Up the Chimney Down: And Other Stories [Hardcover]

Joan Aiken (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1985 | Age Level: 9 and up

The last chimney cuckoo -- Miss Hotting's legacy -- The gift-giving -- The dog on the roof -- The missing heir -- Up the chimney down -- Christmas at Troy -- The midnight rose -- The happiest sheep in London -- The fire dogs -- Potter's gray.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6 Although the setting of these 11 short stories moves between New York, London and Paris, the real locale is Aiken country where a baker makes cakes for the wind, a rare bird is saved from extinction and a rainbow makes itself comfortable in a small house in a "rather wild part of London." Life is hard in Aiken's world, but greed, a frequent phenomenon, is thwarted and goodness triumphs. A blind and despairing grandmother recovers her gift of second sight through a grandson's love, and a witch woman's revenge turns sour. The cleverness and wit of "Miss Hooting's Legacy" and the romanticism of "The Gift Giving" are paired with the starkness and wonder of "The Fire Dogs" and "Potter's Gray." "The Missing Heir" is a contemporary version of The King of the Cats. Sometimes whimsy takes over and dissipates the impact of a tale, such as the leisurely "The Dog on the Roof" and "Up the Chimney Down" in which a twin, Clove, rescues her sister Cinnamon from the clutches of an evil and greedy witch. If some stories are more tightly plotted than others, no matter. Aiken's ability to write so that one can see, hear and even taste is consistent and welcome. Amy Kellman, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books (November 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060200367
• ISBN-13: 978-0060200367
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,167,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan Aiken (1924-2004) was the daughter of Pulitzer prize winning poet Conrad Aiken and started writing herself from the age of five. During her lifetime she published over one hundred books for children and adults, including the acclaimed Wolves of Willoughby Chase series. In the UK she received an MBE from the Queen for her services to Children's Literature.

This year sees the publication of a brand NEW story collection - The Monkey's Wedding - with previously unpublished material that shows Aiken on top form. This collection of funny, spooky, unexpected but classic Aiken stories has received wonderful reviews and will delight her readers. See below for details.

Her work continues to be adapted for film and television; she is established as a consummate storyteller,and recognized as one of the best loved authors of the twentieth century.

"The Wonderful World of Joan Aiken" is at www.joanaiken.com