No Room in the Well

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

This sequel to The Girl in the Well continues the “growing-up” story
of Corinne Kragh, a preteen girl who lives with her immigrant parents in
their two-room log house in Saskatchewan’s bush country. Spring 1934
brings further changes to Corinne’s life, with most serving either to
reinforce her feelings of loneliness or to fuel a growing sense of
worthlessness. Lightning kills Moses, the farm horse in whom Corinne
confided her innermost thoughts, while her father’s return from his
seasonal urban job means she is no longer needed for farm chores. Partly
balancing Corinne’s losses are new “friends” April Brimmicombe, a
recent school arrival, and another horse, Queen, plus her colt, Pettie.

However, the pending birth of a sibling causes Corinne great
discomfort, and she questions where she will “fit,” both physically
and emotionally, when the baby arrives. Answers in the form of suicide
and running away are two options Corinne considers. All ends well,
however, as Corinne discovers a new purpose as caregiver to her mother
and infant brother. Even Corinne’s imaginary friend “Me” (aka
“the girl in the well”), who had been crowded out by spring’s
rising water table, finds refuge in a mirror in the bedroom newly and
specially constructed for Corinne by her father.

Beeler’s careful attention to detail helps to re-create both the
period and place setting. Readers in Grades 4 to 6, especially those who
have enjoyed Bernice Thurman Hunter’s “Booky” and “Margaret”
series, will appreciate Beeler’s Corinne and eagerly await further
instalments. Recommended.