CHICKADEE

Chickadee

a. Bibliographic Data: Erdrich, Louise. CHICKADEE. Ill. By Louise Erdrich. HarperCollins, 2012. ISBN 9780060577926.

b. Plot Summary:

            In the latest House series book by Louise Erdrich, we are introduced to two brothers, living in the year of 1866, twins Chickadee and Makoons. These precarious and vigorously active twins portray a relationship between siblings that readers may find admirable. Both twins are very drawn to each other, but their energetic lifestyle leads them into an unexpected situation where Chickadee is taken away from his brother and the rest of his family to be made a servant. Find out how Chickadee and his family cope with this tragedy and the triumphs and tribulations that they encounter on their journey to being reunited as a family again!

c. Critical Analysis:

            Brothers Chickadee and Makoons are inseparable twins who can relate to the readers in many ways. These brothers are just like any other 8 year old; active, playful, and all around captivated by the things around them. Early on in the story, the boys are drastically separated when Chickadee is kidnapped due to a prank gone wrong. This book revolves around the life of Chickadee, evolving into a more mature version of himself as he faces trials and triumphs through his journey to reunite with his family once again.

            Due to his kidnapping, his family moves from the woods to an unfamiliar territory known as the Great Plains. This is uncharacteristic of many Native American stories, because instead of staying in their comfortable area, this family becomes the master of their own fate and moves far off just to search for their lost Chickadee. Louise Erdrich supplies rich cultural meaning from the very start, giving insight into the family dynamic of this tight-knit, Native American family.

            The setting is always described with great detail, whether they are in the woods or they are in the Great Plains. The author is able to give descriptions of the surroundings in a way that captivates her audience and makes her readers feel like they are there in the story. The descriptions are especially vivid when Chickadee finds himself alone in the forest, cold, thirsty, and lonely. Erdrich adds the presence of the spirit world and does a wonderful job of blending this with reality. As Chickadee continues through the forest, he finds a helper: his namesake. “The little gray bird with the jaunty black cap” teaches Chickadee a song to provide him with continuous strength to make it through these rough times.

“I am only the Chickadee

Yet small things have great power

I speak the truth.”

This pivotal moment shared between Chickadee and the chickadee lays a solid foundation for one of the many themes of the book, which entails doing great things despite ones size. Chickadees journey reflects this theme often, never giving up despite how high the odds are against him reuniting with his family.

            Erdrich’s style mixes humor and suspense all into one scene, tugging at the reader’s emotions through hardships and triumphs. This is a great story to use for introducing historical fiction, especially to boys who are curious about survival and brotherhood. Erdrich uses the name and truths of a real tribe that still has reservations today in North America: The Ojibwe tribe. To help the readers understand the many difficult words and phrases, she includes a glossary and pronunciation guide in the back of the book. Although this book is one of four in a series of books, it is still a strong read on its own.

d. Reviews:

“A beautifully evolving story of an indigenous American family. ”  -Kirkus Reviews

“Erdrich’s storytelling is masterful. Readers will be more than happy to welcome little Chickadee into their hearts.” -School Library Journal

“Readers will absorb the history lesson almost by osmosis; their full attention will be riveted on the story. Every detail anticipates readers’ interest.” -The Horn Book

“In the fourth book in Erdrich’s award-winning Birchbark House series, the focus moves to a new generation. As always, the focus is on the way-of-life details as much as the adventure. Most affecting are the descriptions of Makoons’ loneliness without his brother.” -ALA Booklist

“The pleasures of reading the series are not unlike those of reading Laura Ingalls Wilder: Discovering an earlier time in our country through stories of the daily lives of children.” -Newsday

GLOWING PRAISE FOR THE BIRCHBARK HOUSE SERIES:“Based on Erdrich’s own family history, the mischievous celebration will move readers, and so will the anger and sadness. What is left unspoken is as powerful as the story told.” -Booklist

“[A] lyrical narrative. Readers will want to follow this family for many seasons to come.” -Publishers Weekly

“Readers who loved Omakayas and her family in The Birchbark House (1999) have ample reason to rejoice in this beautifully contstructed sequel … Hard not to hope for what comes next for this radiant nine-year old.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Erdrich’s charming pencil drawings interspersed throughout and her glossary of Ojibwe terms round out a beautiful offering.” -School Library Journal

“Erdrich’s gifts are many, and she has given readers another tale full of rich details of 1850’s Ojibwe life, complicated supporting characters, and all the joys and challenges of a girl becoming a woman.” -Horn Book

“Why has no one written this story before?” -ALA Booklist

“The Birchbark House establishes its own ground, in the vicinity of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House books.” -New York Times

“Erdrich’s captivating tale of four seasons portrays a deep appreciation of our environment, our history, and our Native American sisters and brothers.” -School Library Journal

Awards/ Honors

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Horn Book Fanfare 2012

e. Connections:

This book could be used as a historical lesson about:

• ·      Ojibwe 
• ·      Westward expansion
• ·      1800s United States and Canadian history
• ·      Survival in the woods
• ·      Family bonds
• ·      Transportation
• ·      Chickadees, etc.

This fourth book could be compared to the first three books in the Birchbark House book series by Erdrich.

Students could watch interviews given about/by the author to understand her reasoning for writing this book and to see her connection with the books and her real life.

Have the students create their own namesake and a song that would be sung for them.

GINGERSNAP

GINGERSNAP

a. Bibliographic Data: Giff, Patricia R. GINGERSNAP. Random House Children’s Books, 2013. ISBN: 978-0375838910.

b. Plot Summary:

            Jayne, a motherless and fatherless young girl, has spent many years in foster care until her older brother Rob comes to save her from that lifestyle. Finally in the comfort of family, her foundation yet again gets ripped out from under her feet when Rob is shipped to fight in World War II. Just before he leaves her in the care of their landlord Celine, he informs her of a secret box that he has stashed away in his closet of their parents’ things. Around this time she also starts hearing a voice, curiosity becoming too much after news of her brother’s disappearance, she snoops through the box and finds a recipe book with her “maybe” grandmother in front of a bakery with her nickname on it: Gingersnap. After overhearing Celine hint at giving up caring for Jayne, that’s all she needs to give her the push to head out to Brooklyn with her turtle Theresa, the recipe book, and her new ghostly guide in search of her “maybe” grandmother. What will she find? Who will she meet? Is her grandmother still alive?

c. Critical Analysis:

            GINGERSNAP is a historical fiction novel about a young girl in search of family to fill that void in her heart left by her parents’ death and brother’s deployment. The World War II setting is difficult to comprehend without background information about how much had to be rationed and saved. I think the idea of families being involved with leaving for way is an adequate parallel to today’s war, without stepping over boundaries or causing too much conflict. Readers who have experienced the loss of family or have been affected by the war could relate more to Gingersnap’s character than the average student. 

            The setting, plot, and characters were not sugar coated but they definitely could have been more developed and detailed to add more life to the book. They were predictable enough for an adult to catch on to but still unpredictable enough for the young readers. The character that could have used the most explaining was the “ghost”-like figure that guided Gingersnap to make decisions. There were confusing issues surrounding this character, especially the odd fact that only its hands and feet were visible at times (at times with her own nail polish). Gingersnap herself doesn’t even know much about who this character is:

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I’m trying to figure that out, but don’t worry. I’m harmless.”

I took a step back. I could always jump out the window onto the porch over the kitchen.

“I wouldn’t do that,” the voice said. “I tried it before. It’s a nasty fall if you miss.”

“I don’t believe in ghosts,” I muttered.

“I don’t either. But that’s what I am. At least, I think so.”

Looking deeper into this character, I think, in my personal opinion, this could have been some type of coping mechanism that the girl used to help her in her time of searching and need, especially since it wasn’t present at the end of the book when things changed for the better.

d. Reviews

"Giff is one of few writers who can entwine an odd lot of characters, set them in Brooklyn during World War II, flavor the story with soup recipes, add a ghost and infuse the plot with a longing for family—and make it all believable." – Kirkus

“As in the Newbery Honor Book Lily’s Crossing (1997) and its companion book Willow Run (2005), Giff offers an accessible chapter book with highly individual characters and a convincing picture of life on the home front. Jayna often makes soup, and related recipes appear between chapters. Though parts of the story seem as improbable as daydreams, readers will be swept along by Jayna’s first-person narrative and moved by the novel’s ending.” –Booklist

“Giff smoothly intertwines threads of loss, displacement, hope, family, and the soothing power of food (especially soup) in a quiet but emotionally charged novel set during WWII.” –Publishers Weekly

“While she doesn't find any family there (Brooklyn), the people she does encounter change her life.” –School Library Journal

“Jayna’s journey is a memorable one.” –Kirkus

Awards/ Honors

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

John Newbery Medal 2011

Golden Kite Award for Fiction 2011

ALA-ALSC Childrens Notable Book

William Allen White Children Book Awards 2015–2016

e. Connections:

Students could make their own recipe for their own soup and try it out at home with their parents.

This book can bring about a strong discussion about ratioining and effects of war on civilization.

Students could research on why World War II was fought and what the repercussions of this were for our nation.

Since Jayna has a pet turtle, that students could do a writing activity about what pet they would choose to bring across the country with them. Where would they go? How would they help their pet survive? Etc.

Students can make a class recipe book that consists of a collection of recipes from each others home and heritage. 

TURTLE IN PARADISE

Turtle in Paradise

a. Bibliographic Data: Holm, Jennifer. TURTLE IN PARADISE. Ill. by Matthew Holm. Random House Children’s Books, 2010. ISBN: 9780375836909.

b. Plot Summary:

            TURTLE IN PARADISE is an exciting book that puts the reader right into the 1930’s. Set in the time of the Great Depression, Holms shares life’s many heartbreaks, adventures, and new beginnings through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl. Turtle is a tough girl, much like Little Orphan Annie and nothing like little Shirley Temple. Life was going okay for Turtle in New Jersey, despite the many men in and out of mama’s life, until her mom’s new housekeeping job didn’t allow for children to be around.  As a result, she was sent down to Key West, Florida to live with her Aunt Minnie, seeing hard times get harder. Turtle becomes pals with the neighborhood kids and her cousins, all of which have a silly nickname and are a part of the Diaper Gang. As this new life of chores, shoe stealers, treasure maps, and witty remarks becomes the norm, she seeks to find out more information about who she is (including finding out she had a living grandmother). In the midst of this new life, she finds more than she could have imagined.

c. Critical Analysis:  

            TURTLE IN PARADISE starts quite slow in the beginning and then flies by near the end with jam-packed action in the last few chapters. I listened to this book through a CD, which brought the book to life, especially with the vivid scenery descriptions and narrator accents that fit the time. Turtle, named for her “hard shell” on the outside, has a soft spot for only one person: her mama. Turtle and her mom couldn’t be more opposite, one a dream and the other a realist. “I think the color of a person’s eyes says a lot about them. Mama has soft blue eyes, and all she sees is kittens and roses. My eyes are gray as soot, and I see things for what they are.”

            In her new, not-so-tidy home, Turtle finds herself in the company of many young boys, who are full of adventure and curiosity. She seems to be the most mature of the gang, helping out with chores, keeping the boys in check, and even offering to help feed her grandmother for lunch every day. The characters in this book, differing in ages, are very relatable to the children of this day and age. The boys’ nicknames also add quite a bit of humor to the story with names such as Beans, Pork Chop, Buddy, Kermit, Slow Poke, etc.

            Throughout the entire book, Turtle parallels her life experiences with those of two famous female children that were popular in that time period, one of which she openly despises. Turtle frequently relates her life to Little Orphan Annie’s, from having a pet as a companion to feeling like an orphan without a family to wishing for a Daddy Warbucks to come along (which almost happened). She thinks lowly of Shirley Temple on the other hand, making it obvious to those around her through her comments and attitude, even though she secretly loves her song On the Good Ship Lollipop and sings it often. 

              Holm consistently shows setting and plot through Turtles narration, the kids on the street, and Turtle's cousins, who are all continuously responding to situations aligned with that time period: from the ‘Shadow’ on the radio, to sponging in the ocean, to pirates, to Spanish influence from Cuba, to shoeless street kids. The style of writing that Holm’s uses is consistent and well written. Instead of explicitly giving every detail as an explanation, she allows Turtle’s narration to tell the story through emotion, expression, and detail.

            Although the ending can be quite shocking to a younger mind, there is still a warm part to the ending, which reveals a great deal about the theme and meaning behind the book, “Maybe the real treasure has been right here on curry lane the whole time. People who love mama and me. A home.” 

d. Reviews:
"Sweet, funny and superb." –Kirkus Reviews

"Just the right mixture of knowingness and hope . . . a hilarious blend of family drama seasoned with a dollop of adventure." -Booklist

"This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm’s great-grandmother’s stories. Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won’t want to miss it." –School Library Journal

“Holm is relentless in pushing her young character to the edge, with apparent triumph quickly followed by heartbreak. Breathe, and there's reconciliation, and picture-perfect hope dawning once more.” –Children’s Literature

“Two-time Newbery Honor author Holm again crafts a winning heroine who, despite her hardened exterior, gradually warms to her eccentric family members, including her unruly cousins and waspish grandmother (who Turtle thought was dead). Infused with period pop culture references, a strong sense of place, and the unique traditions and culture of Key West natives (aka “Conchs”), this humorous adventure effectively portrays Turtle as caught between her mother’s Hollywood-inspired dreams and the very real family and geography that offer a different kind of paradise.” –Publishers Weekly

Awards/ Honors

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction

John Newbery Medal 2011

Golden Kite Award for Fiction 2011

ALA-ALSC Children’s Notable Book

IRA Children's Choices 2011

Children's Book Committee Bank Street College of Education Children's Choices

     - Best Books of 2011, Historical Fiction

Booklist 2010 Editor’s Choice

Kirkus Reviews 2010 Best Children’s Books

e. Connections:

The students could do a book trailer for this book!

Students could compare the life of Annie the Orphan with the life of Shirley Temple, or even do a quick biography on the two (even though one is a character).

At the end of the book, Turtle finds a treasure map that leads the kids to treasure. This would be a fun time to give students the chance to follow a map of their classroom in order to find “treasure.” They could also make maps for one another!

The students should have a discussion about why the main character’s name is Turtle (hard shell/soft shell vs. emotions).

What about the other kids? How did they get their nicknames?

Students can compare New Jersey to Key West, Florida. This would be a good chance to look at maps and note just how far apart the locations are. They could discuss/ write about what it would be like to pick up and move to a brand new place with just a pet and a suitcase, not knowing for how long and not being able to contact their mom.

The students can reflect on the ending of the book. Have they ever been deceived, or tricked? Has anyone ever “pulled a fast one on them?”

Sponging was mentioned for a small portion of the book but it was something that people did to make a living. They can research what it means to sponge, the impact this had on the environment, what the sponges were used for, etc. 

http://www.keyshistory.org/shelf-sponge.html