The Gate in the Wall

By Ellen Howard

Book Overview

Ellen Howard pens a charming young adult novel revealing the hardships of life for poor, ten-year-old Emma in mid-1800s England.

When ten-year-old Emma is late by one minute to her job at the silk mill where she works ten hours a day, she is locked out. Even though none of it is her fault, she is certain her pay will be docked and her brother-in-law, Ben, will beat her when she gets home. With no idea what to do, she sinks to the ground and cries.

Until, through her tears, she sees a gate in a wall that she has never spotted before. Hesitantly, she pushes the gates open, putting off her return home. As she passes through the gate, she spots a strangely beautiful boat floating in a canal.

With nothing but hope, the gate brings Emma into an entirely new life as she finds a way to utilize her artistic gifts as a canal woman.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1416967966
• ISBN13: 9781416967965
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Wonderful!

I loved this book. It paints a colorful and touching portrait of the characters, Emma Deane and Mrs. Minshull. They seemed so real, I felt like I'd actually met them both. I cried at least twice! This book also gives a fascinating glimpse of life in another era. Don't miss this book!

Warm story, admirable characters

I enjoyed this book a lot! It reminded me of an American Girl, but with more complex characters. The growing relationship between Emma and Mrs. Minshull, Emma's growing strength (both physical and mental), and her pride in her talent was neatly drawn. And just the right length for young readers! Would have liked more information about the canal life.

A very good book.

Ten-year-old Emma is used to working ten hours a day in a silk mill in Victorian England. When she is locked out for being a moment late, and gets a job on a canal boat, her life takes an unexpected turn for the better. I loved this book