The Cinder Pond

by Carroll Watson Rankin

Leopold Classic Library is delighted to publish this classic book as part of our extensive collection. As part of our on-going commitment to delivering value to the reader, we have also provided you with a link to a website, where you may download a digital version of this work for free. Many of the books in our collection have been out of print for decades, and therefore have not been accessible to the general public. Whilst the books in this collection have not been hand curated, an aim of our publishing program is to facilitate rapid access to this vast reservoir of literature. As a result of this book being first published many decades ago, it may have occasional imperfections. These imperfections may include poor picture quality, blurred or missing text. While some of these imperfections may have appeared in the original work, others may have resulted from the scanning process that has been applied. However, our view is that this is a significant literary work, which deserves to be brought back into print after many decades. While some publishers have applied optical character recognition (OCR), this approach has its own drawbacks, which include formatting errors, misspelt words, or the presence of inappropriate characters. Our philosophy has been guided by a desire to provide the reader with an experience that is as close as possible to ownership of the original work. We hope that you will enjoy this wonderful classic book, and that the occasional imperfection that it might contain will not detract from the experience.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1915

About the author

Carroll Watson Rankin is the pen name of American author Caroline Clement Watson Rankin. Mrs. Rankin was born in Marquette, Michigan and became a reporter at age 16. She remained a reporter until her marriage to Ernest Rankin in 1886. They had four children.

Her best known work is her first book, Dandelion Cottage, published in 1904.

Mrs Rankin died in 1945.

Alternate spellings: Carroll, Caroll, Carrol, Carol, Carolyn, Caroline

Reviews

[Carol Bakker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title signals that this is a fairy-tale, and our sweet Jeannette Huntington Duval is 'Cinderella'. It has the requisite elements: a close relationship with her father, a stepmother (lazy, not wicked), grinding poverty, and taunting classmates.

This book reminded me of another great story, Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms by Katherine Rundell. Zimbabwe is different than Jeanne's Lake Superior, but it also has a smart girl who grew up a "savage" in the wild who navigates life in society with class distinctions, unfamiliar customs, and confusing expectations.

Our story ends as all good fairy tales do, reuniting loved ones with great hope for happily ever after.

My spit-the-tea-out laughing spasm came after Jeanne, 10, was discovered skinny dipping in the fountain at 4:00 a.m. Her aunt quizzes her.
"Are you sure no one has seen you?"
"Only a policeman. He was on horseback. You see, I frightened a blue-jay and he squawked. The policeman stopped to see what had frightened him, but I pretended I was part of the statue in the middle of the fountain."
Uncle Charles suddenly choked over his coffee. Her grandfather, too, began suddenly to cough. Dignified James (a butler), standing unobserved near the wall, actually bolted from the room.

I'm grateful Beverly Clearly mentioned Carroll Watson Rankin in an interview. This is my second CWR read, and I look forward to more.

[Kimbolimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet read. Sort of a mix between Pollyanna, Anne of Green Gables and The Little Princess. I bet this would be a fun read for a girl between the ages of 10 and 13.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will say, I remember enjoying this more the first time I read it, but it could just be that I've been moody lately. Which is a nice word for "grumpy." This time I noticed the writer's condescending attitude to all and sundry of her characters more. Jeanne's father is "a gentleman" but ineffectual, his wife is crude and slovenly (and Irish, which is almost as big a sin in Rankin's eyes as being Native American was in the Dandelion Cottage stories), the rich relations are cold and nasty. All of this, of course, serves to highlight Our Heroine's goodness and innate good breeding (which, btw, she of course got from her supposedly-useless father and of-course-deceased mother, who came from the cold rich family!). It all comes right in the end of course, with the addition of a dear, ignorant old Cap'n and his silent partner, and the spice of a missing will.

[Alyssa Bohon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story! It is in some ways a typical rags to riches plot, a little like Heidi, a little like the various tales of Louisa May Alcott or L.M.Montgomery, but it certainly stands on its own warm-hearted merits, despite some very typical characters, like an icy Aunt Agatha and a bluff old Captain. The characters are lovable (except for the ones that are not) and each chapter was like a dish of comfort food. Happy ending all round, of course!

[Amy Griffith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book enjoyable, but it wasn't as sweet and lovely as The Dandelion Cottage. The main character has a number of real challenges to face, and there are some sad and disturbing events in the book. Still, the ending is sweet, and the book is a little less predictable than a lot of other books written for children.

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot more oldfashioned than I expected. Some racism, classism(her dad!), and other issues really don't help.

Also, the author's unsatisfactory conclusion didn't help.

If you like The 5 Little Peppers, Pollyanna, etc. this is for you.

[Laura Hodgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and old fashioned.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

just so sweet

A lovely book for older kids with wonderful life lessons. The times are simple but the principles are true and timeless.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. Typical orphan rags-to-riches story, but still different enough to hold the reader's interest. Jeannette was a likable character.

[Jenna Scribbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked Anne of Green Gables I encourage you to pick up this sweet book. I enjoyed it very much. It would make a great choice for young accelerated readers - especially girls.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

As many have written, this book has an L.M. Montgomery feel to it. But it doesn't come up to the quality of Rankin's other book, Dandelion Cottage. Still, it's a light, fun, clean read.

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sad but enjoyable story with a wonderfully happy ending.