The Old Bell

Name: The Old Bell
Author: Annie Fellows Johnston

A young girl named Eliza and her family move to a small town in Kentucky after the death of her father. She finds solace in an old bell that hangs in the local church tower, which she believes has a special connection to her deceased father. The story follows Eliza's journey as she learns about the history of the bell and the people who have been touched by it over the years. Through her experiences, Eliza comes to understand the importance of tradition, community, and the power of memories to shape our lives.

By Annie Fellows Johnston · First published 1908 · Genre: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Adventure · 138 words

First lines

THE vines have grown so thick and twined so strong, With clinging hold, about the bell that swings In the old tower, that now it never rings.

No one has heard its voice for seasons long.

Sit by me on the broken belfry stair, And I will tell the simple tale to you Of those whose graves through yonder arch you view, Scattered about the churchyard, here and there.

Ah me! How closely memory's tendrils twine About the heart, and choke the words that spring.

What this Textopian page supports

The Old Bell is listed on Textopian as a short story by Annie Fellows Johnston, dated 1908 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Annie Fellows Johnston
Date: 1908 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Adventure, Mystery
Length: 138 words
Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Old Bell by Annie Fellows Johnston
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters

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Genres

Children's Literature — Annie Fellows Johnston is a renowned author in children’s literature. This category is justified as her book 'The Old Bell' is written in a simplistic language that is accessible for young readers with morals and lessons that are commonly found in children’s literature.
Historical Fiction — The book gives a historical context as it’s set in past circumstances focusing on the life and adventures of the characters during that period. This justification makes it qualified to be placed under the genre of historical fiction.
Adventure — The plot revolves around the characters' adventures and experiences which makes this genre a relevant category for 'The Old Bell'.
Mystery — As the plot of 'The Old Bell' further develops, there are series of events that cause intrigue and suspense keeping readers on edge about what would happen next, qualifying it into the Mystery genre.