SOLVED. beautiful children's book, boat that is lifted through a canal, doorway to another place? [s]

[Js700]

This is going to be a hard one...

About five + years ago, I read a wonderful book but I can't remember any details.

The main character (boy? girl? definitely young) ends up in a strange place (different world? through a hedge, maybe?). I just remember this one scene where the protagonist goes on a boat through a canal--the boat, which is huge, gets lifted up level by level through the different "steps" of the canal.

It was a great book, very beautiful yet simple. for ages 9-12 perhaps.

Any suggestions would be great

[Mir]

Is it illustrated?

It couldn't possibly be The Golden Compass, could it? That has a girl, a boat on a canal, and a door to another world.

[Js700]

I don't think it was illustrated, and no, it wasn't the Golden Compass. Thanks though

[Js700]

Rhianna wrote: "The City of Ember maybe?"

afraid not...

[Sairah]

Do you know I'd it seemed new 5 years ago?

[Andria]

Possibly The Water Mirror by Kai Meyer? Set in an enchanted, alternate Venice. Lots of canals. Recently republished with other books in trilogy, as Dark Reflections.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

JS700, are you still looking for this book?

[Js700]

by Marguerite De Angeli? Not that….

Yes, still looking please :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

JS700, if you bump this up regularly (every 30 to 60 days) you will stand a better chance of getting it found.

[Tab]

Js700, do you think you can dig out any other details?

Remember any villains, sidekicks, family? Historical or contemporary setting?

Besides being transported to a different place, what other fantastical elements were in it? Dragons, witches, trolls, etc?

Anything about the cover, length of book, part of a series?

[Js700]

We're not sure it was fantasy--In fact, no other fantastic elements. It might not have been a fantastical place she went to: just somewhere other.

It might have been a bit historical.

Not a part of a series--and I don't remember the book cover. It was an audio book at one point.

Gar!

[Tab]

Hmmm, the scene you are describing sounds a little like a boat lift.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boat_lift

There are a few boat lifts listed on that wiki. Maybe one of the names or locations sticks out to you. The main character may have been "transported" to one of these places.

[Katie]

I loved this book as a child! It's The Gate In The Wall

[Michael]

Well done, Katie, you edged me at the post by two days! (I was unaware of this other thread, and independently posted the same solution on December 26.) I'm almost certain you're correct: I have a copy of "The Gate in the Wall" from my local library, the details all match... And I'm finding it a delightful read to boot, even as an adultt.

I wish Js700 would check in, either to this thread of the other one - can't wait to have the O.P. confirm our solution. If anyone knows how to contact Js700, please do so post-haste...

[Ann aka Iftcan]

PM sent off. Now to wait and see.

[Js700]

YES! It's The Gate in the Wall by Ellen Howard. Thank you Katie! It's a beautiful book. Just ordered it and can't wait to read it again. Thanks everyone for all your help!

[Michael]

Excellent news! I still have my library copy, and I was virtually certain this was the correct book, but it's most satisfying to see you confirm it. It's a wonderful thing to rediscover a long-lost childhood favorite, isn't it? I've been fortunate enough to experience this several times myself. The details all come back in a rush, LOL...

Happy reading!


(PS: Your other thread, "Runaway girl accesses a canal through a door in a hedge...", could use a post too. Some of those folks still don't know what happened...)