Behind the White Brick
The story revolves around a young girl who discovers a mysterious white brick in her family's old mansion. As she uncovers the secrets behind the brick, she learns about her family's dark past and the tragic fate of a former occupant of the house. Through her journey, the protagonist develops courage, empathy, and a deeper understanding of herself and those around her.
By Frances Hodgson Burnett · First published 1909 · Genre: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure · 6,159 words
First lines
It began with Aunt Hetty's being out of temper, which, it must be confessed, was nothing new. At its best, Aunt Hetty's temper was none of the most charming, and this morning it was at its worst. She had awakened to the consciousness of having a hard day's work before her, and she had awakened late, and so everything had gone wrong from the first. There was a sharp ring in her voice when she came to Jem's bedroom door and called out, "Jemima, get up this minute!"
What this Textopian page supports
Behind the White Brick is listed on Textopian as a novella by Frances Hodgson Burnett, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Children's Literature, Adventure, Coming-of-Age, Magical Realism
- Length: 6,159 words
- Structure: 1 section, 180 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Behind the White Brick by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Behind the White Brick?
- How does this novella by Frances Hodgson Burnett fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- Up In The Tree by George Macdonald
- Flips Islands Of Providence by Annie Fellows Johnston
Genres
- Fantasy — The story involves magical elements, such as Jem being lifted up the chimney and entering a fantastical realm behind the white brick.
- Children's Literature — The narrative is aimed at a young audience, featuring a child protagonist and themes relatable to children, such as imagination and adventure.
- Adventure — Jem's journey into a new world and her encounters with various characters represent a classic adventure narrative.
- Coming-of-Age — The story explores themes of growth and understanding, as Jem navigates her feelings and beliefs about the world.
Tags
childhood · imagination · friendship · adventure · nature · self-discovery · fantasy · innocence · growth · family · secrets · exploration