The Staircase

How could Lizzy Enders's father abandon her at a girls school run by nuns? She's surrounded by Catholics--but she's Methodist! Shunned by the other boarders, Lizzy befriends a wandering carpenter named José, who with just three tools--and unflagging faith--builds an elaborate spiral staircase in the new chapel in mere weeks. When he disappears without a trace, Lizzy realizes that the way she sees things is not always the way they are.
Inspired by the legend of the "miraculous" staircase in the Chapel of Loretto in Santa Fe, Ann Rinaldi skillfully blends the mystery surrounding the staircase's builder with the daily trials of a spunky thirteen-year-old girl growing up in the 1870s.

About the author

ANN RINALDI is an award-winning author best known for bringing history vividly to life. A self-made writer and newspaper columnist for twenty-one years, Ms. Rinaldi attributes her interest in history to her son, who enlisted her to take part in historical reenactments up and down the East Coast. She lives with her husband in central New Jersey. 

Product details

• Authors: Ann Rinaldi
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: ages 10 to 12
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.06.2002
• EAN: 9780152167882
• ISBN: 978-0-15-216788-2
• No. of pages: 240
• Dimensions: 114 mm x 178 mm x 17 mm
• Weight: 145 g
• Series: Great Episodes
• Subjects: Children's and young people's books; JUVENILE FICTION: Mysteries & Detective Stories, JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Friendship, JUVENILE FICTION: Boys & Men, JUVENILE FICTION: Horror, JUVENILE FICTION: Girls & Women, JUVENILE FICTION: Biographical / United States, JUVENILE FICTION: Historical / United States / 19th Century, JUVENILE FICTION: Religious / Christian / General, JUVENILE FICTION: Social Themes / Prejudice & Racism, JUVENILE FICTION: Historical / Military & Wars