1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ryan, Pam Munoz. 2000. ESPERANZA RISING. New York: Scholastics. ISBN 0439120411
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Esperanza Rising is about a young girl living in Mexico in the 1920’s. Her family is very wealthy and live on Rancho de las Rosas, a vineyard that has been owned by the family for generations. During this time Mexico is recovering from the revolution that had taken place 10 years prior. Throughout the land there is still malice between the rich landowners and the peasants. Everyone is looking forward the end of the harvest celebration when Esperanza’s father doesn’t return from working in the fields. The ranch foreman and his son are sent out to look for him. When Esperanza’s father is found dead, her uncle proposes marriage to her mother but she refuses. After the refusal, their house is burnt down and Esperanza’s mother realizes they must escape across the border where Esperanza finds that her life will be forever changed. Where once she was waited on, she now is faced to work on a farm, deal with her mother’s illness, face a workers strike and deal with ridicule from others. Through all the hardships that Esperanza faces by the end she learns what is important to her and how to live independtly.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Esperanza Rising was nominated for the 2003 Bluebonnet Award and the 2003 Pura Belpre Award. It is based on Pam Munoz Ryan’s grandmother’s life. This novel portrays a story about Mexican immigration to California in the 1930’s and the competition for jobs from families moving away from Oklahoma due to the Dust Bowl and those who had lost their jobs because of the depression. Ryan presents many aspects that immigration dealt with which included, deportment and fighting for equal pay and better living conditions. There are some cultural markers throughout the passages which help to give authenticity to the story. These include descriptions of some of the migrants, “plump with a round face and a complexion that was fairer than Esperanza’s,” “delicate and frail with big brown eyes, long braids and skinny legs.”
The comparison of Esperanza’s mom’s hair, “her mother’s beautiful black hair which she dept pinned up as the wife of a landowners in Mexico and then lets it hang down long as the migrant worker. Migrants were picked up from the train in a pickup where the younger ones traveled in the back. The clothes Esperanza and her mom wore in Mexico were of wealth compared to the ill fitting clothes they wore upon arrival to the migrant camp. Other cultural references deal with Mexican customs such as the foods eaten, ceremonies and fiestas.
Throughout the story there are words and phrases written in Spanish and then translated into English so that all readers can understand the text. Each chapter also is written in large Spanish words for the fruits of the harvest and below they are translated in English.
The underlying theme of the story encompasses that through the fall of wealth, Esperanza discovers the importance of loyalty, faith, family and friends and that with courage and with every challenge good does come through.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
School Library Journal: “Easy to booktalk, useful in classroom discussions, and accessible as pleasure reading, this well-written novel belongs in all collections.”
Booklist: “The symbolism is heavy-handed, as when Esperanza ominously pricks her finger on a rose thorne just before her father is killed. But Ryan writes movingly in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the books offer excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support.”
5. CONNECTION
Ryan, Munoz Pam. PAINT THE WIND. ISBN 9780439873628
Ryan, Munoz Pam. RIDING FREEDOM. ISBN 9780439087964
Ryan, Munoz Pam. OUR CALIFORNIA. ISBN 9781580891172
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
John Henry
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lester, Julius. 1994. JOHN HENRY. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York. Dial Books. ISBN 0803716060.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
John Henry is based on several versions of an African American folk tale. The story begins with John Henry’s birth in which all the animals from the forest come to observe. As a child he helps his dad build “a wing onto the house with an indoor swimming pool and one of them jacutizis”-and that’s before lunch. As John Henry gets older he grows to such an enormous size that his family’s home can no longer accommodate him. He sets out to meet other challenges that will allow him to use his strength and determination like, removing huge boulders without using dynamite and swinging his hammer so hard that he makes a rainbow around his shoulders. In his final competition, John Henry battles against a steam drill to cut through a mountain when he hammered so hard and so fast that his heart burst. Those who watched understood that “dying ain’t important… What matters is how well you do your living.”
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
John Henry was written by Julius Lester and illustrated by Jerry Pikney and was awarded the Caldecott Honor Book in 1990. The story begins with John Henry’s birth and continues as he becomes strong, fast, and fearless and eventually so enormous that he can no longer live in his family’s house. John Henry sets out to find his own destiny by working different jobs such as moving large boulders, and hammering through mountains. Lester uses imagery and personification to describe John Henry’s laugh, “ the sun got scared. It scurried from behind the moon’s skirts and went to bed, which is where it should’ve been anyways.” The language that is used is southern black dialect which is heard throughout which helps to bring accuracy to the time period that is presented. Jerry Pinkney enhances the text by using pencil, colored pencils and watercolors to illustrate John Henry’s character. Pinkney depicts the time period with accuracy through the clothing and hairstyles that are presented. He also uses different shades of light and dark colors to reflect the different skin tones. Though the underlying theme of magic is present in parts of the story, like most tall tales, the reader stays grounded in a setting that is of the “real world.” Even though no one really knows if John Henry was real or not, through Julius Lester and Jerry Pikney’s text and illustrations, readers will understand that he symbolizes the working man and his determination to do his best and that he is “larger than life.”
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “The original legend of John Henry and how he beat the steam drill with his sledgehammer has been enhanced and enriched, in Lester's retelling, with wonderful contemporary details and poetic similes that add humor, beauty, and strength. Pinkney's evocative illustrations -- especially the landscapes, splotchy and impressionistic, yet very solid and vigorous -- are little short of magnificent.
School Library Journal: “Another winning collaboration from the master storyteller and gifted artist of Tales of Uncle Remus (Dial, 1987) fame. Based on several well-known versions of an African American folk ballad, Lester's tale is true to the essence of the steel-driving man; yet, it allows room for touches of whimsy and even includes some contemporary references that tie the hero to our own times.”
5. CONNECTION
Other Tall Tale Characters:
Kellog, Steven. PAUL BUNYAN. ISBN 9780688058005.
Gleeson, Brian. PECOS BILL. ISBN 9780887080814.
Lindbergh, Reeve. JOHNNY APPLESEED. ISBN 9780316526340.
Lester, Julius. 1994. JOHN HENRY. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York. Dial Books. ISBN 0803716060.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
John Henry is based on several versions of an African American folk tale. The story begins with John Henry’s birth in which all the animals from the forest come to observe. As a child he helps his dad build “a wing onto the house with an indoor swimming pool and one of them jacutizis”-and that’s before lunch. As John Henry gets older he grows to such an enormous size that his family’s home can no longer accommodate him. He sets out to meet other challenges that will allow him to use his strength and determination like, removing huge boulders without using dynamite and swinging his hammer so hard that he makes a rainbow around his shoulders. In his final competition, John Henry battles against a steam drill to cut through a mountain when he hammered so hard and so fast that his heart burst. Those who watched understood that “dying ain’t important… What matters is how well you do your living.”
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
John Henry was written by Julius Lester and illustrated by Jerry Pikney and was awarded the Caldecott Honor Book in 1990. The story begins with John Henry’s birth and continues as he becomes strong, fast, and fearless and eventually so enormous that he can no longer live in his family’s house. John Henry sets out to find his own destiny by working different jobs such as moving large boulders, and hammering through mountains. Lester uses imagery and personification to describe John Henry’s laugh, “ the sun got scared. It scurried from behind the moon’s skirts and went to bed, which is where it should’ve been anyways.” The language that is used is southern black dialect which is heard throughout which helps to bring accuracy to the time period that is presented. Jerry Pinkney enhances the text by using pencil, colored pencils and watercolors to illustrate John Henry’s character. Pinkney depicts the time period with accuracy through the clothing and hairstyles that are presented. He also uses different shades of light and dark colors to reflect the different skin tones. Though the underlying theme of magic is present in parts of the story, like most tall tales, the reader stays grounded in a setting that is of the “real world.” Even though no one really knows if John Henry was real or not, through Julius Lester and Jerry Pikney’s text and illustrations, readers will understand that he symbolizes the working man and his determination to do his best and that he is “larger than life.”
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “The original legend of John Henry and how he beat the steam drill with his sledgehammer has been enhanced and enriched, in Lester's retelling, with wonderful contemporary details and poetic similes that add humor, beauty, and strength. Pinkney's evocative illustrations -- especially the landscapes, splotchy and impressionistic, yet very solid and vigorous -- are little short of magnificent.
School Library Journal: “Another winning collaboration from the master storyteller and gifted artist of Tales of Uncle Remus (Dial, 1987) fame. Based on several well-known versions of an African American folk ballad, Lester's tale is true to the essence of the steel-driving man; yet, it allows room for touches of whimsy and even includes some contemporary references that tie the hero to our own times.”
5. CONNECTION
Other Tall Tale Characters:
Kellog, Steven. PAUL BUNYAN. ISBN 9780688058005.
Gleeson, Brian. PECOS BILL. ISBN 9780887080814.
Lindbergh, Reeve. JOHNNY APPLESEED. ISBN 9780316526340.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Goin' Someplace Special
1. BIOGRAPHY
McKissack, C. Patricia. 2001. GOIN SOMEPLACE SPECIAL. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689818858
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Goin’ Someplace Special is about ‘Tricia Anna, an African American girl who is growing up in the 1950’s where segregation was a big part of life. Tricia Anna had a special place that she and Mamma Frances would go together but today, Tricia Anna wanted to travel alone. Mamma Frances hesitantly decides to let Tricia Anna go by herself. As Tricia Anna ventures out she encounters many obstacles of segregation that hinder her from finding her “Special Place.” These obstacles include sitting at the back of the bus, not being able to sit on benches marked “whites only,” and being shoved into the grand hotel only to be told she doesn’t belong because of her skin color. As despair falls on Tricia Anna, she runs into Blooming Mary who helps her to find her confidence to continue her journey. As Tricia Anna sets out to find her special place once more her determination pays off and she finds herself in front of her final destination, “ The Public Library,” where it reads, “PUBLIC LIBRARY: WHERE All ARE WELCOMED.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Goin’ Someplace Special is based on Patricia McKissack’s childhood experience growing up in Nashville, Tennessee during the 1950’s. Mckissack takes the readers back to the past when segregation was a major issue and signs were hung everywhere showing places that were off limits to people of color. The author writes about the reality and what it meant for African Americans during the 1950’s through the eyes of ‘Tricia Ann a young girl who saw firsthand how she and others were treated due to their skin color. She encountered segregated seating on buses and in movie theaters, benches that read “whites only” and a young girl telling her brother that, “ colored people can’t come in the front door. They got to go ‘round and sit up in the Buzzard’s Roost.” Even though ‘Tricia Ann is hurt by these barriers, she meets Blooming Mary who helps to convince her to hold her head high and continue her journey to her special place. The author makes it very clear that the theme of this story is about segregation but it is also clear that it is about determination. Through ‘Tricia Ann’s determination and support system from home she does find her way. The dialect that Mckissack uses depicts an old southern style of the time period and language of African Americans which helps connect the reader to the time period with statements like, “hold yo’ head up and act like you b’long to somebody.” and “Don’t let those signs steal yo’ happiness.”
Jerry Pinkney’s use of watercolor illustrations brings visual imagery to the well written text. Together the text and illustrations help readers to feel a connection to the life of the American African community during the segregation era. Throughout the book, the illustrations portray the different skin-tones, hairstyles, transportation and the typical clothes worn during the 1950’s.
I would recommend this book for any library or classroom. This book would be a great way to begin a lesson for Black History Month or in discussions that deal with civil rights and segregation.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “McKissack and Pinkney strike just the right balance in a picture book for young readers and listeners: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental.”
Kirkus Review: “Pinkney's trademark watercolors teem with realistically drawn people, lush city scenes, and a spunky main character whose turquoise dress, enlivened with yellow flowers and trim, jumps out of every picture. A lengthy author's endnote fills in the background for adults on McKissack's childhood experiences with the Nashville Public Library. This library quietly integrated all of its facilities in the late 1950s, and provided her with the story's inspiration. A natural for group sharing; leave plenty of time for the questions and discussion that are sure to follow.”
School Library Journal: “Pinkney re-creates the city in detailed pencil-and-watercolor art angled over full-page spreads, highlighting the young girl with vibrant color in each illustration. A thought-provoking story for group sharing and independent readers.-“
5. CONNECTION
Mckissack, Patricia C. MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND. ISBN 9780679883333.
Mckissack, Patricia C. FLOSSIE AND THE FOX. ISBN 9780803702509.
Mckissack, Patricia C. MA DEAR’S APRONS. ISBN 9780689832628.
McKissack, C. Patricia. 2001. GOIN SOMEPLACE SPECIAL. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0689818858
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Goin’ Someplace Special is about ‘Tricia Anna, an African American girl who is growing up in the 1950’s where segregation was a big part of life. Tricia Anna had a special place that she and Mamma Frances would go together but today, Tricia Anna wanted to travel alone. Mamma Frances hesitantly decides to let Tricia Anna go by herself. As Tricia Anna ventures out she encounters many obstacles of segregation that hinder her from finding her “Special Place.” These obstacles include sitting at the back of the bus, not being able to sit on benches marked “whites only,” and being shoved into the grand hotel only to be told she doesn’t belong because of her skin color. As despair falls on Tricia Anna, she runs into Blooming Mary who helps her to find her confidence to continue her journey. As Tricia Anna sets out to find her special place once more her determination pays off and she finds herself in front of her final destination, “ The Public Library,” where it reads, “PUBLIC LIBRARY: WHERE All ARE WELCOMED.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Goin’ Someplace Special is based on Patricia McKissack’s childhood experience growing up in Nashville, Tennessee during the 1950’s. Mckissack takes the readers back to the past when segregation was a major issue and signs were hung everywhere showing places that were off limits to people of color. The author writes about the reality and what it meant for African Americans during the 1950’s through the eyes of ‘Tricia Ann a young girl who saw firsthand how she and others were treated due to their skin color. She encountered segregated seating on buses and in movie theaters, benches that read “whites only” and a young girl telling her brother that, “ colored people can’t come in the front door. They got to go ‘round and sit up in the Buzzard’s Roost.” Even though ‘Tricia Ann is hurt by these barriers, she meets Blooming Mary who helps to convince her to hold her head high and continue her journey to her special place. The author makes it very clear that the theme of this story is about segregation but it is also clear that it is about determination. Through ‘Tricia Ann’s determination and support system from home she does find her way. The dialect that Mckissack uses depicts an old southern style of the time period and language of African Americans which helps connect the reader to the time period with statements like, “hold yo’ head up and act like you b’long to somebody.” and “Don’t let those signs steal yo’ happiness.”
Jerry Pinkney’s use of watercolor illustrations brings visual imagery to the well written text. Together the text and illustrations help readers to feel a connection to the life of the American African community during the segregation era. Throughout the book, the illustrations portray the different skin-tones, hairstyles, transportation and the typical clothes worn during the 1950’s.
I would recommend this book for any library or classroom. This book would be a great way to begin a lesson for Black History Month or in discussions that deal with civil rights and segregation.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “McKissack and Pinkney strike just the right balance in a picture book for young readers and listeners: informative without being preachy; hopeful without being sentimental.”
Kirkus Review: “Pinkney's trademark watercolors teem with realistically drawn people, lush city scenes, and a spunky main character whose turquoise dress, enlivened with yellow flowers and trim, jumps out of every picture. A lengthy author's endnote fills in the background for adults on McKissack's childhood experiences with the Nashville Public Library. This library quietly integrated all of its facilities in the late 1950s, and provided her with the story's inspiration. A natural for group sharing; leave plenty of time for the questions and discussion that are sure to follow.”
School Library Journal: “Pinkney re-creates the city in detailed pencil-and-watercolor art angled over full-page spreads, highlighting the young girl with vibrant color in each illustration. A thought-provoking story for group sharing and independent readers.-“
5. CONNECTION
Mckissack, Patricia C. MIRANDY AND BROTHER WIND. ISBN 9780679883333.
Mckissack, Patricia C. FLOSSIE AND THE FOX. ISBN 9780803702509.
Mckissack, Patricia C. MA DEAR’S APRONS. ISBN 9780689832628.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Miracle's Boys
1. BIOGRAPHY
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. Miracle’s Boys. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399231137
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Miracle’s Boy is a sad but heart-warming story of three brother’s struggle to stay together after the death of their diabetic mother. With the death of their mother, each brother deals with her death in different ways. Thirteen year old Lafayette blames himself for the death of his mother after finding her on the bed in a diabetic coma. Ty’ree puts his plans of attending MIT on hold so he can raise and keep his two younger brothers together. He also carries around the guilt of not being able to save his dad from drowning several years ago in the park. Charlie, the middle brother has just returned from two years in reform school bitter, angry and getting involved with a gang. Charlie soon brings trouble that could be the cause of his families’ separation but he turns to his brothers for help. Despite all the hurtful and mean things Charlie has done, his brothers come together to help Charlie and keep from becoming wards of the state.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Miracle’s Boys is a heart wrenching story about three brother’s struggle to stay together and survive in New York after the death of their mother. The story is narrated by Lafayette, the youngest of the three brothers. Readers will be drawn to Lafayette because of the personal feelings and experiences that he divulges about himself, brothers and his mother. One such experience is when Lafayette is taken to a Psychiatrist to help him with his mother’s death. When he goes he states, “I wasn’t afraid, ‘cause the warm blanket smell felt like it was covering me up, protecting me.” (pg.84) Lafayette blames himself for not helping his mother although there was nothing he could do and Ty’ree which is the older brother carries the guilt of sending his dad to his death by helping a lady and her dog that has fallen in the water, therefore causing their dad to die of hyperthermia. Charlie, the middle brother carries the guilt of his mother remembering him last with hand cuffs on instead of sitting on the couch with her making her laugh.
There are cultural markers sprinkled throughout the story, starting with the urban city and African – American dialect that is used by the brothers. This is evident with statements like, “How he gonna sharpen it on the floor, yo?”, “Then let’s step.” And “Yo back.” Other cultural markers include the exposure to gangs and wanting to become a rapper which is associated with teens that are in the larger urban cities, LaFayette explaining that his Aunt called him beautiful so he looks at himself in the mirror and describes himself as “dark and curly headed with brown eyes.” Another marker is when LaFayette realized they were poor and how they struggled to have just enough to pay the rent and put food on the table.
Woodson does an excellent job in writing a story that shows the progression of the three brother’s characters from grief stricken, being involved in crime, blaming oneself for a death to a new beginning and hope for the future.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “This compelling novel about three African-American brothers is oddly reminiscent of S. E. Hinton's early novels, with its streetwise, self-sufficient orphans. Although there is little action in a story that is told almost entirely through dialogue and thirteen-year-old Lafayette's thoughts and memories, the narrator's voice maintains a tone of sweet melancholy that is likely to hold the attention of thoughtful young teens.”
School Library Journal: “The narrative is told through dialogue and Lafayette's introspections so there is not a lot of action, but readers should find this story of tough, self-sufficient young men to be powerful and engaging.-“
Kirkus Review: “Readers will be caught up in this searing and gritty story of their struggle; Woodson composes a plot without easy answers, and creates characters for whom predictable behavior is all but impossible. A decent, involving novel about a family struggling to remain intact in spite of tremendous obstacles.”
5. CONNECTIONS
Woodson, Jacqueline. ON THE OTHER SIDE. ISBN 9780399231162
Woodson, Jacqueline. IF YOU COME SOFTLY. ISBN 9780142406014
Woodson, Jacqueline. HUSH. ISBN 978014240607
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2000. Miracle’s Boys. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399231137
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Miracle’s Boy is a sad but heart-warming story of three brother’s struggle to stay together after the death of their diabetic mother. With the death of their mother, each brother deals with her death in different ways. Thirteen year old Lafayette blames himself for the death of his mother after finding her on the bed in a diabetic coma. Ty’ree puts his plans of attending MIT on hold so he can raise and keep his two younger brothers together. He also carries around the guilt of not being able to save his dad from drowning several years ago in the park. Charlie, the middle brother has just returned from two years in reform school bitter, angry and getting involved with a gang. Charlie soon brings trouble that could be the cause of his families’ separation but he turns to his brothers for help. Despite all the hurtful and mean things Charlie has done, his brothers come together to help Charlie and keep from becoming wards of the state.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Miracle’s Boys is a heart wrenching story about three brother’s struggle to stay together and survive in New York after the death of their mother. The story is narrated by Lafayette, the youngest of the three brothers. Readers will be drawn to Lafayette because of the personal feelings and experiences that he divulges about himself, brothers and his mother. One such experience is when Lafayette is taken to a Psychiatrist to help him with his mother’s death. When he goes he states, “I wasn’t afraid, ‘cause the warm blanket smell felt like it was covering me up, protecting me.” (pg.84) Lafayette blames himself for not helping his mother although there was nothing he could do and Ty’ree which is the older brother carries the guilt of sending his dad to his death by helping a lady and her dog that has fallen in the water, therefore causing their dad to die of hyperthermia. Charlie, the middle brother carries the guilt of his mother remembering him last with hand cuffs on instead of sitting on the couch with her making her laugh.
There are cultural markers sprinkled throughout the story, starting with the urban city and African – American dialect that is used by the brothers. This is evident with statements like, “How he gonna sharpen it on the floor, yo?”, “Then let’s step.” And “Yo back.” Other cultural markers include the exposure to gangs and wanting to become a rapper which is associated with teens that are in the larger urban cities, LaFayette explaining that his Aunt called him beautiful so he looks at himself in the mirror and describes himself as “dark and curly headed with brown eyes.” Another marker is when LaFayette realized they were poor and how they struggled to have just enough to pay the rent and put food on the table.
Woodson does an excellent job in writing a story that shows the progression of the three brother’s characters from grief stricken, being involved in crime, blaming oneself for a death to a new beginning and hope for the future.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “This compelling novel about three African-American brothers is oddly reminiscent of S. E. Hinton's early novels, with its streetwise, self-sufficient orphans. Although there is little action in a story that is told almost entirely through dialogue and thirteen-year-old Lafayette's thoughts and memories, the narrator's voice maintains a tone of sweet melancholy that is likely to hold the attention of thoughtful young teens.”
School Library Journal: “The narrative is told through dialogue and Lafayette's introspections so there is not a lot of action, but readers should find this story of tough, self-sufficient young men to be powerful and engaging.-“
Kirkus Review: “Readers will be caught up in this searing and gritty story of their struggle; Woodson composes a plot without easy answers, and creates characters for whom predictable behavior is all but impossible. A decent, involving novel about a family struggling to remain intact in spite of tremendous obstacles.”
5. CONNECTIONS
Woodson, Jacqueline. ON THE OTHER SIDE. ISBN 9780399231162
Woodson, Jacqueline. IF YOU COME SOFTLY. ISBN 9780142406014
Woodson, Jacqueline. HUSH. ISBN 978014240607
Monday, September 1, 2008
Breadwinner
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ellis, Deborah. 2000. THE BREADWINNER. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books.
ISBN 0888994192
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Breadwinner is about 11 year old Parvana living in Kabul Afghanistan during the Taliban regime. Parvana and her family live in a one room apartment in a building that has been bombed. Since the overtake of the Taliban, women and girls are not allowed to leave their homes without a male escort, attend school, or hold jobs. One night while the family is sitting around the table, soldiers barge in and arrest Paravna’s father and take him away, leaving the family in a desperate situation. Since Paravan’s mother and older sister are not allowed outside and the other siblings are too young, the family makes a desperate decision to transform Parvana into a boy so that she can earn enough money to support and feed the family. While working as a boy, Parvana meets another girl working as a boy, and together they work different jobs to meet the needs of their families in a time of danger.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Debora Ellis has written a story that portrays the culture in the Middle East. Through Parvana, the main character, readers will understand the different emotions of fear, hunger, desperation and hopelessness that children in the Middle East feel as they live each day. Kabul, Afghanistan is the setting for this story during the Taliban take over. Ellis helps to give the reader a visual image of how Kabul is by describing how Norria remembers it being beautiful with lights that changed color, evening trips to restaurants and cinemas and browsing in fine shops for clothes and books. Parvana on the other hand, being born after the Taliban siege, describes Kabul as a city in ruins due to the bombings. Throughout the story Ellis shows the cruel treatment of women and girls by the Taliban soldiers. An example is when Parvana and her mother go to the jail to find her father, and they are beaten with sticks across their backs outside the jail by the soldiers. Women and girls are not allowed on the streets without a male escort and must be covered from head to toe by burgos. Ellis does not spare the readers when she describes beatings, imprisonment, amputations and mass killings in the book, which help to further create the reality and authenticity of the characters and plot.
The language that Ellis uses helps the readers to connect to the Middle East through descriptions of nan (bread), chador (cloth worn by women and girls to cover their hair and shoulders), burgo (tent-like garment worn by women and girls to cover them completely), and toshak(narrow mattress) which exposes them to a powerful and authentic vocabulary.
At the beginning, Parana’s father goes into the city to work to keep his family from poverty and hunger, but when the Taliban soldiers come to arrest him, Parvana’s mother falls into depression leaving her and her siblings with no means of support and desperate for help. As a friend of the family joins them and brings encouragement to them, the decision is made to transform Parvana into a boy so that she can go out and work to help feed the family. As the transform begins we also see Pavana’s character develop into a well rounded person as the need for survival becomes a necessity for her and her family. This story will certainly bring up discussions about the culture of the Middle East and the harshness that was brought upon the people of Kabul and other communities around.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “The obstacles faced by women under the repressive regime are convincingly and sympathetically portrayed as Parvana's story unfolds.”
Voice of Youth Advocate: “The oppressiveness of the Taliban government and the war-torn devastation of Afghanistan are clearly illustrated by Parvana's family situation. The realistic ending of the novel invites a sequel and offers some hope for Parvana's survival.”
Booklist: “The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive and sexist social conditions.”
5. CONNECTION
Ellis, Deborah. PARVANA’S JOURNEY. ISBN 9780888995193
Ellis, Deborah. MUD CITY. ISBN 9780888995421
Ellis, Deborah. 2000. THE BREADWINNER. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books.
ISBN 0888994192
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The Breadwinner is about 11 year old Parvana living in Kabul Afghanistan during the Taliban regime. Parvana and her family live in a one room apartment in a building that has been bombed. Since the overtake of the Taliban, women and girls are not allowed to leave their homes without a male escort, attend school, or hold jobs. One night while the family is sitting around the table, soldiers barge in and arrest Paravna’s father and take him away, leaving the family in a desperate situation. Since Paravan’s mother and older sister are not allowed outside and the other siblings are too young, the family makes a desperate decision to transform Parvana into a boy so that she can earn enough money to support and feed the family. While working as a boy, Parvana meets another girl working as a boy, and together they work different jobs to meet the needs of their families in a time of danger.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Debora Ellis has written a story that portrays the culture in the Middle East. Through Parvana, the main character, readers will understand the different emotions of fear, hunger, desperation and hopelessness that children in the Middle East feel as they live each day. Kabul, Afghanistan is the setting for this story during the Taliban take over. Ellis helps to give the reader a visual image of how Kabul is by describing how Norria remembers it being beautiful with lights that changed color, evening trips to restaurants and cinemas and browsing in fine shops for clothes and books. Parvana on the other hand, being born after the Taliban siege, describes Kabul as a city in ruins due to the bombings. Throughout the story Ellis shows the cruel treatment of women and girls by the Taliban soldiers. An example is when Parvana and her mother go to the jail to find her father, and they are beaten with sticks across their backs outside the jail by the soldiers. Women and girls are not allowed on the streets without a male escort and must be covered from head to toe by burgos. Ellis does not spare the readers when she describes beatings, imprisonment, amputations and mass killings in the book, which help to further create the reality and authenticity of the characters and plot.
The language that Ellis uses helps the readers to connect to the Middle East through descriptions of nan (bread), chador (cloth worn by women and girls to cover their hair and shoulders), burgo (tent-like garment worn by women and girls to cover them completely), and toshak(narrow mattress) which exposes them to a powerful and authentic vocabulary.
At the beginning, Parana’s father goes into the city to work to keep his family from poverty and hunger, but when the Taliban soldiers come to arrest him, Parvana’s mother falls into depression leaving her and her siblings with no means of support and desperate for help. As a friend of the family joins them and brings encouragement to them, the decision is made to transform Parvana into a boy so that she can go out and work to help feed the family. As the transform begins we also see Pavana’s character develop into a well rounded person as the need for survival becomes a necessity for her and her family. This story will certainly bring up discussions about the culture of the Middle East and the harshness that was brought upon the people of Kabul and other communities around.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide: “The obstacles faced by women under the repressive regime are convincingly and sympathetically portrayed as Parvana's story unfolds.”
Voice of Youth Advocate: “The oppressiveness of the Taliban government and the war-torn devastation of Afghanistan are clearly illustrated by Parvana's family situation. The realistic ending of the novel invites a sequel and offers some hope for Parvana's survival.”
Booklist: “The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive and sexist social conditions.”
5. CONNECTION
Ellis, Deborah. PARVANA’S JOURNEY. ISBN 9780888995193
Ellis, Deborah. MUD CITY. ISBN 9780888995421
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