The Steps Across the WaterIn a masterful new fantasy evocative of Alice in Wonderland, New York Times bestselling author Adam Gopnik explores the powerful themes of identity and the meaning of home, with stunning illustrations from renowned New Yorker artist Bruce McCall. Ten-year-old Rose lives in New York, the city of bright lights and excitement, where extraordinary things happen every day on every block. But Rose wasn't born in New York; she was adopted as an infant from a far-away country. Rose loves her home and her family, but sometimes she can't help but feel like she doesn't belong. Then one day in Central Park, Rose sees something extraordinary: a crystal staircase rises out of the lake, and two small figures climb the shimmering steps before vanishing like a mirage. Only it's not a mirage. Rose is being watched - recruited - by representatives of U Nork, a hidden city where Dirigibles and Zeppelins skirt dazzling skyscrapers that would dwarf the Chrysler building. Impeccably dressed U Norkers glide along the sidewalks on roller skates. Rose can hardly take it all in. Then she learns the most astonishing thing about U Nork. Its citizens are in danger, and they need Rose's help, and hers alone… |
Contents
Section 1 | 1 |
Section 2 | 21 |
Section 3 | 49 |
Section 4 | 80 |
Section 5 | 104 |
Section 6 | 125 |
Section 7 | 141 |
Section 8 | 167 |
Section 9 | 171 |
Section 10 | 201 |
Section 11 | 224 |
Section 12 | 243 |
Section 13 | 252 |
Section 14 | 285 |
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Common terms and phrases
arch Avenue beautiful began called Central Park Chester Boghen coat cried dance dark diamond dust dollhouse door Eloise Empire State Building Ethan everything eyes father floor frozen yogurt giant girls glass Greenwich Village hand happened head heard Ice Queen inside Joe Murphy kiddo laughed Lizard Louis Madame Raines maître d midget mother nice night Nork Norkian okay Oliver Pale Male passenger pigeon Penultima pigeons pink limousine Plug-Uglies pocket Rose asked Rose felt Rose knew Rose looked Rose saw Rose thought Rose's Rosie sauce seemed side Sin-Trail Park sisters smiled snow globe someone SPASM Spot Square Times Square stared stars steps strange street suddenly supway sure tell thing tiny took towers turned Ultima voice waiting walked Washington Square Arch watch weird whispered worried Yeah York