A House by the River - Softcover

William Miller

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1620143054 ISBN 13: 9781620143056

Publisher: Lee & Low Books, 2016

Synopsis

As the worst storm in years approaches, Belinda wishes more than ever that she and her mother lived in town, where the houses are on high ground, safe from the rising river. Their old house, with its leaky roof and rickety stairs, hardly seems strong enough to endure the fierce winds and driving rain. If only her father were alive, Belinda thinks, then she d feel safer. But what Belinda discovers through the long night of the storm is that her house is made of more than wood and brick it is also fortified by her family s love. The award-winning team of William Miller, Cornelius Van Wright, and Ying-Hwa Hu present one of their most powerful works yet. A House by the River is an unforgettable story of love, courage, and the true meaning of home.

About this title

About the Author:

William Miller - Author is the award-winning author of numerous books for children for LEE & LOW. Mr. Miller lives in York, Pennsylvania, where he teaches African American literature and creative writing at York College.

From Kirkus Reviews:

Miller (The Knee-High Man, 1996) finds metaphors in the smooth shell of an egg, in a storm, and in the family bonds with those who have passed away to tell the story of the house that shelters Belinda and her mother from the forces outside their door. The river is rising and Belinda finds herself wishing, once again, for a clean, dry house like the homes of her classmates, closer to school, away from the elements. As the weather worsens, she greets her mother, who reassures her that the house will see them through the storm. As they watch and wait, Belinda's mother tells her about her father, and the dismal state of the house when they first moved in. The storm does pass, and Belinda is grateful for her home--and that's all. The narrative is made of reminiscences and descriptions of the storm's phases; Belinda and her mother happen to be African-Americans, but race is never a factor in the story. Luminous illustrations track the storm's progress and make Belinda's snug surroundings--leaky roof and all--glow. A quiet book--though not one to hand to children in the flood-wracked Midwest--with an unassuming, but sturdy, message. (Picture book. 6-9) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Lee & Low Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1620143054
• ISBN 13: 9781620143056
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Ying-Hwa Hu, Cornelius Van Wright