The Root Cellar facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Janet Lunn |
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| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's historical fiction novel |
| Publisher | Lester and Orpen Dennys |
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Publication date
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1981 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 247 pp (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-919630-78-2 |
| OCLC | 8982625 |
| Followed by | Shadow in Hawthorn Bay |
The Root Cellar is an exciting children's historical novel written by Janet Lunn. It was first published in 1981. The story starts in the 1980s, but most of the adventure happens in the 1860s. It follows a girl named Rose Larkin, who is an orphan. She travels back and forth in time. Her journey takes her between Ontario, Canada, in the 1980s and different places during the American Civil War in the 1860s. This amazing time travel happens through a special place: the root cellar mentioned in the book's title.
What's the Story About?
The story begins with twelve-year-old Rose Larkin. She became an orphan when her parents died when she was only three. After that, she lived with her grandmother. When her grandmother also passed away, Rose had to move. She was sent to live with relatives in Ontario, Canada.
Rose found it hard to get along with her cousins. She felt like she didn't fit in. One day, feeling lonely, she ran away and found an old root cellar. When she went down into the cellar, something magical happened. She was suddenly transported back in time to the 1860s!
In the past, Rose meets two new friends: Susan and Will. They live on the same farm, but in a different time. Susan works for the Morrissay family and is very close to Will. Rose soon notices something strange. Every time she goes back to the past, Susan and Will seem to age much faster than she does.
Eventually, Rose travels back to the 1860s and learns that Will has left. He has gone to join the Union Army during the Civil War. Rose convinces Susan that they must find Will, who is now missing in action. The two girls bravely travel a long way. They go from Ontario to New York City and then to Washington, D.C. to search for him.
At the end of their big adventure, Rose faces a new challenge. A storm in the 1980s destroys the root cellar. This means she can no longer travel back to Will and Susan's time.
Where Does It Take Place?
The novel takes place in three main areas. It starts on a farm in Ontario, Canada, in the 1980s. This is Rose's "present" time.
After Rose enters the root cellar, she finds herself in Canada during the 1860s. This is the past where she meets Susan and Will.
Later, Rose and Susan leave Canada. They travel to the United States to find Will. Their journey takes them to big cities like New York City and Washington D.C. These places are important during their search.
Meet the Characters
- Rose Larkin
- Rose is a twelve-year-old girl. She moves from one relative to another after her grandmother dies. She ends up living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins near Lake Ontario in Canada. Rose struggles to fit in with her new family. Feeling alone, she discovers the old root cellar. This cellar takes her back to the early 1860s. There, she finally makes good friends with Susan Anderson and Will Morrissay. They are all close in age at first.
- Susan Anderson
- Susan is a young woman who works on the Morrissay farm in Canada during the 1860s. She meets Rose after Rose travels to the past. The two girls quickly become close friends. Rose notices that Susan ages much faster than she does each time Rose travels between their times. But after they try an experiment, their times become more in sync. When Will joins the army and goes missing, Rose insists they must find him.
- Will Morrissay
- Will is a boy from the Morrissay family. Susan works for his family. Will decides to join the Union army during the American Civil War. After he is reported missing, Rose and Susan leave Canada. They travel through the United States to find him.
