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223rd out of 631 books
—
2,155 voters
The Root Cellar
by
Janet Lunn
It looked like an ordinary root cellar. And if twelve-year-old Rose hadn't been so unhappy in her new home, where she'd been sent to live with unknown relatives, she probably would never have fled down the stairs to the root cellar in the first place. And if she hadn't, she never would have climbed up into another century, the world of the 1860s, and the chaos of Civil War...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
January 7th 1985
by Puffin Books
(first published May 1st 1983)
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Oct 26, 2010
Lisa Vegan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
those who like time travel stories, orphan stories, adventure stories, historical fiction stories
This is another wonderful orphan story and time travel story.
It reminded me of many other books including Time At The Top, The Twins at Thatchem Quickett, A Long Way to Go, Homecoming, and The Secret Garden (mentioned in the book); all are books I’ve enjoyed.
I love that these people read!!!
There’s a wonderful family cat who doesn’t get enough page time, but is enjoyable when he’s around.
There are terrific descriptions of immediately post American Civil War circumstances for soldiers and other ci...more
It reminded me of many other books including Time At The Top, The Twins at Thatchem Quickett, A Long Way to Go, Homecoming, and The Secret Garden (mentioned in the book); all are books I’ve enjoyed.
I love that these people read!!!
There’s a wonderful family cat who doesn’t get enough page time, but is enjoyable when he’s around.
There are terrific descriptions of immediately post American Civil War circumstances for soldiers and other ci...more
11 likes · like · see review
view all 13 comments
Loved it!!! Reading this book was a truly delicious experience. Sometimes a reader just "clicks" with an author's style. I knew from the first few pages that I was smitten with Ms. Lunn's wordweaving and it was this, almost more than the story itself, that truly captivated me about this book.
But the story is a good one! The blending of history (War Between the States) and fantasy (a modern girl is able to travel from present-day to the 1860s via a magical root cellar) could have been a disaster-...more
But the story is a good one! The blending of history (War Between the States) and fantasy (a modern girl is able to travel from present-day to the 1860s via a magical root cellar) could have been a disaster-...more
9 likes · like · see review
Hey Guys!!
I read this book almost last year and loved it!
If you like scary, (not too much of it is in this book but a little bit...) time traveling, History, and lots of imagination.... then read this book!
It was awesome. It is about a girl named Rose thats parents died and she lives with her grandma. When her grandma passes... she has to live with the dreaded aunt nan and uncle bob (i think...) and their houseful of boys.
She discovers that the house is very old and is sort of magical. (at least...more
I read this book almost last year and loved it!
If you like scary, (not too much of it is in this book but a little bit...) time traveling, History, and lots of imagination.... then read this book!
It was awesome. It is about a girl named Rose thats parents died and she lives with her grandma. When her grandma passes... she has to live with the dreaded aunt nan and uncle bob (i think...) and their houseful of boys.
She discovers that the house is very old and is sort of magical. (at least...more
"Timely Sacrifices for Friendship"
Slipping back and forth between the present (1960’s Canada) and
the past (American Civil War 1860’s) may sound exciting, but it offers more challenges and danger, as well as rewards, than the young protagonist ever imagined. Upon the death of her grandmother, twelve-year-old Rose, an orphan in the relative-shuffle, is sent to live on her aunt’s farm, where once again she does not fit in. Feeling miserable, knowing she does not belong there and lacking friends h...more
Slipping back and forth between the present (1960’s Canada) and
the past (American Civil War 1860’s) may sound exciting, but it offers more challenges and danger, as well as rewards, than the young protagonist ever imagined. Upon the death of her grandmother, twelve-year-old Rose, an orphan in the relative-shuffle, is sent to live on her aunt’s farm, where once again she does not fit in. Feeling miserable, knowing she does not belong there and lacking friends h...more
I found this book at the Good Will store...for 25 cents...Never heard of it...but was intrigued..The book came out of an "Elementary School"...which I found ODD...since this book seemed more to be written for YOUTH and even adults...It was voted the 1982 Canadian Library Association Children's Book of the Year Award. I really ENJOYED it! If you are looking for a good book for your good readers of "elementary" age or older...I would highly recommend it...Well written...
This is what the book is ab...more
This is what the book is ab...more
i read this book back in elementary school, and i enjoyed reading it at the time.
the story follows this orphan girl named rose who is sent to live with relatives after the death of her grandmother. rose is something of a tomboy and doesn’t really have any friends, so doesn’t feel like she fits in when she arrives and spends a lot of time by herself. one of the places she likes to spend time in is a root cellar near the house, and one day she goes into it only to find herself transported back in...more
the story follows this orphan girl named rose who is sent to live with relatives after the death of her grandmother. rose is something of a tomboy and doesn’t really have any friends, so doesn’t feel like she fits in when she arrives and spends a lot of time by herself. one of the places she likes to spend time in is a root cellar near the house, and one day she goes into it only to find herself transported back in...more
I read this book in elementary school, and remember really enjoying the idea that you could climb down into a root cellar and then climb out into the 1860's. I loved the whole theme that it doesn't matter when you come from, but only where you belong, especially when you are young and have lost your parents. I picked it up again, recently, out of nostalgia, and it brought back a lot of memories.
So far I have read that Rose has shifted/transported in the root cellar to Canada. In Canada she meets a boy named Will and a girl named Susan but when Rose shifts/transports again back home and than back to Canada again she was shocked by the 'time' she has been gone from Will and Susan more than ayear definatly. It was a cold afternoon that Will anounced to Rose and Susan he will be leaving to go join the northern stats army forces, susan is struck with a bundle of fear and saddness for him.Wi...more
This was my favorite book when I was twelve. I dug it out of the basement a few months ago and re-read it. This time, I still liked it, but thought it was a bit sappy at parts. Hence the four stars. My twelve-year-old self would have given it five stars. Still a great read. I'll pass it along to my unborn children.
I really liked this book when I was a young(er) person.
Mostly because I loved it in books when female characters would disguise themselves as boys.
Drag drag drag omg.
Mostly because I loved it in books when female characters would disguise themselves as boys.
Drag drag drag omg.
Rose is a lonely and unhappy orphan who one day discovers an old root cellar, and finds herself in the 1860s with an important role to play in the Civil War . . .
One of the best novels ever written. The depth and breadth of how the story delves into the lives of the characters, into the role of friendship, into the horrors of war, and into our sense of family is truly astounding. Very readable, engrossing and wonderful. This story is every bit as good as Joan Bauer's "Hope was Here". Its a completely different setting and told in a different way but powerful and compelling none the less.
The story is about a 12 year old orphan girl named Rose. Rose lived...more
The story is about a 12 year old orphan girl named Rose. Rose lived...more
Oct 14, 2011
Kristilyn (Reading In Winter & Winter Distractions)
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
physical-book
[from my blog 'Reading in Winter']
I’m not sure what exactly drew me to this book. I had no desire to pick up my current read, The Blind Man of Seville, so I wandered around my home library and pulled The Root Cellar, by Janet Lunn, off the shelf and just started reading.
It really wasn’t what I had expected – not that I had heard of the book or really knew what it was about, aside from a root cellar and a young girl. Right when I thought I wasn’t going to be reading more books about time travel,
I remember reading this as a girl and LOVING IT! I just wanted to live in an old home one day. Rereading it as an adult was enjoyable, too. But this time, I wasn't quite as impressed with it - it just seemed a little too unbelievable to me. But, the exposure it gives to life in the Civil War is great and I'm glad Sarah was able to read this, too.
I read this back in the 80s when in grade school and loved it. The story probably got me started on my eventual love for historical fiction and romance. I remember crushing on the 1860s boy Will (if that was actually his name, I'll be amazed at my memory), and wishing I had a root cellar of my own.
This book is probably due for a hunt-down-and-reread.
This book is probably due for a hunt-down-and-reread.
I read this in Elementary school. I have then given copies of it to Children in the age group for their summer reading. It touches on Family, friendships, and history. A great read for older elementary and middle school children. I have even read read this in college. I loved it as a child and continue to love it today.
This book is one that has stayed with me since childhood, although I do not recall more than a young girl traveled through a root cellar back through time. And that it was a good read. I do have intentions of picking it up again with hopes of reading it to my daughters.
It's been so long since I read this story, I don't feel it's fair to give an in depth review. However, I remember how much I loved this book as a kid. It kept me fascinated and interested from the beginning and twenty or so years later, I haven't forgotten how much I enjoyed it.
An old favourite, originally I read it in primary school at about age 11. I think it's what instilled in me a fascination with all things American Civil War.
A beautiful story, I have wanted to read it again for many years but wasn't able to find a copy, until a lovely person in the US sent it to me via BookMooch. It was a delight to read it again.
A beautiful story, I have wanted to read it again for many years but wasn't able to find a copy, until a lovely person in the US sent it to me via BookMooch. It was a delight to read it again.
A paranormal young adult book.
The young heroine hides inside a root cellar and when she
climbs back out she meets a young girl from the past.
They have to go on a journey to bring the young girls brother home from war.
A delightful story with a strong female character.
The young heroine hides inside a root cellar and when she
climbs back out she meets a young girl from the past.
They have to go on a journey to bring the young girls brother home from war.
A delightful story with a strong female character.
A red-headed socially awkward girl with braids disguises herself as a boy and goes on a cross-country trek on a mission. With time travel. Again, a pattern emerges. This also reminded me that I loved Homecoming by Cynthia Voight back then. Must read it.
Time-travel gimmick used to explore history, for middle-grade/ upper elementary reader. From Canada, with the focus on the aftermath of the American Civil War. Quite exciting, for the plot and for the rich characters.
I've read this once twice because I always forget what a book is about after a few months have gone by, but I remembered loving it. Now I don't remember it, again, and still remember loving it. So I imagine it's up for a re-read soon. I want to get my hands on a copy...
Feb 10, 2010
Ryba Bhullar
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes historical fiction, adventure, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery
Recommended to Ryba by:
DMelvin
I loved this book! It was so historic and intriguing. The characters are so well developed, and the setting is just... WOW! I really loved the plot because I really like reading about the Civil War
This was one of my first books that I really loved as a little girl. It captured my imagination in such a way that I will always believe in magic and the hope of bridging the gap of time.
Didn't really like The Root Cellar, but I had to read it for school.
An OK book read it if you like history or enjoy the idea of time travel.
An OK book read it if you like history or enjoy the idea of time travel.
Aug 08, 2012
Heather
added it
Read this for a course on Fantasy Literature for Children. A fairly predictable book, with characters that were difficult to like, at times it rambled on too much.
This is one of those books I remember loving and reading again and again as a kid, but now can remember almost nothing about.
I loved this book so much when I was in grade 6. Twas one of the first books I bought when I started my library
This is probably one of the very few if only "Canadian Classics" I have read and actually liked.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's The Name o...: SOLVED - Door in the ground that time warped based on time of day [s] | 5 | 37 | Feb 18, 2013 04:58pm | |
| Children's Books: October 2010 - The Root Cellar (Canada) | 75 | 43 | Nov 19, 2010 01:59pm |
Janet was born Janet Louise Swoboda on December 28, 1928 in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A, moved to Vermont when she was two and lived there until she was ten when the family moved to the outskirts of New York City. She came to Canada in 1946 to go to Notre Dame College in Ottawa and then to Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. There she met and married Richard Lunn, a fellow student. She has lived in...more
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