The Nooning Tree
The story revolves around a young woman who returns to her childhood home after being away for many years. She finds that the family's fortunes have declined and they are struggling financially. The protagonist becomes involved in helping the family recover their financial stability, while also navigating her own personal relationships and growth.
By Kate Douglas Wiggin · First published 1898 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama · 9,555 words
First lines
The giant elm stood in the centre of the squire's fair green meadows, and was known to all the country round about as the "Bean ellum. " The other trees had seemingly retired to a respectful distance, as if they were not worthy of closer intimacy; and so it stood alone, king of the meadow, monarch of the village.
It shot from the ground for a space, straight, strong, and superb, and then bust into nine splendid branches, each a tree in itself, all growing symmetrically from the parent trunk, and casting a grateful shadow under which all the inhabitants of the tiny village might have gathered.
What this Textopian page supports
The Nooning Tree is listed on Textopian as a short story by Kate Douglas Wiggin, dated 1898 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Date: 1898 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama, Regional Fiction, Romance
- Length: 9,555 words
- Structure: 1 section, 95 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Nooning Tree 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 The Nooning Tree?
- How does this short story by Kate Douglas Wiggin fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Hearts And Other Hearts by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- The Dream Room by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- The Game Of Jackstraws by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- Creeping Jenny by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- The Pine And The Rose by Kate Douglas Wiggin
- The Little House by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores deep emotional themes, character development, and the human condition, typical of literary fiction.
- Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects the social dynamics and cultural aspects of the time.
- Drama — The narrative focuses on intense emotional conflicts and character interactions, characteristic of dramatic literature.
- Regional Fiction — The story is rooted in a specific geographical area, showcasing local dialects, customs, and landscapes.
Tags
Children's Literature · Classic Novel · Coming-of-Age Story · Domestic Fiction · Family Drama · Female Protagonist · Friendship · Growing Up · Historical Fiction · Literary Classic · Nostalgia · Orphaned Child