows naturally in the eastern United States, including Maine.
- Second, "Calico Bush" is also the title of an old song or ballad mentioned in the story. This adds to the historical feel of the novel.
