Lynne Reid Banks
Paperback | Pages: 192 pages Rating: 3.91 | 94635 Users | 2224 Reviews
Itemize Books Concering The Indian in the Cupboard (The Indian in the Cupboard #1)
| Original Title: | The Indian in the Cupboard |
| ISBN: | 0007148984 (ISBN13: 9780007148981) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | The Indian in the Cupboard #1 |
| Characters: | Omri, Little Bull, Boone, Bright Stars |
| Setting: | United Kingdom |
| Literary Awards: | Grand Canyon Reader Award (1989), Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (1984), California Young Readers Medal for Intermediate (1985), Virginia Reader's Choice for Elementary (1987), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (1988) |
Ilustration In Pursuance Of Books The Indian in the Cupboard (The Indian in the Cupboard #1)
Apparently many people feel that this book is full of racist stereotypes. I can see where they're coming from, starting with the outdated term Indian, as opposed to Native American (or Iroquois, in this case). Not only that, but the Indian in the book, Little Bear, speaks in very broken English, and he has a seemingly simplistic, stereotypical outlook. However...it's hard to be mad at a book for being racist when it portrays the Indian as the wisest, bravest, most hard-working character in the book. Yes, in the beginning Omri doesn't realize that Little Bear is a PERSON. But the book is partly about Omri coming to see that Little Bear IS a person, and that to have him as a toy or a possession is completely inappropriate. Little Bear has more self-respect in his 2.75 inch body than the vast majority of full-sized people. He wastes no time on self-pity and instead focuses on how he can create a life in which he can take care of himself in the very strange circumstances in which he finds himself. He wants to hunt for his own food, build his own home, etc. I think it's obvious to Omri, as well as to the reader, that Little Bear has a very strong system of values that include intelligence, skill, self-reliance, courage, and hard work, among other things. It's hard for me to see how having an Indian as a toy is racist, when there is also a (caucasian) cowboy, a (caucasian) English soldier, and others who are in the same position. And perhaps it's stereotypical to have the Indian and the cowboy dislike and fight each other...but is it racist to have the Indian show himself to be smarter, braver, stronger, more skilled, more stoic and even more hygienic at every turn? Little Bear even teaches Omri (and the reader) that an Indian isn't an Indian, and that as an Iroquois brave, to use a teepee, especially one with Algonquin markings, is unthinkable. As for the broken English...Little Bear is the only character in the book for whom English is not his first language. I actually liked the way he spoke, and was amazed at his way of cutting right to the heart of the matter with a very limited vocabulary. I could see how Little Bear's way of speaking might seem like baby talk, which would infantilize him, but I didn't take it that way. Instead I was impressed at the way he had learned enough English to get his meaning across and meet his needs. Little Bear's way of speaking did not make him seem any less intelligent, mature, or sophisticated to me. In fact, Little Bear was portrayed as such a paragon for much of the book that one could almost find that racist -- as if Little Bear was more than human -- but he does have some weaknesses that he displays occasionally, such as his stubbornness and quickness to judge. So while Little Bear has many admirable qualities, he is not saintly. I'm sure that there are dated, inaccurate and stereotypical elements in this book. Since I'm not Native American, I'm certainly not in the best position to judge. But if this book contributed to my image of Native Americans at all, it was in a positive way. I do think that this book's heart was in the right place, and that the author approached the Iroquois character with respect and the intention to portray him very positively. Overall I loved the book for it's clever, original, exciting plot, it's complex characterization, it's high-quality writing, and the messages it sends about what qualities are to be admired in people.Mention Regarding Books The Indian in the Cupboard (The Indian in the Cupboard #1)
| Title | : | The Indian in the Cupboard (The Indian in the Cupboard #1) |
| Author | : | Lynne Reid Banks |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 192 pages |
| Published | : | 2003 by Collins (first published 1980) |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Childrens. Fiction. Young Adult. Classics. Middle Grade. Juvenile |
Rating Regarding Books The Indian in the Cupboard (The Indian in the Cupboard #1)
Ratings: 3.91 From 94635 Users | 2224 ReviewsCritique Regarding Books The Indian in the Cupboard (The Indian in the Cupboard #1)
The Indian in the Cupboard is a very moving story about a boy named Omri who discovers he has a magical cupboard that can bring plastic toys to life.In some places, the text seems a little racist, dealing mainly with stereotypes. The most noticeable occurance of this is Little Bull, who speaks in broken 'tv' English. e.g. "Me cold." However, it is not just the Indian (Native American) who is portrayed like this, but the cowboy as well. At first, this stereotypical way of portraying theThis book, oh man. This was the book I used to read and re-read and re-re-read as a kid. That book that the cliche reader goes through so many times that he wears out the cheap mass-market paperback and has to beg his parents to buy him another copy from the Scholastic book order forms from school ('membah dem?).Now I get to share it with my daughter, and rediscover how grand an adventure it truly is. OH! And anyone who hasn't read it, and is scanning down through the reviews to see if it is
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
Im all for good literature that stimulates the readers imagination. So its maybe a little surprising that I wasnt overly fond of the classic Indian in the Cupboard.Omri is disappointed with his birthday gift. Frankly, a plastic Indian doesnt hold much appeal to him. But everything changes when he gives the Indian a home inside a medicine cabinet and turns what appears to be a magic key. The Indian comes alive as Little Bull, a young brave with an exciting history. Omri is delighted with the new
Okay so this is so cute and full of imagination! Wouldn't you as a kid in Elementary school love to have a magical cupboard that brought all your "plas-stikk" toys to life? Omri thought the same thing until so much trouble and lies got into his conscience. The bossy Indian, the crybaby cowboy, a demanding friend, a loose rat in the house.... So much fun to read. Felt like a kid all over again. I think this would be a good book for kids who hate reading.
What a racist, dull, unimaginative book. Full of stereotypes and negative images, this book should be taught only to teach young people how NOT to write books. I only read this book for a grad class and would never recommend it to anyone. First, the writing is cliched and boring. Secondly, the way Lynne Reid Banks has portrayed the Indian (apparently, Little Bear is Iroquois) is racist and offensive. Little Bear only speaks in grunts and incomplete sentences, and the cowboy Boone wants only to
Meh. I don't remember this book much. I guess it was okay.
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