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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Read this with my students for the first time since I was a kid myself...and I do not believe this book has stood the test of time. In my opinion, it is not nearly critical enough in its depiction of Indigenous culture, ultimately perpetuating negative stereotypes in a way that I think it really harmful considering how suggestible young readers are.
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks is about a cupboard that a boy named Omri got for his birthday and he finds a key that fits it and when Omri puts something anything inside, they come alive! But it is not as easy as it sounds. This magical key sends Omri on a wild adventure!
A proctoring-during-STAR-testing reread.
Pros: action-packed, good characterization of Omri and Patrick, moves quickly and has pretty good writing. Keeps kids instantly engaged and reading. Even as a critical, discomfited reader I was racing through and waiting to see what would happen next (I didn't remember it from my first read over twenty years ago).
Cons: "problematic" is an understatement when it comes the ridiculous stereotypes *combined* with the whole "he's a real person, this has some basis in fact" things like the longhouse vs. teepee problem. Needless to say, I cringed during all the Little Bear parts.
I guess my policy will be to recommend [b:The Porcupine Year|2870769|The Porcupine Year|Louise Erdrich|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513CqPZSBtL._SL75_.jpg|2896924] to follow this one whenever I hear of a teacher doing it as a classroom read-aloud!
Pros: action-packed, good characterization of Omri and Patrick, moves quickly and has pretty good writing. Keeps kids instantly engaged and reading. Even as a critical, discomfited reader I was racing through and waiting to see what would happen next (I didn't remember it from my first read over twenty years ago).
Cons: "problematic" is an understatement when it comes the ridiculous stereotypes *combined* with the whole "he's a real person, this has some basis in fact" things like the longhouse vs. teepee problem. Needless to say, I cringed during all the Little Bear parts.
I guess my policy will be to recommend [b:The Porcupine Year|2870769|The Porcupine Year|Louise Erdrich|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513CqPZSBtL._SL75_.jpg|2896924] to follow this one whenever I hear of a teacher doing it as a classroom read-aloud!
I think we read this book back in 3rd grade. It's a bit too long ago for me to remember much, but I do remember liking it.
The boys were engaged in the story and I was very frustrated with Patrick's selfish actions. But it all turned out ok in the end.
I read this aloud with 5th grade students and it was enjoyable for myself and for them. :)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Omri’s birthday gets off to a disappointing start when his best friend Patrick gives him nothing but a castoff Indian figurine as a present. But it quickly becomes a birthday to remember when Omri places the figurine in an old metal cupboard, reopening it the next day to discover the Indian has come to life! Omri and his tiny warrior, Little Bear, soon form a cautious friendship, but keeping Little Bear hidden from Patrick, his brothers, and his teachers proves difficult. Then a cowboy figurine named Boone is also brought to life, setting the scene for mayhem and animosity the likes of which Omri’s bedroom has never seen!
I remember LOVING this book as a child! My own stuffed animals and dolls were very much alive for me (even into my adolescence), and I enjoyed seeing the figurines of this series ACTUALLY brought to life (long before Toy Story made lifelike toys a household staple). As with so many childhood favorites, this reads a little differently as an adult. The magic is still there, but I was uncomfortable with the dated (and unfavorable) portrayal of the Iroquois warrior and had SO MANY questions about the nature of the fantasy elements that I wish were explained further in the text.
Digging a little deeper, there are some discussable themes of responsibility, secrecy (when is it healthy and when these secrets can become destructive), human dignity, friendship, loyalty, and expectations. There are also some fun cultural elements to explore, thanks to the 1980 British setting and the historical figurines who reference their lives in nineteenth century America. Best of all, my kids all liked this one a lot.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Book Format: Print
I remember LOVING this book as a child! My own stuffed animals and dolls were very much alive for me (even into my adolescence), and I enjoyed seeing the figurines of this series ACTUALLY brought to life (long before Toy Story made lifelike toys a household staple). As with so many childhood favorites, this reads a little differently as an adult. The magic is still there, but I was uncomfortable with the dated (and unfavorable) portrayal of the Iroquois warrior and had SO MANY questions about the nature of the fantasy elements that I wish were explained further in the text.
Digging a little deeper, there are some discussable themes of responsibility, secrecy (when is it healthy and when these secrets can become destructive), human dignity, friendship, loyalty, and expectations. There are also some fun cultural elements to explore, thanks to the 1980 British setting and the historical figurines who reference their lives in nineteenth century America. Best of all, my kids all liked this one a lot.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Charleston’s Rating: 4.5 Stars // Book Format: Print
This book has an interesting premise and plot. I don't feel qualified to speak on the racial issues, aside from saying that the plot comes across as a white child "owning" a Native American adult, which does not feel good at all. My main issue with this book is that most of the characters are so mean and violent! The Indian almost killing the cowboy, the kids repeatedly threatening to "bash" one another...I didn't find anyone to be very likeable.