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Autumn Street by Lois Lowry: An Enduring Classic of American Literature

John Updike

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Published in Autumn Street Lois Lowry

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Lois Lowry's 1990 novel, Autumn Street, is a poignant and moving story about a young girl named Annmarie who is sent to live with her grandmother after her mother's death. The novel follows Annmarie as she struggles to adjust to her new life, make friends, and come to terms with her loss.

Autumn Street

by Lois Lowry

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5711 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	194 pages

Characters

Annmarie Lampkin: The protagonist of the novel, Annmarie is a 12-year-old girl who is sent to live with her grandmother in Rhode Island after her mother's death. Annmarie is a quiet and introspective girl who struggles to make friends and fit in at her new school.

Eleanor Lampkin: Annmarie's grandmother, Eleanor is a kind and loving woman who welcomes Annmarie into her home. However, Eleanor is also a strict disciplinarian who expects Annmarie to follow her rules.

Brendan Keenan: Annmarie's next-door neighbor, Brendan is a friendly and outgoing boy who becomes Annmarie's first friend in Rhode Island. Brendan helps Annmarie to adjust to her new life and introduces her to the neighborhood children.

Miss Whiting: Annmarie's teacher, Miss Whiting is a caring and supportive woman who encourages Annmarie to read and write. Miss Whiting helps Annmarie to find her voice and to express her feelings about her mother's death.

Plot

The novel begins with Annmarie's arrival at her grandmother's house on Autumn Street. Annmarie is immediately overwhelmed by her new surroundings and the loss of her mother. However, with the help of Brendan and Miss Whiting, Annmarie slowly begins to adjust to her new life.

As Annmarie spends more time on Autumn Street, she learns more about her grandmother and her mother. She discovers that her mother was a talented artist and that she had a close relationship with her grandmother. Annmarie also learns about the history of Autumn Street and the people who have lived there.

As the novel progresses, Annmarie faces a number of challenges. She struggles to fit in at her new school, she misses her mother, and she has difficulty dealing with her grandmother's strict rules. However, with the support of her friends and family, Annmarie eventually overcomes these challenges and finds her place in the world.

Literary Significance

Autumn Street is a classic of American literature that has been enjoyed by generations of readers. The novel is praised for its realistic portrayal of childhood, its exploration of the themes of family, friendship, and grief, and its beautiful writing style.

Autumn Street is a coming-of-age story that follows Annmarie as she navigates the challenges of adolescence. The novel explores the themes of family, friendship, and grief, and it shows how Annmarie learns to cope with the loss of her mother and to find her place in the world.

Autumn Street is also a well-written novel. Lowry's prose is clear and concise, and she creates a vivid and memorable setting. The novel is full of rich details that bring the characters and the setting to life.

Autumn Street is a classic of American literature that deserves to be read by all. The novel is a moving and inspiring story about a young girl who learns to overcome adversity and to find her place in the world.

Autumn Street

by Lois Lowry

4.5 out of 5