The Changeling (novel)

The Changeling (novel)

"The Changeling" is a young adult novel by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. This book was first published in 1970. It was awarded a Christopher Award and named an outstanding book for young people by the Junior Library Guild.

Plot

The novel's plot follows the developing friendship of two adolescent girls: shy and worried Martha and free-spirited, imaginative Ivy. Ivy belonged to the shunned, criminal Carson family, who lived in a run-down house at the edge of town. But Ivy was not a typical Carson. Ivy explains it to Martha when they first meet by saying that she is a changeling, a child of supernatural parents who had been exchanged for the real Ivy Carson at birth. Martha comes from a well-to-do family completely in thrall to suburban values, and very suspicious of Ivy due to her background. The girls become friends in the second grade, and soon are inseparable.

They play regularly and develop an elaborate fantasy world. As they grow older and enter their teen years, Ivy longs to be a dancer, and pushes Martha into a career in dramatics. Martha becomes more and more brave, bolstered by Ivy’s encouragement. However, Ivy’s family’s reputation means she is never able to get a fair chance. She is blamed for anything that goes wrong at her school, or at Martha’s house. Eventually, the girls are separated when Ivy is accused of vandalism (actually committed by Martha's brother and other upper-middle-class boys). Ivy's family flees town, and Martha is left to make more shallow friendships with classmates.

upporting information

The novel is written in flashback, with the beginning and ending of the book describing Martha awaiting Ivy's return, and reflecting on Ivy's influence on her growth.

Dr. Snyder has said that both the fantasy game played by the girls in "The Changeling" and its evolution into the Green-sky series originated in childhood games she herself played in Ojai, California with relatives.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Changeling (novel) — Changeling   Cover illustration from the first edition (Paperback) …   Wikipedia

  • Creature of the Night (novel) — For book by Sal Piro, see Creatures of the Night (non fiction book). For other, see Creature of the night. Creature of the Night   …   Wikipedia

  • Changeling (disambiguation) — A changeling is a figure in West European folklore. (The) Changeling or Changelings may also refer to: In film and television: Changeling (film), a 2008 American drama film The Changeling (film), a 1980 Canadian horror film The Changeling (Star… …   Wikipedia

  • The Dark Tower (1977 novel) — The Dark Tower is a novel written by C. S. Lewis that appears to be the beginning of an abandoned science fiction novel intended as a sequel to Out of the Silent Planet . Perelandra instead became the second book of Lewis Space Trilogy, concluded …   Wikipedia

  • The Ultimate Computer — Star Trek: The Original Series episode The M5 computer Episode no. Episode 53 …   Wikipedia

  • The Doomsday Machine (Star Trek: The Original Series) — The Doomsday Machine Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Constellation enters the planet killer. Episode no. Episode 35 …   Wikipedia

  • The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (film) — The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz Directed by Ted Kotcheff Produced by John Kem …   Wikipedia

  • The Old Law — The Old Law, or A New Way to Please You is a seventeenth century tragicomedy written by Thomas Middleton, William Rowley, and Philip Massinger. It was first published in 1656, but is generally thought to have been written about four decades… …   Wikipedia

  • The Trouble With Tribbles — Star Trek: The Original Series episode Captain Kirk up to his chest in tribbles Episode no. Episode 44 …   Wikipedia

  • The Spanish Curate — is a late Jacobean era stage play, a comedy written by John Fletcher and Philip Massinger. It premiered on the stage in 1622, and was first published in 1647.Date and sourceThe play was licensed for production by Sir Henry Herbert, the Master of… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”