The Quarter-Pie Window

by Marianne Brandis

Selected by the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association as one of the PSLA YA Top Forty Fiction Titles 2003


Flames are bright against the night sky. Thirteen-year-old Emma watches with horrified fascination as they consume the family’s log cabin, leaving her and her younger brother orphaned. These three books are set in the early 1830s. Emma’s grief and shock, and her bravery in building a new life, are timeless.

Marianne Brandis’s vivid evocation of pioneer life in Upper Canada – the texture of the log cabin, the sights and smells of harvest, the raw cold of outdoor chores at dawn – has been delighting readers since the first book was first published in 1982.

Genres: Historical Fiction

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Connect with Marianne

Marianne Brandis was born in the Netherlands and came to Canada when she was nearly nine. She is the author of 15 book-length works, both fiction and nonfiction, most of which have a strong historical element. For details please see www.mariannebrandis.ca. Her latest book is THIS FAITHFUL BOOK: A Diary from World War Two in the Netherlands.

For more insights into Marianne's work and into the life of a writer, please see:

Guest Post for The Porcupine's Quill about the relationship between imagination and research
Interview with Dr. Jessie Voigts of Wandering Educator

Reviews

[Mrs · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book poorly written. None of the mysteries from the first book "The Tinderbox" were dealt with to my satisfaction. I tolerated that in the first book because I thought the loose ends would be tied up in the sequel. They weren’t. There is very little character development. There is no real historical insight. There are several mentions of lecherous men trying to abuse girls. In fact the only thing the main character learns about her mother’s life in York is that she was raped. This seems to be a theme in this author’s books.

[Shannie Joy Kosman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely window into what York city life (now Toronto) looked like in the 1830’s. More so, what seems to be a valid understanding of what kind of adulthood is thrust upon two siblings still necessary to be under guardianship. Well researched to a thoughtful ending.

[Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book. The timeline in this book seemed to be off since I think it said it happened in a month's time but it seemed like there was a major change in seasons during that time. Felt bad for this girl who went to live with her aunt after her parents' died, thinking her aunt was going to take care of her but instead she used her as a maid/servant for her hotel.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful story depicting life in Upper Canada in the 1830's (York). A well written historical novel which brings the reader into the time period.