What Katy did

Title:

What Katy did

Author:

Coolidge, Susan, 1835-1905.

ISBN:

9780349009599

Personal Author:

Coolidge, Susan, 1835-1905.

Publication Date:

2017

Physical Description:

182 pages ; 20 cm.

Series:

Virago modern classics

Virago modern classics.

Abstract:

The 'What Katy Did' trilogy was first published in the late 1800s, but was there ever such a modern girl as wild, irrepressible Katy? What makes this novel so groundbreaking is Coolidge's realistic portrait of a childhood, with the high spirits, temper tantrums and naughtiness you'd expect to see in any 'normal' child. Coolidge is not interested in sermonising and morals, and her characters aren't in a continual quest for perfection; she's interested in the people, their imperfections, a family and its dynamics. Which is why these books are so enjoyable to a modern audience, and why they deserve to be championed.

Reading Level:

Juvenile.

Genre:

Children's stories.

Fiction 9+.

Classics.

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Shelf Number	Material Type	Item Barcode	Status
Searching... Brompton Library	STORIES	Book	30116020549331	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Kensington Central Library	STORIES	Book	30116020941256	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Maida Vale Library	STORIES	Book	30117803039359	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

'It took me four days to read this book and I really enjoyed it' GUARDIAN

'One of my all-time favourite books. It's a very lively, funny story' JACQUELINE WILSON

'Katy speaks with a charm and directness that remains as fresh as when it was written' AMANDA CRAIG

Katy Carr has grand plans to be beautiful, graceful and ladylike . . . one day! But for now she has hair that is always tangled, bootlaces undone, a torn dress and she doesn't care about being well-behaved. With a wild imagination and high spirits, she is always up to mischief, but there never has been a heroine as lovable as Katy. Then a terrible accident happens and it takes all her courage and hard-learned patience to keep her dreams alive.

This collection of the best in children's literature, curated by Virago, will be coveted by children and adults alike. These are timeless tales with beautiful covers, that will be treasured and shared across the generations. Some titles you will already know; some will be new to you, but there are stories for everyone to love, whatever your age. Our list includes Nina Bawden ( Carrie's War , The Peppermint Pig ), Rumer Godden ( The Dark Horse , An Episode of Sparrow s), Joan Aiken ( The Serial Garden , The Gift Giving ) E. Nesbit ( The Psammead Trilogy, The Bastable Trilogy, The Railway Children ), Frances Hodgson Burnett ( The Little Princess , The Secret Garden ) and Susan Coolidge (The What Katy Did Trilogy). Discover Virago Children's Classics.

Author Notes

Susan Coolidge was born in 1835 in Cleveland, Ohio, but grew up in Connecticut. During the American Civil War, Coolidge worked as a nurse. Susan Coolidge loved writing stories even when she was a child, and What Katy Did is based on Susan and her brothers and sisters when they were young. Susan, like Katy, was a high-spirited, imaginative little girl who often got into trouble.

Her realistic portrait of childhood set her apart from other writers of her time. Instead of teaching morals, she was interested in her characters, their imperfections and the dynamics of a family. The What Katy Did trilogy was a huge success.

Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 5-8-Twelve-year-old Katy is constantly making and quickly breaking resolutions about how she will change her ways and treat others, especially her five younger brothers and sisters, with more respect and compassion. When Katy meets her Cousin Helen, an invalid, Katy is awed by her kindness, prettiness, and generosity. Katy is determined to become more like Helen, a resolution that lasts only a few hours. Soon, however, Katy gets a chance to become more like cousin Helen than she ever wished as she finds herself confined to her bedroom for four years as a result of an accident. Much of the story is focused on the change Katy undergoes during her illness. Helen visits again to advise Katy to learn from her experience and to try to become the center of the house by making her room and herself more attractive to others. One way Katy decides to take Helen's advice is through assuming the responsibility of running the house, a job that consists of giving the servants instructions and ringing her bell to summon her sisters when she has a task for them. As soon as Katy has learned the lesson about how to care for others, she recovers and regains the ability to walk. Barbara Caruso's expressive narration is well done. She has given each character a distinct voice that helps portray his or her personality. This is a lengthy audiobook, but Caruso's pleasant narration helps to keep listeners' interest. Written by Susan Coolidge (Viking Penguin pap. 1997) and originally published in 1872, this work is dated and offers a limited vision of the roles of girls and women within the world and the family. Although there are moments of good storytelling, this title is too dated to be recommended for purchase.-Erin Drankwalter Wyatt, Palombi School, Lake Villa, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.