Pat of Silver Bush facts for kids
Pat of Silver Bush (1933) is a wonderful novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. She's famous for writing the Anne of Green Gables books! This story is about a girl named Patricia Gardiner, but everyone calls her Pat. Pat loves her home, Silver Bush, more than anything. She really dislikes any kind of change.
Pat is super devoted to her family. This includes her mom and dad, her brothers Joe and Sid, and her sisters Winnie and Rachel. Rachel is so little, everyone calls her Cuddles! There's also Judy Plum, the family's kind housekeeper. The book starts when Pat is 7 years old and finishes when she's 18. It shares many stories about her family life and Judy's amazing tales.
As Pat grows up, some family members leave Silver Bush. Her Aunt Hazel gets married. Her brother Joe decides to become a sailor. Her sister Winnie also gets married when Pat is a teenager. Pat feels sad about these changes. But her deep love for Silver Bush helps her through these tough times. She wants Silver Bush to stay exactly the same. She even cries when old trees have to be cut down! Pat is a bit different from other kids. She prefers having just a few close friends. She has a strong friendship with her neighbor, Hilary "Jingle" Gordon. He lives nearby with his aunt and uncle. She's also close with Elizabeth "Bets" Wilcox. Sadly, Bets gets very sick and passes away from the flu when she is sixteen.
When Pat is a teenager, she has some boyfriends. But she can't imagine leaving her beloved home. If anyone says anything bad about Silver Bush, she breaks up with them! Pat only dreams of taking care of her family and Silver Bush. She even gets a serious illness, scarlet fever, which stops her from becoming a teacher. She's secretly happy about this.
Like many of Lucy Maud Montgomery's books, Pat of Silver Bush is a story about home and family. Pat is different from other famous Montgomery heroines like Anne Shirley. Pat isn't trying to be a writer or achieve big goals. She also has a normal family life, unlike Anne who is an orphan. The next book, Mistress Pat, continues Pat's story for many more years.
Meet the Characters of Silver Bush
Here are the main people you'll meet in Pat of Silver Bush:
- Patricia (Pat) Gardiner: She's the main character. Pat is very loyal and loving. She cares deeply for her home, Silver Bush. She can be very sensitive if anyone criticizes her home.
- Joe Gardiner: He is the oldest child in the family. Joe doesn't want to be a farmer. He eventually leaves home to become a sailor.
- Winnie Gardiner: She is the oldest girl. Winnie is known for being very beautiful. Pat finds it hard when Winnie gets married and moves away from Silver Bush.
- Sid Gardiner: He is Pat's closest sibling in age. They have a very strong bond. Sid is interested in farming. He also has a childhood crush on Pat's friend, Bets.
- Rachel Gardiner (called "Cuddles"): She is the youngest child in the family. Cuddles is born early in the book. She grows up to be a very curious little girl.
- Aunt Hazel: She is Pat's beloved aunt. Aunt Hazel gets married early in the story.
- Long Alec Gardiner: He is the father of all the Gardiner children.
- Mrs. Gardiner: She is the mother of all the Gardiner children. Her health is often not very good. It gets worse after Cuddles is born.
- Judy Plum: She is the family's housekeeper. Judy has lived at Silver Bush for many years. The children see her almost like a second mother. She speaks with an Irish accent. Judy tells the children many stories, cooks them delicious food, and generally takes care of everyone in the house.
- Elizabeth "Bets" Wilcox: She is Pat's best friend. Sadly, Bets gets sick with the flu and passes away.
- Hilary "Jingle" Gordon: He is a boy who lives nearby. Hilary lives with his aunt and uncle, who are not very loving. His mother left him when he was young. As Hilary and Pat grow up, Hilary realizes he loves Pat. However, Pat isn't sure if she loves him back.
