Product Description

This is the story of everyday life in the big, happy Ruggles family who live in the small town of Otwell. The father is a dustman and the mother a washerwoman, but because they are poor the children find even greater opportunities for adventure in their ordinary lives. There's practical Lily Rose, the oldest who is full of 'Big Ideas', then Kate who is plain but extremely bright, next are the twins James and John, who get into all kinds of mischief, followed by Jo, who loves films, little Peg and finally baby William. The Family from One End Street has a lively family setting, is full of wonderfully funny adventures and sure characterisation - a truly classic book awarded the Carnegie Medal as the best children's book of 1937.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5958 in Books
• Published on: 1994-03-25
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

About the Author
Eve Garnett was born in 1900 in Worcestershire, and studied art at Chelsea Polytechnic and the Royal Academy School of Art. Whilst a student, she sketched the people of the East End slums and was haunted by the poverty she had witnessed, resolving to do something to bring the plight of the working-class family to people's attention. The Family from One End Street was originally published by Frederick Muller in 1937, followed by The Further Adventures of the Family from One End Street in 1956, and Holiday at Dew Drop Inn in 1962. She died in 1991.

Customer Reviews

A lovely book - it was always one of my great favourites.
My aunt bought me this book in 1956, when I was 10. It was always one of my great favourites.

It's a lovely book. I've never forgotten it. I think Eve Garnett won the Carnegie Prize with it in about 1947. If you've got a child who loves reading, do buy them this book. I've just found it while browsing through Amazon, and I'm going to buy myself a new copy of it and read it again.

A refreshing classic
I bought this book after hearing the author Jacqueline Wilson recommend it on T.V., up till then I'd never heard of it. ( It was published in the 1930's, long before I was born). Let me tell you I'm so glad that I did! This book is excellent. I was intrigued by Ms Wilson's comments on how the book is about poor children with holes in their clothes, and it makes such a change to read about the adventures of a working class family rather than the usual more privileged children. It's not a dark kitchen sink drama either. This book is full of the charm and humour of what life can be like in a large family with not much money to go round. Even though it was written in the 1930's it has suprisingly modern language and turns of phrase, the only aspect of the book which gives away it's age is the freedom the children enjoy. Walking for miles by themselves, smuggling on to boats, been given lifts by strangers...a lot of it will make the modern reader gasp, and feel a bit sad that we live in a much more cautious age.
The Puffin classic edition is beautifully published with Eve Garnett's original charming illustrations,a gorgeous cover and red endpapers.
Lastly, I think that this book will appeal to both boys and girls,as the adventures are had by both. I loved reading this book!!

A book to cherish
I first read this book 30 years ago and remember it vividly; it is one of the books that has stayed fondly in my memory ever since. The family are realistic, the "adventures" are plausible and being a sensitive child I could relate to them very well. The family may be from a different era but the issues - lack of money, big families are as relevant today as ever. Really a book to cherish forever.