Number One North Rainbow

The story revolves around a young boy who lives with his mother and stepfather on the outskirts of a small town. The boy's father has abandoned him, leaving behind only a mysterious letter that hints at a dark family secret. As the boy navigates his complicated relationships with his mother and stepfather, he begins to uncover clues about his father's past and the truth behind the letter.

By John Arthur Barry · First published 1975 · Genre: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery · 6,167 words

First lines

‘Another duffer!'

‘Rank as ever was bottomed!'

What this Textopian page supports

Number One North Rainbow is listed on Textopian as a short story by John Arthur Barry, dated 1975 CE.

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

• Work type: Short story
• Author: John Arthur Barry
• Date: 1975 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Drama, Thriller
• Length: 6,167 words
• Structure: 1 section, 139 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Number One North Rainbow by John Arthur Barry
• 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 Number One North Rainbow?
• How does this short story by John Arthur Barry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Adventure first become important in the reading?

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• Border Snowstorms by John Lang
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• The Distant Drums by Marjorie Pickthall
• The Bond Of Friendship by Hans Christian Andersen
• The Third Generation by Marjorie Pickthall

Genres

• Adventure — The plot revolves around the experiences of prospectors searching for gold, highlighting the challenges and dangers of their quest.
• Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, reflecting the gold rush era and its impact on individuals and society.
• Mystery — Elements of suspense and the unknown, particularly surrounding the haunted claim and the fate of the characters, create a mystery throughout the story.
• Drama — The emotional struggles and interpersonal dynamics between characters, especially in the face of hardship, contribute to the dramatic elements of the narrative.

Tags

Coming-of-Age · Literary Fiction · Australian Literature · Family Drama · Social Realism · Poverty · Childhood Trauma · Identity Crisis · Small Town Life · Isolation · Friendship · Growing Up

More by John Arthur Barry

• The League of Ancient Mariners (1906)
• The Passage of the Palmetto (1899)
• The Ship and Her Master (1904)
• H.M.S. Pylades, The Last of Her Class (1904)
• The Pilot Service of Port Jackson (1902)
• With Young Germany on Shipboard (1905)
• How They Came Out in the Fifties (1904)
• Norfolk Island (1905)
• All works by John Arthur Barry