THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt. Drawings by David Small

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Appelt, Kathi. 2008. THE UNDERNEATH.  Ill. by David Small. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 9781415950585

PLOT SUMMARY

Ranger, a hound dog chained and living underneath a porch, befriends a cat and her kittens.  Ranger must keep the cats hidden from his cruel master, Gar Face.  After Gar Face finds the kittens and attempts to drown them, one of the kittens remains.  Puck, now located further down the river, must take on an incredible adventure to return to Ranger.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story is an unwanted adventure by a stray kitten named Puck.  His quest to return and free a dog named Ranger, motivate him to complete the journey with all of the difficulties along the way.  Another storyline, one about an old snake spirit looming beneath the waters of the bayou, takes shape and weaves its own story throughout the book.  Both stories have fictional elements such as magic, spirits with long-life, and talking animals.  For example, the mama cat has a conversation with a hummingbird about the burden she placed on Puck to return and free Ranger.

The reader quickly connects to Puck, the main character as well as Ranger and Sabine.  The heart strings are tugged by their circumstance and the mean Gar Face.  The reader is captivated by the expedition and longs for the reuniting of the unlikely family.  Finally, “All night they had snuggled right next to the old dog’s chest, just under his ears…Ranger hovered.  He could feel the scratchy tongues of his kittens.  Nothing had ever felt finer.”  And it is here that the storyline between the cats and Ranger, Grandmother Moccasin and the Alligator come together to end the story. 

The setting of this story is very vivid and intricate.  The reader can visualize the bayou, animals, the bone-covered yard, and the dark safety of the Underneath.  Themes such as friendship, family, persistence, tragedy, sacrifice, and hope are displayed throughout the journey.   David Small’s drawings are playful examples of the themes going on.  The alligator in chapter 115 is creepy but exhilarating.  The family towards the end of the book is precious and full of happiness and hope that they are finally free… and together.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

Kirkus Reviews – “Appelt intricately weaves these animals’ ancient stories into Puck’s survival saga to produce a magical tale of betrayal, revenge, love and the importance of keeping promises.”

Booklist – “But most children will be pulled forward by the vulnerable pets’ survival adventure and by Small’s occasional, down-to-earth drawings, created with fluid lines that are a perfect match for the book’s saturated setting and Appelt’s ebbing, flowing lyricism.”

John Newbery Honor Book

CONNECTIONS

*This would be a great book to do a brown bag activity.  You could include animals, fake of course, like a snake in a jar, a cute kitten and big loveable dog, a hummingbird, and an alligator. A chain and animal bones would be cool too.

*Research bayous.   Most kids will not be familiar with that geographic location. 

*Write a story of your own from one or many animal’s perspective. 

*Use predicting throughout the story.  Have students stop and predict what will happen next.

*Have students get into groups and have each group take a character.  The group must create an exhibit of that character including its habitat, drawing or objects to represent it.