The Barrel in the Basement

by Barbara Brooks Wallace

Pudding Muddle, the only two Furkens around, need a place to live. So when they stumble upon Old Toaster and his delightful elf-size house in the barrel in the basement, they decide this is the place to live. Soon they discover that they are watched over by a kind human named Noah. Just when life is settling down, along comes a curious human boy named Freddy. What's a Furken to do?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Award-winning American children's writer. Has received, among others, the NLAPW Children's Book Award and International Youth Library "Best of the Best" for 'Claudia' (2001), as well as the William Allen White Children's Book Award for 'Peppermints in the Parlor' (1983).

Wallace was born and spent her childhood in China, but then moved to the United States. San Francisco was often a port of entry for her family, who lived in a huge, white-pillared mansion on the side of a hill, later to become the Sugar Hill Hall mansion which served as the setting for some of her most popular books. She was a UCLA graduate.

Wallace won two Edgar Allan Poe Awards from the Mystery Writers of America for 'The Twin in the Tavern' (1994) and for 'Sparrows in the Scullery' (1998). 'Cousins in The Castle' (1997 and 'Ghosts in the Gallery' (2001) were also nominated for an Edgar Award.

Reviews

[Kenley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is totally awesome! i read it awhile ago, like in 4th grade, but it had a lasting impression on me; i loved it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little children's book--probably 3rd or 4th grade level--about Furkens (a kind of elf). It teaches that we need accept who we are and make the most of our circumstances.

[Elevetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars ish.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Barrel in the Basement" - written by Barbara Brooks Wallace and published in 2000 by Turtleback Books, first published in 1985. A nice little fantasy populated with elves.