Ms. Nichols Reads

  The House Baba Built by Ed Young Bibliography Young, Ed. 2011. New York City, NY; Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780316076289. Plot Summary This story starts off taking place in Shanghai, China with a war approaching. The family of five; Mimi, Buddy, Hardy, Fifi, and Eddy move to a safe area of Shanghai, in a home that the father designs. This home included a swimming pool and a constant stream of friends and family cascading throughout the home. The children played together and the adults shielded them from the dangers of the war. This home provided this family protection and shelter from a world of war and danger.  Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers) The point of view that this story is told from, comes from the eyes of an innocent child that is shielded from the cruelties of war, by his parents. Along with his brothers and sisters, the reader is able to see the lengths that his parents and family members go through to provide food, shelter, and...

  Tea with Milk by Allen Say Bibliography Say, Allen. 2009. Boston, Ma; HMH Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0547237472 Plot Summary This is the story of a young girl named Masako, as she immigrates to Japan from the United States. Masako, or May, is forced to learn Japanese and how to be a “proper Japanese lady.” The struggles May faces as the outsider in a foreign land is one that sets her on the path of self-discovery. Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers) The opening page of this story features an image of a little girl standing in a white dress, in front of an American flag. The contrast between the little Japanese girl, with her dark black hair cut into a short and sleek bob and the American Flag in the background is striking.  Continuing on with the story, Masako is introduced along with the customs of her family. These customs are authentic to the Japanese culture, and include eating rice and miso soup and drinking green tea. This in comparison to the pancakes, ...

  How I Became a Ghost by Tim Tingle Bibliography Tingle, Tim. 2015. Oklahoma City, OK; Roadrunner Press. ISBN 1937054551 Plot Summary This is the story of Isaac and his family, while they are forced to flee their home and travel down the Trail of Tears. Isaac has the ability to know when someone will die before they actually do. Unfortunately, Isaac also knows that he will die soon. Isaac uses the time he has left to try and reunite a family to their daughter that was stolen by the United States army.  Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers) This story tugged at my heart strings due to the sheer fact that this mistreatment of Native Americans actually happened by General Custard’s army. Forcing families, that have lived for generations in a specific area, to flee, only to have many of those people die due to the elements and disease is very tragic.  There is one specific part in this story where troops are passing out blankets to the fleeing families as a seemin...

  The Christmas Coat by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve A.            Bibliography Sneve, Virginia Driving Hawk. 2019. New York, NY; Holiday House. ISBN 1941813259 Plot Summary This is the story of Virginia Driving Hawk, a Sioux Indian that is in need of a warm overcoat to shield herself from the cold winter months. Virginia’s family cannot afford the cost of a new coat, and rely upon the hand-me-downs of others. On Christmas Day a package arrives for Virgina with a beautiful coat that is just her size. Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers) Although it is difficult to tell through the illustrations in this story, the families depicted are of Native American descent. Through the illustrations, the men and women, boys and girls, all seem to be of an ambiguous descent. The story follows a family that is struggling to provide for their children in the sense that they can’t afford proper clothin...

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth   A.            Bibliography Gansworth, Eric. 2005. New York, NY; Scholastic. ISBN 0545417317   Plot Summary Taking place in the 1970s, this story uses the songs of The Beatles to portray the story of Lewis, an American Indian teenager that is growing up in a time (and place) where his Native American heritage is underappreciated and sets him apart. This coming of age story uses themes of young love, friendship, family, and bullying to tell the story of how despite all the odds, Lewis is able to find some semblance of normalcy and happiness.   Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers)             The cultural markers of this story come in the reactions of others to Lewis and his lifestyle. The mistreatment of Lewis can be seen time and time again, all because he is of a different cult...

  Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac A.            Bibliography Bruchac, Joseph. 2006. New York, NY; Speak. ISBN 0142405965   Plot Summary Ned Begay tells the story of his experiences during World War II. The story begins as Ned is forced to attend a boarding school that is meant to teach Ned the “white ways”. This regrettable act of racism, leads Ned to register for the Marines, with which he soon becomes a part of the Navajo Code Talkers platoon. As the story progresses, Ned tells of the harrowing experiences he faces against the Japanese army, including the infamous battle of Iwo Jima.  Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers) This seemingly autobiographical story is told with the truth and honesty of first-hand experiences. Ned begins by explaining how he was forced to change his name to a “white” name, instead of the traditional Native American name that he was given at birth. He als...