Minnow on the Say (novel) facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Philippa Pearce |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Edward Ardizzone |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Novel |
| Published | 1955 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| ISBN | 0-486-29256-8 |
| OCLC | 71126926 |
| 823.8 | |
| LC Class | PR4172 .W7 2007 |
Minnow on the Say is an exciting children's novel. It was written by Philippa Pearce and first came out in 1955. The story takes place in a setting much like the area where the author grew up. This includes an old mill near the city of Cambridge in England.
When the book was released in the United States in 1958, it had a different title. It was called The Minnow Leads to Treasure. This popular book has also been turned into a television drama two times.
About the Book
Minnow on the Say is a classic adventure story. It invites young readers to join a thrilling treasure hunt. The book is known for its vivid descriptions of the English countryside.
What's the Story?
The novel is set during a summer in the 1930s. Two boys go on an adventure using a canoe. They are searching for a lost treasure. This treasure was supposedly hidden in the river a long time ago. It disappeared around the time of the Spanish Armada. The boys believe a short poem holds a secret clue. This clue will help them find where the treasure is hidden.
Where Did the Idea Come From?
The author, Philippa Pearce, grew up in an old mill house. This house was in a village called Great Shelford. In 1951, Pearce spent a lot of time in a hospital. She was recovering from an illness called tuberculosis.
During her recovery, she thought about a canoe trip she had taken years before. These memories became the main idea for her very first book. She imagined every detail of that trip. The river ran right beside her childhood home. This special memory helped her create Minnow on the Say. The book was a runner-up for the Carnegie Medal.
The places in the book were inspired by real locations. Great and Little Shelford became Great and Little Barley in the story. The city of Cambridge became Castleford, but without its university. The real River Cam was changed into the River Say in the book.
TV Shows and More!
The story of Minnow on the Say has been adapted for television. A Canadian TV show based on the book aired in 1960. It was also read aloud on the UK children's program Jackanory in 1966. Later, the BBC created a TV series based on the novel. This series was called Treasure over the Water and aired in 1972.
