The Underneath

An abandoned calico cat finds refuge beneath a dilapidated house in the bayous along the Texas-Louisiana border. The cat befriends Ranger, a chained hound dog who lives under the porch, and soon gives birth to two kittens in this hidden sanctuary they call the Underneath. Their world exists in the shadow of Gar Face, a cruel man who keeps Ranger chained and hunts the creatures of the bayou. The cats must stay hidden in their safe haven beneath the house, as Gar Face poses a constant threat to their survival. The story intertwines ancient Caddo legends with the present-day narrative, connecting the deep magic of the bayou to the lives of these animals. The tale moves between timeframes and perspectives, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected stories. The Underneath explores themes of love, loyalty, and survival against forces of cruelty, while examining the bonds that form between the most unlikely of creatures. The novel speaks to the enduring power of family - both given and chosen.

Readers note the book's unique dual narrative structure and poetic, lyrical writing style. Many found the themes of love, loyalty and redemption moving, with the animal characters particularly resonating with younger readers. Liked: - Beautiful descriptive language and imagery - Emotional depth and complex characters - Integration of Native American folklore - Meaningful messages about family bonds Disliked: - Darker themes and violence too intense for target age group - Slow pacing, especially in early chapters - Confusing timeline shifts between storylines - Some found the writing style overly flowery Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Several teachers reported success using it as a classroom read-aloud despite initial hesitation about the content. Multiple reviewers mentioned crying while reading, though some parents expressed concern about death/abuse scenes being too heavy for middle grade readers. The book received mixed feedback regarding age-appropriateness.

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🔸 The novel won a Newbery Honor in 2009, marking Kathi Appelt's first major literary award for children's literature. 🔸 Caddo Indian mythology, featured prominently in the book, originates from one of the most powerful Native American tribes that once controlled much of East Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. 🔸 The East Texas-Louisiana bayou setting showcases a unique ecosystem where cypress trees can live for over 1,000 years, creating the perfect backdrop for the story's timeless elements. 🔸 Before writing The Underneath, Kathi Appelt worked primarily as a poet and picture book author, making this her breakthrough novel-length work. 🔸 The book incorporates shape-shifting serpents, a motif found in many Native American cultures, where these creatures often represent both wisdom and transformation.