The Gate In The Wall (Jean Karl Books) [Hardcover]

Ellen Howard (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jean Karl Books

Pressed into service as a canal woman, ten-year-old Emma finds ways to utilize her artistic gifts. Although it is a better existence than her strenuous job in the English silk mill, she feels guilty over the sister she left behind. Authentic details make this an engaging story--one that reveals the hardships of the mid-1800s when life for the poor in England was unrelentingly cruel. It is also a liberating tale as Emma draws on her inner strength to find her true calling.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in England during the Industrial Revolution, this lively and rewarding novel captures the spirit and speech of the canal boat people who, as an independent class within English society, formed their own distinct culture. The heavy dialect ("Clemmed, were ye?... Mayhappen ye havena supped o' late?") may be a stumbling block for some (especially those who do not discover the appended glossary until the end), but readers who enjoy such vivid language will savor Howard's (The Tower Room; A Different Kind of Courage) skillful use of historical details. Too scared to go home to her sister and her sister's brutish husband after she is locked out of her job at the silk factory for arriving late, 10-year-old Emma wanders through an open gate in a high brick wall. Inside, she finds a "placid ribbon" of water, and the pathway alongside it leads her to a canal boat named Cygnet and its gruff but soft-hearted owner, Mrs. Minshull. To pay for eating one of Mrs. Minshull's potatoes, Emma is put to work as a "huffler," leading the horse that pulls the Cygnet. As the boat travels far from Emma's home in Macclesfield, she grows to enjoy her job and the quiet evenings with Mrs. Minshull. Still, Emma suffers pangs of guilt for leaving her sister. Noting the contrast between the immaculate, brightly painted Cygnet and the grim, squalid conditions of Emma's own home, readers will regret the heroine's decision to return to Macclesfield, but relief comes almost immediately. Swiftly plotted and thoughtfully constructed, this novel makes splendid use of its unusual setting. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-7-Howard returns with another successful historical tale featuring a resourceful young girl. Emma Deane is but 10-years-old and already working in a mill to support her sister, her sister's brutish husband, and their child. One day she happens upon a gate by the riverside and enters the world of the canal folk, people who moved cargo up and down the complex system of canals in 19th-century England. She is pressured into service for a Mrs. Minshull after taking one of the woman's potatoes to assuage her hunger. After helping the elderly boatwoman all the way to Manchester, Emma's self-esteem begins to grow. She meets various characters along the way and discovers an incipient talent: painting. Although Mrs. Minshull is gruff, she treats Emma with a concern that the young girl hasn't felt since her parents died. Feeling guilty, however, for abandoning her sister and the baby, she determines that she must return to them. Once there, Emma discovers where she truly belongs. Howard's attention to detail is not spared, and she provides a dialect true to the time period and culture. Although a glossary helps, some words may be somewhat daunting to younger readers. The overall effect, though, brings this story to life. Children will appreciate Emma's adventures as she makes her way up and down the canal, realizing her gifts and finding a home for herself.
Carol Fazioli, The Brearley School, New York City, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689822952
• ISBN-13: 978-0689822957
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,939,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good book., March 30, 1999

By 

Rebecca Herman (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Gate In The Wall (Jean Karl Books) (Hardcover)

Ten-year-old Emma is used to working ten hours a day in a silk mill in Victorian England. When she is locked out for being a moment late, and gets a job on a canal boat, her life takes an unexpected turn for the better. I loved this book

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm story, admirable characters, July 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gate In The Wall (Jean Karl Books) (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this book a lot! It reminded me of an American Girl, but with more complex characters. The growing relationship between Emma and Mrs. Minshull, Emma's growing strength (both physical and mental), and her pride in her talent was neatly drawn. And just the right length for young readers! Would have liked more information about the canal life.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, March 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gate In The Wall (Jean Karl Books) (Hardcover)

I loved this book. It paints a colorful and touching portrait of the characters, Emma Deane and Mrs. Minshull. They seemed so real, I felt like I'd actually met them both. I cried at least twice! This book also gives a fascinating glimpse of life in another era. Don't miss this book!