Kneeknock Rise

Kneeknock Rise is more of a short-story fable than a YA novel. Egan visits relatives in a small town at an unspecified time in the past. Everyone in the town lives in terror... but a comfortable terror, of the Megrimom. A mysterious monster that they believe lives at the top of the mountain nearby and sets up a horrifying moaning whenever there is a storm. Everyone is so afraid, nobody has ever climbed to the top of the mountain. But at the same time, the tales of the Megrimom give the little town an identity. It makes them special.
The book asks two pertinent questions that could spark endless discussion if well guided.
Is it better to be happy and wrong, or unhappy and right?
How hard is it to convince someone of the truth if the truth show more contradicts what they want to believe? (Boy is that a relevant question in 2018 America!) show less

This was a charming story by the author of one of my favorites -- Tuck Everlasting. It doesn't have the same emotional impact Tuck does, and I feel this would be a better read-aloud, rather than an all-in-one-sitting like I read it. Knee-Knock Rise tells the story of a small town -- village, really, that sits at the foot of the Mammoth Mountains (more like a trio of mounds, but to imply less than mountains insults both the villagers and the fearsome Megrimum). The Megrimum is the horrible monster terrorizing the village, who moans and wails during rainstorms, is responsible for missing dogs and other unexplained disappearances, and against whom the villagers employ all manner of protections, such as wishbones, burning candles and other show more offerings. Young Egan visits this village for the annual fair, for which residents pray for bad weather, and people come from far and wide to experience the terror for themselves. Egan hikes up the mountain, dreaming that he'll be hailed as a hero for slaying the dreadful monster. Instead, he discovers a natural explanation for the moaning and wailing, but his revelations are met with disbelief and conviction that he must be delirious from fever. This is a fable-like story about the fundamental, communal, even primal need for myth, legends, folklore, superstitions, and religion. A very simple story with some weighty undercurrents that could kindle some interesting conversations.

Curriculum: good addition to study of folklore and origins of stories.

Babbitt, N. (1970). Kneeknock Rise ([1st ed.].). New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. show less

Egan travels to a nearby town to stay with his aunt and her family during the local annual fair. This fair isn't the usual thing, though - it's held in honor of and to celebrate the monster who lives on top of Kneeknock Rise.
This is a fabulous story about the difference between fact and truth, about people's willingness to believe even when evidence to the contrary is right before them, and about the strange power of myth. I loved it, of course. Babbitt can weave a special kind of magic into her tales.

My book group really enjoyed this book. There are lots of levels at which it can be read. Though Kneeknock Rise is a children's book it has a lot for adults to ponder, especially in this political climate. How often do we ignore facts in favor of belief? Do our beliefs make us better people? I had some trouble getting started with the story, but then I just fell in and was whisked along in the telling. I really loved the author's illustrations. I look forward to reading all of this wonderful author's books. They are really food for thought.

From the moment young Egan arrives in Instep, he senses the spell cast over the villagers by the Megrimum--the mysterious something that lurks on the mist-wreathed peak of Kneeknock Rise. Everyone shudders in horror--delicious horror--whenever the Megrimum's unearthly wail floats down to the village. Before long, Egan is climbing the Rise to find a practical explanation for those wails.

Summary
Egan arrives in Instep to spend The Fair with his Aunt and Uncle. As he does he finds himself entangled in a town-wide fear of the Megrimum, a howling, wailing thing that rests upon Knee-Knock Rise and cries out in the dead of night. When he decides to climb the rise himself, what will he find?

Personal Opine
This was a fun read, and sent an interesting message about the tricky relationship between absolute knowledge and blind faith (and even that may be simplifying it somewhat). A fun read, indeed, and with lovely illustrations peppering the chapters, I highly suggest this one.

Class extension ideas
1. Discuss with the kids what they would do in Egan’s place—if they knew the truth about the Megrimum.
2. Have the kids, for fun, show more draw out what they imagined the Megrimum to be. show less

Fable read because A. I like Babbitt and B. I'm host of a Newbery Club here on GR.

It's always nice when something that not historical fiction and/or gritty gets recognized by the committee. This is short & entertaining, even a bit exciting in bits.

Note that Babbitt illustrates, too. Very appealing.

My favorite Babbitt books are, I think, The Devil's Storybooks. This just doesn't quite seem fresh & clever enough, in my own personal opinion.