Other Reading
If you enjoyed Schoolhouse, you may enjoy the following books in which early 20th century schooling is featured:
Aksomitis , Linda
Adeline's Dream
12-year-old Adeline, a turn-of-the-century German immigrant to Saskatchewan, faces prejudice from bullies at school and resentment towards her family in the community, but perseveres to make a place for herself in her new country.
Avi
The Secret School
In 1925, living in a remote Colorado town, fourteen-year-old Ida is desperate to finish her school year, and go on to high school. Her teacher's early departure forces her to take things into her own hands and secretly become the teacher of the one-room schoolhouse.
Ellis, Sarah
Next-door neighbors
Peggy, a minister's daughter moves to Vancouver in 1957, where, despite community disapproval, she befriends a young Russian immigrant and the Chinese gardener who works next door.
Montgomery, L.M.
The Anne of Green Gables series
These Canadian classics tell the story of an unwanted orphan, as she attends finds a home and attends school in a small Prince Edward Island town. Through the series, she overcomes community prejudice, builds family life, and goes on to become a teacher herself.
A number of Montgomery's other books also deal with coming-of-age, turn-of-the-century children's experiences with rural schools, especially Emily of New Moon, Rilla of Ingleside and Jane of Lantern Hill. The first book has also been turned into a very popular musical.
Pictured: Cover of boxed set, published by Skylark, 1987.
Roy, Gabrielle
Children of My Heart
For advanced readers, this novel's protagonist is "Mamzelle", a young teacher in a 1930s Manitoba town. Based on Roy's own experiences as a teacher, the novel focuses on Mamzelle's relationship with her students.
Stratton-Porter , Gene
A Girl of the Limberlost
The novel, written by the author mentioned in the play, is set in Indiana. Most of the action takes place either in or around the Limberlost Swamp, or in the nearby town of Onabasha.
The novel's heroine Elnora Comstock is a poor girl who lives with her widowed mother Katharine Comstock on the edge of the Limberlost Swamp. At the beginning of the novel, Elnora is just beginning high school, where her unfashionable dress adds to her difficulty blending in with the other students. Lack of money for tuition and books nearly derails her continued enrollment. These difficulties are resolved through the kindness of her neighbours Wesley and Margaret Sinton, and by her enterprising scheme to gather and sell artifacts and rare moths from the Limberlost Swamp.
Return to Main Page (or see Menu, at right)