Whittington (novel) facts for kids
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| Author | Alan Armstrong |
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| Illustrator | S. D. Schindler |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Random House |
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Publication date
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2005 |
| ISBN | 978-0-375-92864-2 |
Whittington is a fantasy novel for children written by Alan Armstrong. It was published in 2005 by Random House. The book features illustrations by S. D. Schindler.
This book received special recognition. It was named a 2006 Newbery Honor Book. This means it was a finalist for the important Newbery Medal. It was also listed as an ALA Notable Book for Children.
Contents
What is Whittington About?
The story of Whittington brings together three different tales. These stories weave together to create one big adventure.
A Cat's New Home
The first story is about a scruffy cat named Whittington. He is a tomcat, which means he is a male cat. Whittington is a descendant of a very famous cat. This famous cat belonged to a man named Dick Whittington. Our Whittington wants to find a place to belong. He moves into a barn owned by a kind man named Bernie. Bernie's grandchildren, Ben and Abby, also spend time at the barn. The barn is home to many other animals who are a bit different.
The Legend of Dick Whittington
The second story is told by the cat, Whittington, himself. He shares the tale of his famous ancestor, Dick Whittington. This legend is based on a real person. Stories about Dick and his cat have been told since the early 1600s. Many modern books also share this tale. It is a classic "rags-to-riches" story. It tells how a poor boy found fame and wealth. His special pet, a cat, helped him by being very good at catching rats.
Ben's Reading Challenge
The third story focuses on Ben, Bernie's grandson. Ben has dyslexia, which makes reading difficult for him. He is struggling to learn how to read at school. His principal has told him that he might not move to the next grade. This will happen if his reading skills do not get better.
How the Stories Connect
The stories of Dick Whittington and Ben's reading journey are similar in some ways. Dick had to work hard to succeed in the world. Ben struggles with his own feelings of frustration and fear about reading. Dick's cat helped him find success and even love. Ben gets help from all the animals in the barn. They convince his sister, Abby, to set up reading lessons in the barn. They also encourage him to try a special reading program at school called Reading Recovery. This helps Ben, even though some classmates tease him.
