Mother Carey's Chickens

Name: Mother Carey's Chickens
Author: Kate Douglas Wiggin

The story revolves around a group of orphaned children who are sent to live with their aunt on an island off the coast of Maine. The aunt, who is portrayed as being cold and distant, struggles to connect with her nieces and nephews. As the children settle into their new life, they face various challenges and learn valuable lessons about family, love, and acceptance.

By Kate Douglas Wiggin · First published 1911 · Genre: Children's Literature, Family Saga, Coming-of-Age · 35 chapters · 89,375 words

First lines

"By and by there came along a flock of petrels, who are Mother Carey's own chickens. They flitted along like a flock of swallows, hopping and skipping from wave to wave, lifting their little feet behind them so daintily that Tom fell in love with them at once."

Nancy stopped reading and laid down the copy of "Water Babies" on the sitting-room table. "No more just now, Peter-bird," she said; "I hear mother coming."

What this Textopian page supports

Mother Carey's Chickens is listed on Textopian as a novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin, dated 1911 CE.

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

Work type: Novel
Author: Kate Douglas Wiggin
Date: 1911 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Family Saga, Coming-of-Age, Realism, Historical Fiction
Length: 89,375 words
Structure: 35 chapters, 1,315 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Mother Carey's Chickens by Kate Douglas Wiggin
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 Mother Carey's Chickens?
How does this novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Children's Literature first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The book is primarily aimed at a young audience, featuring themes and characters that resonate with children.
Family Saga — The narrative explores family dynamics and relationships, focusing on the lives of siblings and their mother.
Coming-of-Age — The story follows the growth and development of the characters, particularly the children, as they navigate life's challenges.
Realism — The plot is grounded in everyday life, depicting realistic situations and emotions.