The Underneath

Appelt, K. (2008). The underneath. New York, New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Abandoned, pregnant, and needing shelter, a calico cat finds friendship in a hound dog, Ranger. He attempts to protect the cat and her kittens by hiding from Gar Face and his abusive habits underneath his porch. Staying in the underneath will keep them safe as long as the cat and her kittens stay there. When one ventures off, things shift gears and event after event takes place. Apple provides three stories that intertwine with one another. Taking place in the bayou between EastTexas and Louisiana, this text provides a mystic, gothic, and realistic story of the relationship between enemies, cat and dog, and a man who is abusive. Lessons can be presented to older readers to discuss theme, mood, and inferencing with the simplistic illustrations provided throughout the book. The black, white, and gray illustrations use lines to depict the texture amongst the animals, their body structure and hair on their bodies, landscape, the bayou with the water and trees outlined, and materials of non-living items, like Gar Face’s truck.