The House on Maple Street

[Mr. Saulnier]

My 8th grade enrichment class and I just finished reading "The House on Maple Street" and we had a few questions. We're trying to get into the mind of an author as we will soon be writing our own stories based on a Harris Burdick picture. We are assuming authors know much more about their stories and characters than what they actually tell the readers and that certain things are left out intentionally to allow readers to make their own choices.

Our questions:
1. Where did the metal come from? and is it linked at all to the mother's migraines?
2. What happened to their biological father? Does this information have an effect on the characters of the siblings?
3. Are the characters based on real people?
4. Was this supposed to be something that really happened, or is it a fantasy of one of the children (some of us assumed it was Trent's dream)?
5. Was it a conscious choice to deviate a little from the picture? We noticed that in the story, he describes what is happening at 3:30 in the afternoon during a thunderstorm, and (we assume) the basement has to go with the house because the control center is there. In the picture it is nighttime, no storm, and no basement.

I will gladly read other's thoughts on these questions, but, again, we're really looking for a writer's insight to help young authors begin a path of discovery.

Thanks!

 

[Spideyman]

Hi and welcome.

 

[GNTLGNT]

....I refuse to do my homework and you can't make me!......

 

[Walter Oobleck]

your #5 reminds me of another...cover, I think it was. But, alas, I've forgotten what cover. Heh! Isn't that always the case? Anyway...as I recall the cover in question didn't have anything to do with the story or it was..."wrong". Wish I could remember what cover it was, but I believed whoever did the artwork for the cover did not read the story. Maybe that is the case here, too. Still, that is a cool photo or pic, house blasting off. And yeah, I had the sense the house really launched into orbit.

 

[Neesy]

My 8th grade enrichment class and I just finished reading "The House on Maple Street" and we had a few questions. We're trying to get into the mind of an author as we will soon be writing our own stories based on a Harris Burdick picture. We are assuming authors know much more about their stories and characters than what they actually tell the readers and that certain things are left out intentionally to allow readers to make their own choices.

Our questions:
1. Where did the metal come from? and is it linked at all to the mother's migraines?
2. What happened to their biological father? Does this information have an effect on the characters of the siblings?
3. Are the characters based on real people?
4. Was this supposed to be something that really happened, or is it a fantasy of one of the children (some of us assumed it was Trent's dream)?
5. Was it a conscious choice to deviate a little from the picture? We noticed that in the story, he describes what is happening at 3:30 in the afternoon during a thunderstorm, and (we assume) the basement has to go with the house because the control center is there. In the picture it is nighttime, no storm, and no basement.

I will gladly read other's thoughts on these questions, but, again, we're really looking for a writer's insight to help young authors begin a path of discovery.

Thanks!

It's a fantasy - the children want to be rid of their step-father

Great story!

Welcome to the SKMB Mr. Saulnier

 

[king family fan]

 

[Spideyman]

Mr. Saulnier -- I am not familiar with this link or it's accuracy, but you might be able to find some answers within the "analyzing the story"

Spoiler: link

House On Maple Street - Home