The Underneath (novel) facts for kids
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| Author | Kathi Appelt |
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| Illustrator | David Small |
| Cover artist | David Blane |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature Fantasy |
| Publisher | Atheneum Books for Young Readers |
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Publication date
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2008 |
| Pages | 313 |
| ISBN | 978-1-4169-5058-5 |
| OCLC | 166386966 |
| LC Class | PZ7.A6455 Un 2008 |
The Underneath is a children's book written by Kathi Appelt. It tells the exciting story of an abandoned cat who finds a home with a kind hound dog living under an old, crooked house. This house is in a bayou (a swampy area) near the border of Louisiana and Texas. Published in 2008, The Underneath received special recognition as a John Newbery Honor book. It was also named an ALA Notable Children's Book and was a finalist for the National Book Award.
Contents
The Story of The Underneath
The main story happens under a worn-out house in a swampy area called a bayou, close to the Texas-Louisiana border.
Life Under the Porch
There's an old hound dog named Ranger. He is chained under the porch. His owner, Gar Face, accidentally hurt Ranger's leg a long time ago. Now, Ranger is chained up to bark and warn Gar Face if anyone or anything comes near.
One day, a calico cat arrives and has two kittens. Ranger names the kittens "Sabine" and "Puck." The mother cat and Ranger tell the kittens they must never leave the safe space under the porch. They warn that Gar Face might use them to attract alligators.
A Dangerous Journey
One day, Puck accidentally wanders away from the porch. Gar Face catches him. While trying to protect Puck, the mother cat is also caught. Gar Face puts them both in a bag and throws it into the river. Puck is saved, but the brave mother cat sadly dies trying to help him. After she passes, she meets a hummingbird. Hummingbirds in this story are known to guide the spirits of the dead. Later, Puck gets lost while exploring on his own.
Grandmother Moccasin's Tale
The book also introduces Grandmother Moccasin. In this story, she is a water moccasin who is also a lamia (a creature that is part human and part snake). Her daughter, Night Song, changed her form to marry Hawk Man. Grandmother Moccasin felt betrayed by this. She tricked her daughter into changing back into a serpent. Magical creatures who return to their original forms are stuck that way forever.
Because of what she did, Hawk Man trapped Grandmother Moccasin in a clay jar. She stayed there, feeling very angry and sad for a long time. The Alligator King is an alligator who was friends with Grandmother Moccasin before she was trapped. He is also the alligator that Gar Face is trying to catch using Ranger as bait.
A Change of Heart
Later, big storms come and break the clay jar, freeing Grandmother Moccasin. She decides to do something unexpected. She sees the strong love between the kittens and the hound dog. This makes her change her mind. She frees Ranger from his chain. However, a bullet from Gar Face accidentally hits her. As she is dying, she finally meets her granddaughter, Rainbow Bird. Rainbow Bird is the hummingbird who guides spirits.
Who's Who in The Underneath
- Ranger An old hound dog who is chained up under the house.
- Gar Face Ranger's owner, who wants to catch the alligator living in the bayou.
- Calico cat mother The brave cat who gives birth to Sabine and Puck.
- Sabine The girl kitten who stays with Ranger under the house.
- Puck The boy kitten who left to explore and got lost.
- Grandmother Moccasin A lamia (part human, part snake) who was trapped in a clay jar.
- Night Song Grandmother Moccasin's daughter, who is also a lamia.
- Rainbow Bird A hummingbird who guides spirits and is also Night Song's daughter.
- Hawk Man Night Song's husband.
- Alligator King The oldest alligator known, and a friend of Grandmother Moccasin.
Awards for The Underneath
- John Newbery Honor Book 2009
- 2009 ALA Notable Children's Book
- National Book Award Finalist 2008
