The Heavenly Tenants

by William Maxwell

Book Overview

"This is a lovely introduction to the constellations of the zodiac for children, and readers of all ages will be enthralled by the evocative scratchboard illustrations. The Dover production is a... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0930407253
• ISBN13: 9780930407254
• Release Date: January 1992
• Publisher: Parabola Books
• Length: 60 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.9" x 9.8"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

The Kind Of Book You Look Forward To Reading Again

"The Heavenly Tenants" tells the story of the Marvell family: Mr. and Mrs. Marvell, Roger, age 11, Heather, age 8, Tim and Tom, both age 5. The Marvells are going to visit thechildren's grandmother in Virginia. But before they leave, Mr. Marvell, who is always interested in something, and now it is stars, tells the children about the zodiac: the bull, the twins, the crab, the lion, the little girl, the scales, the archer, the goat, the water carrier, the fish, and the ram. He also tells them about the changing sky. The next morning, their workman, August, does not show up, and the family leaves without knowing that he wouldn't come for three weeks. When they get to grandmother's house, Mr. Marvell tells the children a story about how a man finds stars in the daytime. He also tells them what symbol they are: Roger=Sagittarius, Tim and Tom=Gemini. ThemnMr. Marvell decides to find Cancer, the crab. This same night, Jim Hickathier is disturbed by a light coming from the Marvells' house. He and his father Drive over to the Marvells' house, where there are several cars gathered around the shining house. The next night, the same thind happens. And now everyone is asking, Wheres August? He's home with a hurting hip, as the town discovers. Then, not to long after, August goes on a walk. On his walk, he sees the shining house. He also sees a golden lion weather vane, 2 hue fish, an archer, a bull, a ram, a goat, the twins, a man carrying 2 pails that hold a crab and a scorpion. August' hip is quickly healed. Weeks later, the crab is in the sky, and the family is home. Their things are covered with a starlike dust, and new flowers have appeared. Mrs. Marvell weighs 0.25 pounds! Will they ever be aware of their zodiac guests? This book may be only 58 pages, but thise words say a lot. This book may be fiction, but I know that the author must have researched as much as someone who may be writing a George Washington biography. Beautiful illustrations! For ages 9-15.