Miracles on Maple Hill facts for kids
Original 1956 cover
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| Author | Virginia Sorensen |
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| Illustrator | Beth and Joe Krush |
| Cover artist | Beth and Joe Krush |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, Historical fiction |
| Publisher | Harcourt Children's Books |
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Publication date
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1956 |
| Pages | 180 |
| ISBN | 0-152-54558-1 |
| OCLC | 220653 |
Miracles on Maple Hill is a famous book written by Virginia Sorensen in 1956. It won the important Newbery Medal in 1957. This award is given to the best children's books in the United States. The pictures in the book were drawn by Beth and Joe Krush.
The story and its characters were inspired by real people and places. Virginia Sorensen met them when she lived in Edinboro, Pennsylvania between 1952 and 1958.
Contents
Discovering Miracles on Maple Hill
The story of Miracles on Maple Hill is about a young girl named Marly and her family. They move from the city to a quiet country home. Marly's father has just returned from a war. He is very tired and sad, and needs time to heal.
The family finds a new life in the countryside. They meet kind neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Chris. The Chrises make their living by collecting sap from maple trees to make sweet maple syrup. Marly and her older brother, Joe, learn to love country life. They discover the beauty of nature and the joy of helping others. As they settle in, Marly's father slowly starts to feel better.
The Family's New Beginning
Marly's mother, Lee, decides the family needs a change. She moves them to Maple Hill, a place where the children's grandmother once lived. This move is meant to help Marly's father recover from his difficult experiences during the war.
In Maple Hill, people often help each other. They are open and friendly. The family quickly becomes close with Mr. and Mrs. Chris. The Chrises teach them about country living and the special process of making maple syrup. Marly and Joe enjoy their new home. They become much happier living away from the busy city. Their father's health also gets much better.
A Time for Helping Neighbors
One day, Mr. Chris becomes very sick during the time when maple sap is collected. This is called "sugaring time." Marly's family decides to help their kind neighbors. They gather all the maple sap and boil it down to make syrup.
They worry if their syrup will be as good as Mr. Chris's. When Mr. Chris returns home, he tastes their syrup. He cannot tell the difference! Marly realizes that the true "miracles" are not just in the syrup. The real miracles are her father's recovery, Mr. Chris getting well, and the strong family bonds they have built. It is also about new chances for life and love.
Meet the Characters
Main Characters in the Story
- Marly: She is the main character. Marly is a young girl who learns about the wonders of nature at her grandmother's old cabin.
- Joe: Marly's older brother. At first, he wants to go back to the city. But he soon finds his place and happiness in the countryside.
- Mr. Chris: A friendly older neighbor. He is a maple farmer who teaches Marly's family about the joys of country life.
Other Important Characters
- Marly's mom: She makes the important decision to move the family to the countryside. She believes it will help her husband heal.
- Marly's dad: A veteran who is struggling after the war. He finds peace and healing in the quiet countryside.
- Mrs. Chris: She takes care of both families. She also helps with the farm work when her husband is sick.
- Harry: A mysterious person who lives alone. Joe eventually becomes friends with him.
- Margie: Marly's best friend.
Listen to the Story
An audio version of Miracles on Maple Hill was released in 2005. It features a full cast of actors. Each character is voiced by a different person, making the story come alive.
About the Book's Style
Virginia Sorensen wrote this story in the past tense. It is told from a "third person" point of view, meaning a narrator tells the story. The words used are simple and easy to understand. Much of the book is made up of conversations between Marly, her family, and the people in Maple Hill. The book has fourteen short chapters and is less than 250 pages long.
