Downright Dencey

Last updated
Downright Dencey
"Downright Dencey" first edition book cover.jpg
Author Caroline Snedeker
Illustrator Maginel Wright Barney
GenreChildren's historical novel
Publisher Doubleday
Publication date
1927
Pages314
ISBN 1-883937-79-5
OCLC 317855938
Followed byThe Beckoning Road 

Downright Dencey is a 1927 children's historical novel by Caroline Dale Snedeker. The novel, illustrated by Maginel Wright Barney, was first published in 1927 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1928. [1]

Contents

Plot

The story is set in Nantucket, Massachusetts shortly after the War of 1812, and deals with the unlikely friendship between a Quaker girl, Dencey Coffyn, and Jetsam, the adopted son of the town drunk. Their friendship was formed when Dencey sought his forgiveness for hurting him with a stone. In exchange for his forgiveness, she taught him to read and they became even closer which was met with disapproval by her mother. The reason for this was because Jetsam was a socially outcast boy who displayed characteristics not in keeping with Quakerism. However, Dencey refused to part ways with Jetsam leading her mother to banish her to her room with only bread and water as punishment. Nevertheless, the friendship grew even stronger to the point where Jetsam saved Dencey's life from a deadly storm. She was trapped in it while attempting to save him from accepting a job with the horrible Professor Snubshoe. Afterwards, he gained favor with Dencey's family who adopted him and helped him to transform into an admirable young man. As Dencey and Jetsam grew closer and older, they developed romantic feelings for each other. Finally, Jetsam asked Dencey to marry him. [2]

Characters

Sequel

A sequel, The Beckoning Road, was published in 1929. It follows the fortunes of Dencey's family as they move to Indiana and join the utopian community of New Harmony. [3]

Related Research Articles

Cynthia Rylant is an American author and librarian. She has written more than 100 children's books, including works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Several of her books have won awards, including her novel Missing May, which won the 1993 Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, which was a 1987 Newbery Honor book. Two of her books are Caldecott Honor Books.

<i>Ella Enchanted</i> 1997 novel by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted is a Newbery Honor book written by Gail Carson Levine and published in 1997. The story is a retelling of Cinderella featuring various mythical creatures including fairies, elves, ogres, gnomes, and giants. In 2006, Levine went on to write Fairest, a retelling of the story of Snow White, set in the same world as Ella Enchanted. In 2018, Levine published Ogre Enchanted, a prequel to Ella Enchanted.

<i>Hoot</i> (novel) 2002 novel by Carl Hiaasen

Hoot is a 2002 mystery/suspense novel, recommended for ages 9–12, by Carl Hiaasen. The setting takes place in Florida, where new arrival Roy makes two oddball friends and a bad enemy, and joins an effort to stop construction of a pancake house which would destroy a colony of burrowing owls who live on the site. The book won a Newbery Honor award in 2003.

<i>Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry</i> 1976 novel by Mildred D. Taylor

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is a 1977 novel by Mildred D. Taylor. Part of her Logan family series, it is a sequel to her 1975 novella Song of the Trees. It won the 1977 Newbery Medal.

<i>Dobry</i>

Dobry is a book by Monica Shannon first published in 1934 that won the Newbery Medal for most distinguished contribution to American literature for children in 1935. Bulgarian-born sculptor Atanas Katchamakoff illustrated the book.

<i>Its Like This, Cat</i>

It's Like This, Cat is a novel by American writer Emily Cheney Neville, which won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1964. It's Like This, Cat was Neville's first book.

<i>If There Be Thorns</i> 1981 novel by Virginia C. Andrews

If There Be Thorns is a novel by Virginia C. Andrews which was published in 1981. It is the third book in the Dollanganger series. The story takes place in the year 1982. A Lifetime movie of the same name premiered on April 5, 2015.

<i>Ramona and Her Father</i> Novel by Beverly Cleary

Ramona and Her Father is the fourth book in Beverly Cleary's popular Ramona Quimby series. In this humorous children's novel, Mr. Quimby loses his job and Ramona thinks up ways to earn money and help her family out. Published in 1977, Ramona and Her Father was a Newbery Honor Book.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marguerite de Angeli</span> American novelist

Marguerite de Angeli was an American writer and illustrator of children's books including the 1950 Newbery Award winning book The Door in the Wall. She wrote and illustrated twenty-eight of her own books, and illustrated more than three dozen books and numerous magazine stories and articles for other authors.

<i>I, Juan de Pareja</i> 1965 childrens novel by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño

I, Juan de Pareja is a novel by American writer Elizabeth Borton de Treviño, which won the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1966.

<i>The Moorchild</i> 1996 childrens novel by Eloise McGraw

The Moorchild is a 1996 children's novel by Eloise McGraw that centers on the life of a changeling girl. The novel draws heavily on Irish and European folklore about changelings, leprechauns, and fairies.

<i>The Book Thief</i> Novel by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is a historical fiction novel by the Australian author Markus Zusak, set in Nazi Germany during World War II. Published in 2005, The Book Thief became an international bestseller and was translated into 63 languages and sold 16 million copies. It was adapted into the 2013 feature film, The Book Thief.

The Tillerman Cycle is a series of children's novels by the author Cynthia Voigt. Currently there are seven titles in the series.

<i>Feathers</i> (novel) Novel by Jacqueline Woodson

Feathers is a children's historical novel by Jacqueline Woodson that was first published in 2007. The story is about a sixth-grade girl named Frannie growing up in the '70s. One day an unexpected new student causes much chaos to the class because he is the only white boy in the whole school. Feathers grapples with concepts such as religion, race, hope, and understanding. The book examines what it was like to grow up right after segregation had been outlawed, how all people are equal, and that hope is everywhere. The book was a Newbery Honor winner in 2008.

<i>When You Reach Me</i> American childrens novel, 2009

When You Reach Me is a Newbery Medal-winning science fiction and mystery novel by Rebecca Stead, published in 2009. It takes place on the Upper West Side of New York during 1978 and 1979 and follows a sixth-grade girl named Miranda Sinclair. After Miranda finds a strange note, which is unsigned and addressed only to "M," in her school library book, a mystery is set into motion—one which Miranda ultimately must face alone. At the same time, Miranda juggles school, relationships with her peers, and helping her mom prepare to be on the game show The $20,000 Pyramid. Important characters in the story include Miranda's mother; Richard, her mom's good-natured boyfriend; Sal, Miranda's childhood best friend; and a homeless man who lives on Miranda's block and is referred to only as "the laughing man." Central themes in the novel include independence, redemption, and friendship.

<i>Indian Captive</i> 1941 book by Lois Lenski

Indian Captive: The Story of Mary Jemison is a children's biographical novel written and illustrated by Lois Lenski. The book was first published in 1941 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1942. Indian Captive is a historical fiction book retelling the life of Mary Jemison, with a few minor twists. The story is very similar to Mary Jemison's true life.

<i>The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg</i> Book by Rodman Philbrick

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg is a historical novel by Rodman Philbrick, author of Freak the Mighty. Set during the American Civil War, it follows the adventures of a boy who is an inveterate teller of tall tales on his quest to find his older brother, a Union soldier. First published in 2009, it was named as a Newbery Honor Book in 2010. The Lexile Level of this book is 950L and the Accelerated Reader (AR) Level is 5.6. This book contains 192 pages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Snedeker</span> American writer

Caroline Dale Snedeker née Parke was an American writer, primarily of children's historical novels. Two of her books, Downright Dencey and The Forgotten Daughter, were runners-up for the Newbery Medal. On occasion she used the pen name Caroline Dale Owen.

<i>One Crazy Summer</i> (novel) 2010 novel by Rita Williams-Garcia

One Crazy Summer is a historical fiction novel by American author Rita Williams-Garcia, published by Amistad in 2010. The novel is about Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern, three sisters, visiting their mother in Oakland, California, during the summer of 1968.

<i>The Loner</i> (childrens novel) 1963 book by Ester Wier

The Loner is a 1963 adolescent novel by author Ester Wier. The Loner was a recipient of the Newbery Honor award in 1964.

References

  1. "Newbery Medal and Honor Books, 1922-Present". American Library Association . Retrieved 2009-12-30.
  2. The Newbery Companion by John Thomas Gillespie and Corinne J. Naden, p.29–30
  3. "Synopsis of "The Beckoning Road"". Ahsp.com. Retrieved 2012-12-24.