Ower the Hedge by George MacDonald
"Over the Hedge" by George MacDonald is a fantasy novel about a group of animals who live in a forest and must band together to survive when their home is threatened by humans. The story follows the adventures of the main character, a hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants, as he tries to protect his friends from danger while also learning important lessons about friendship and loyalty.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Drama · 527 words
First lines
I. "Bonny lassie, rosy lassie, Ken ye what is care?
Had ye ever a thought, lassie, Made yer hertie sair?"
What this Textopian page supports
Ower the Hedge is listed on Textopian as a short story by George MacDonald, dated 1863 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Drama, Historical Fiction, War
- Length: 527 words
- Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Ower the Hedge by George MacDonald
- 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 Ower the Hedge?
- How does this short story by George MacDonald fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Early Bird by George Macdonald
- I Ken Something by George Macdonald
- Willies Question by George Macdonald
- Gutta Percha Willie by George Macdonald
- My Two Geniuses by George Macdonald
- Up In The Tree by George Macdonald
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Romance — The central theme revolves around love and relationships, particularly between Johnnie and Mally.
- Drama — The narrative includes emotional and dramatic elements, such as Johnnie's return from war and the tension in his relationship with Mally.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context suggest a historical period, with references to war and traditional Scottish culture.
Tags
fantasy · children's literature · adventure · imagination · friendship · morality · nature · animals · whimsy · growth · self-discovery · family