The Underneath

by Kathi Appelt Illustrated by David Small

Abandoned and about to have kittens, a calico cat is befriended by a hound dog who urges her to raise her kittens underneath the porch of his owner's house, where they will be safe from Gar Face — as long as they stay in the Underneath.

This harrowing yet sweet story is a tale about the power of love and hate.

Illustrations.

2009 Newbery Honor Book

2008 National Book Award Finalist

Ages: 11, 12, 10
Interest Level: Grades 5 - 7
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.4
Lexile Measure: 830L
Book Type: Chapter Book
Number of Pages: 313
Genre: Adventure

About the Author and Illustrator

Kathi Appelt

David Small David Small won the 2001 Caldecott Medal for his illustration of "So You Want to Be President", written by by Judith St. George. Small works with watercolor, pen and ink, and pastel. His trademark attention to small details begs readers to pore over his work again and again.