The Root Cellar. By Janet Lunn. Perfection Learning, 1996. Tr. $15.85 ISBN 978-0812437249
Summary: Up until her grandmother’s recent death, Rose Larkin lived a life of luxury, traveling across the world with her wise, loving grandmother. Now she’s forced to adjust to life with her Aunt Nan and Uncle Bob, and their brood of children, with another one in the way. Rose misses the silence of life with her grandmother, believing that she doesn’t fit in with her Hawthorn Bay relations. One afternoon, when the sun hits the cellar door, she enters a portal into the mid-nineteenth century, becoming friends with Will and Susan. She’s now chosen to return to the past, to help Susan find Will, a soldier in the 81st regiment.
Critical Review: Lunn’s novel is as alive today as it was when it was first published. Rose’s trials are still relatable to tweens who must deal with the loss of their caregiver, and adjust to life with a new family. Rose’s travels in the past teaches her that she is loved by those in the past and the present. The historical detail is accurate, and the fantastical, science-fiction element is sophisticated. Originally time passes more quickly in the past, however, Rose learns how to control for this by passing along a treasured passion to Sue. The two girls successfully travel to Washington D.C. and find that Will is alive, but not without several troubles along their route. They escape from Steve’s mother, only to lose their luggage. Thankfully they bind together through their hardship, and make it to New Jersey and New York. In New York Rose learns a painful lesson: the New York of the past is completely different than her home. In order to survive, she must rely on her friend and work together.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction; Historical Fiction; Time-Travel Fiction
Reading/Interest Level: 9-12 years
Awards: Canadian Library Association Children’s Book of the Year, 1982; Runner up for the Canada Council children’s book award (now the Governor General’s award); Runner up for the Ruth Schwartz (Canadian Booksellers) children’s book of the year, 1981; One of 58 notable books for children chosen by the American Library Association Booklist’s Reviewers’ choice; American National Council of Teachers of English, teacher’s choice for 1983 (one of 24 titles); Honor list, International Board of Books for Young People, 1984;
Winner, in the Junior High Category, of the California Young Reader Medal, 1988
Reviews: Booklist (1987, July 1)
Similar Materials: Philippa Pearce’s Tom’s Midnight Garden
Subjects/Themes: orphans and foster homes; aunts, uncles and cousins; Ontario, Canada; loneliness; time-travel fiction; Civil War; pregnancy; fantasy and magic; farm and ranch life; science fiction; philosophy
Character Names: Rose Larkin; Will Morrisay; Susan Morrisay; Mrs. Morrisay; Aunt Nan; Uncle Bob; Sam; George; Aunt Millicent; Tom; Steve Jerue; Min Jerue; Uncle Arnold; Aunt Stella
Brief Annotation: An orphaned twentieth-century twelve-year old girl travels back in time to the Civil War, finding love and acceptance in both worlds.
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