The Carved Box

by Gillian Chan

Fifteen-year-old Callum Murdoch knows he's a fool. He's just arrived from Scotland, and he's already handed over his money to a total stranger. And for what? A filthy, half-starved dog and a carved box that he's been warned never to open. Now he'll have to explain his impulsive action to Uncle Rory, the only relative willing to give him a home. Callum is unprepared for the grinding physical labor of farm work. His only source of comfort is Dog. She seems to know all his secret wishes and fears. With Dog by his side, Callum gains the courage to face life in the New World. But when the mysterious carved box is accidentally broken open, Callum is faced with astonishing revelations -- and difficult decisions.

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Young Adult

232 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2001

About the author

I am English by birth, Canadian by choice. I live in Dundas, Ontario, with my husband and sometimes my son (he goes to boarding school, and no, it's his choice, not because he is a bad boy!)

I love history, especially anything to do with Norse history and Vikings. Researching any of my historical novels is my idea of fun. I am currently researching the fall of Hong Kong in 1941 to write a book in Scholastic's I Am Canada series from the point of view of a young soldier from Winnipeg.

I also love fantasy and science fiction and still plan to write an epic fantasy based on Norse history and mythology with a few werebears thrown in. I did mention that I love Vikings, didn't I?

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Callum learns the life of hard work that begins in the morning and ended at night on the farm. His Uncle and family are guides for Callum because he has just come from the highlands of Scotland. Arriving in Upper Canada Callum strangely never knew the life of being on a farm before and now befriends with a special dog he found that becomes his partner. Dog and Callum posses a friendship. His grudge against the change in his life stirs Callum a little but with his imagination and his daydreamings Callum begins to relive what he was missing by coming to the farm.

[Jennifer Mook-Sang · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just finished reading the carved box and absolutely loved it. it was a page turner and i enjoyed the language very much, even though i had to go to my dictionary when i was done to make sure i got it all. it gave a wonderful sense of the time but also lent a mystical quality to the story.

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love dog stories. I mean just look at the cover! How could I not pick this out! Inside I found a charming coming-of-age story of a young Irish boy coming to live with his Irish relatives in Upper Canada. And in this harsh environment he acquires a dog............a truly unique dog!

[10-11 Bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book because how dog turned into a girl.