Modern Fantasy
Title: The Indian
in the Cupboard
Author: Lynne Reid
Banks
Publisher: Yearling
Copyright date: 1980
Number of Pages: 240
pages
Awards: N/A
Reading Level: Independent Reader Jr. "I am a
Reader"
Generally
appropriate for 4th Grade to 7th Grade
These books are appropriate for the independent reader who can retain and understand more elaborate and sophisticated story elements.
These books are appropriate for the independent reader who can retain and understand more elaborate and sophisticated story elements.
Lexile: 780L
Genre: Children’s
Literature, Science Fiction, Modern Fantasy
Summary:
When Omri's big
brother has no birthday present for him, he gives Omri an old wooden medicine
cabinet he's found. The cabinet doesn't seem like much of a present to
nine-year-old Omri, because he doesn’t have a key to open it. He also was given
a plastic Native American figure too, from his friend. Not knowing what to do
with both of his gifts he just set them in his room. He then decided to try and
open his cabinet. His mother gave him a box of keys to find one that fits the
key hole. At first, Omri is unimpressed with the plastic Indian toy he
is given for his birthday. But, when he found a key that fit and he put his plastic
Native American figure in his old cupboard and turned the key, something
extraordinary happens that would change Omri's life forever!
Academic Purpose:
I would integrate this book into the classroom, to meet the
Indian Education for All, standards. This book brings the story alive about a
Native American figure who tells stories about his culture, traditions, and
stories. The students would be able to learn about Native Americans and their
culture, and work on their writing skills. I would first have the students read
the book. As they are reading the book, I would have them participate in
Literature Circles to discuss different parts of the book. Then, after when the
book is finished, I would have students write a story about if they were a
Native American locked in a cabinet, what kind of traditions, cultures, dances,
and stories would they have to tell.
Rating System:| Categories: |
5 Stars
|
3 Stars
|
1 Star
|
Comments
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|
Style and Language
|
The book anticipates readers’ questions and
uses great word choice for the age targeted. It has linear progression and
communicates its point clearly.
|
The book follows a linear progression, with
some unclear points. The word choice is okay.
|
The book is confusing as it doesn’t follow
a linear progression at all. The vocabulary in the book is either too simple
or too complex for the age group targeted.
|
This book uses great word choice for the
age targeted. There is many vocabulary words and many learning points that
the teacher can engage students on about the Native American culture. The
books style and language creates a great book for independent readers. This book
communicates its point clearly about a modern fantasy story and has a linear
progression for a storyline.
5
stars
|
|
Plot and Character Development
|
The plot is in depth and helps to create a
picture in the reader’s mind. The plot is organized having a beginning,
middle, and end. The character development is strong.
|
The plot is okay. The book is organized
with a beginning, middle, and end. The characters are well developed.
|
The book is confusing and doesn’t have a
clear beginning, middle, or end.
|
This book does have a plot, which creates a
picture in the reader’s mind. The plot is organized having a beginning,
middle, and end. The ending is great!
5
stars
|
|
Interest
|
The book holds real life situations which
draw the reader in. The word choice and story hold the reader’s attention.
The book is suitable for the age group targeted.
|
The book holds little interest and draws
the reader in sometimes. The book is suitable for the age group targeted.
|
The book is very boring and doesn’t hold
the reader’s attention. The book is not suitable for the age group targeted.
|
This book definitely holds the reader’s
attention. The way the words jump off the page when Omri opens up his cabinet
for the first time is like the reader is actually there to see it. The book
does such a great job engaging the reader.
5 stars
|
|
Educational Value
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The book is relatable to education. The
book can be integrated into other content areas.
|
The book is relatable to education. The
book may need further resources to help connect it to other content areas.
|
The book is not relatable to education
whatsoever. The book is not appropriate to be integrated into other content
areas.
|
This book is relatable to education. This
book can teach students to write from another point of view, and also
students can learn about the Native American culture.
5
star
|
