1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Erdrich, Louise. Chickadee. New York: HarperCollins,
2013. ISBN 9780060577926
2. PLOT SUMMARY
At the start of the story, the boys share an unbreakable
connection until the kidnapping of Chickadee by two dim-witted brothers who aim
to force him into servitude. The family searches for Chickadee throughout the
Great Plains while he finds inner strength in the characteristics of the
namesake bird which leads him to demonstrate bravery and intelligence.
Throughout the story readers meet Two Strike the determined aunt of Chickadee
and experience the difficulties and cultural traditions of Ojibwe people during
a pivotal period in U.S. history. The narrative balances threatening situations
with comedic elements while it shows how survival needs merge with traditional
cultural practices.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The historical
fiction comes alive through Erdrich's skillful combination of realistic
characters and detailed setting descriptions. The story follows two mischievous
yet loyal brothers Chickadee and Makoons as they assist their family in a way
that feels authentic to both the period and Ojibwe cultural traditions. The
glossary of Ojibwe language creates deeper cultural understanding without
causing confusion among young readers. The historical events in the story become
accessible through real world details about mosquito swarms on Red River oxcart
trails and traditional foods like bouyah which stem from authentic historical
records. The setting plays a fundamental role because readers discover
information about the Great Plains and the Métis population through an included
map that shows Chickadee's movements. The narrative combines elements of
adventure and survival with essential themes regarding family unity and
personal identity. Although the story starts with a difficult situation of
kidnapping it receives gentle treatment through humorous moments which leads to
discussions about endurance as well as fairness and children's ability to
overcome challenges. The author uses her signature mix of warmth and occasional
playfulness throughout the book particularly when depicting the foolish
kidnapping brothers. The book contains a family tree and author Q&A along
with activity prompts that assist young readers in establishing personal and
historical connections. Through her traditional storytelling voice Erdrich
presents an engaging historical narrative that respects Native American
history.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
★ School Library Journal: “Erdrich’s storytelling is masterful. Readers
will be more than happy to welcome little Chickadee into their hearts.”
★ Kirkus Reviews: “A beautifully evolving story of an indigenous American family.”
Horn Book: “Readers will absorb the history lesson almost by
osmosis; their full attention will be riveted on the story.”
Booklist: “Most affecting are the descriptions of Makoons’
loneliness without his brother.”
Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
5. CONNECTIONS
This book lends itself to class discussions about Native
American culture, historical survival, and sibling bonds.
Other books that explore Native American history or family
strength include:
Erdrich, Louise. The Game of Silence. ISBN 0060297891
— The prequel to Chickadee, exploring the journey of Chickadee’s mother,
Omakayas.
Bruchac, Joseph. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo
Marines of World War Two. ISBN 0142405965 — A story of Native American
contribution during WWII.
Dorris, Michael. Morning Girl. ISBN 078681358X — Set
just before the arrival of Columbus, it tells a gentle story of Taino siblings
in the Caribbean.
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Yep, Laurence. Hiroshima: A Novella. New York:
Scholastic, 1995. ISBN 9780590208321
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Sachi is a twelve-year-old girl who lives in Hiroshima,
Japan when the Second World War is ongoing. On the morning of August 6th, 1945,
the children put on their air-raid hoods when they hear a bomber plane passing
above. They have taken off the hoods thinking the danger is over, only to
realize the bomber was only a scout plane for the second plane, the Enola Gay.
Sachi is suddenly and violently thrust into a world that no one can comprehend.
Her sister is dead, the city is in shambles, and she is left with bad burns and
a damaged psyche. For years, she hides from the world because people shunned
her because of her scars and her radiation sickness. At the end, Sachi is one
of the Hiroshima Maidens, a group of young women from Hiroshima who are taken
to the United States for surgery. Laurence Yep gives readers an idea of how
nuclear war affects individuals and a nation in his story.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sachi is a believable and relatable young character who has
the right to be the voice of the children who were affected by the bombing. Her
daily life, her fears, and later, her
courage are the emotional price of surviving something like that. The novella’s
simple language helps the reader to concentrate on her emotional state and to
understand the size of the catastrophe in her way of thinking. The story is
based on the actual historical events and is presented in a chronological order
starting from the day of the bombing and ending with Sachi being in the United
States and coming back to Japan. Even though the story is short, it paints a
vivid picture of what the bombing was like and the long way towards healing.
Choosing to narrate the story through the eyes of a child survivor helps to
simplify the complex issues to be comprehensible to the young readers. The
setting is vividly conveyed. The destruction of Hiroshima is also described in detail,
the light, the sound, the wind and the pieces of glass flying around to give a
picture of the disaster caused by the bomb. Through short present-tense
chapters and factual inserts between fictional sections the book achieves both
emotional impact and historical accuracy. The story presents itself as a
combination of educational content and narrative structure despite occasional
abrupt transitions. There are source notes and context in the back matter that
make the book feel more real.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Publishers Weekly: “Yep's account of the bombing of
Hiroshima and its devastating aftermath is at once chilling and searing, hushed
and thundering.”
School Library Journal: “His words are powerful and
compelling… readers will be moved by her tale.”
5. CONNECTIONS
This novella can serve as a powerful entry point for
students studying WWII, Japanese history, or the effects of nuclear warfare. It
also invites reflection on empathy, peace, and survival.
Recommended companion reads:
Maruki, Toshi. Hiroshima No Pika. ISBN 0688012973 — A
picture book that offers a child’s-eye view of the bombing through
illustrations and simple narration.
Morimoto, Junko. My Hiroshima. ISBN 0670846394 — A
more personal and visual account of surviving the Hiroshima bombing, told by an
actual survivor.
Bunting, Eve. The Terrible Things: An Allegory of the
Holocaust. ISBN 059046154X — Though not about Hiroshima, this allegorical
tale promotes discussion about war, fear, and moral responsibility.
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Phelan, Matt. The Storm in the Barn. Somerville, MA:
Candlewick, 2011. ISBN 9780763652906
2. PLOT SUMMARY
The story takes place in Kansas during the devastating Dust
Bowl year of 1937 where the main character Jack Clark faces environmental
disasters and emotional struggles. The farm faces destructive dust storms while
his sister suffers from "dust pneumonia" and he faces bullying
because of his shy nature. Jack's discovery of an enigmatic figure in the
abandoned barn causes his perception of reality to become uncertain. The
mysterious presence could be genuine or it might stem from "dust dementia"
which people in his struggling community mention. Jack must find the courage to
face the darkness inside the barn because it leads him to discover hidden inner
strength.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jack presents as a realistic character because he represents
an ordinary boy who strives to survive
during a challenging period. Readers can easily connect with Jack because he
wants to protect his family and his sick sister and gain his father's approval.
The narrative combines authentic Dust Bowl historical elements such as dust
storms and crop failures with the fantastical element of the barn mystery
figure which creates a historical and imaginative storytelling experience. The
story depends heavily on its setting because the soft illustrations in the book
accurately depict the dryness and despair that characterized towns during this
period. The story explores three universal themes which remain relevant to
modern readers: courage, coming of age and hope against all odds. The author
uses minimal text alongside expressive illustrations to create a story that
focuses on emotions and atmosphere which makes the book suitable for reluctant
readers and fans of graphic novels. Through the blend of historical facts and
folklore the story presents an authentic portrayal of how stories combined with
bravery function as tools for navigating difficult times.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
★ Booklist: “Phelan turns every panel of this little masterpiece into a spare
and melancholy window into another era.”
★ School Library Journal: “Children can read this as a work of historical fiction, a piece
of folklore, a scary story, a graphic novel, or all four.”
★ Bulletin of the Center for
Children’s Books: “With its
appealing format and touch of fantasy, this tale of coming of age in hard times
will entice readers who may otherwise be indifferent to historical fiction.”
★ Horn Book: “Measured, masterful panel pacing…a tender,
triumphant resolution.”
5. CONNECTIONS
This book is a great conversation starter about
environmental hardship, family strength, and using imagination to process
trauma. It’s ideal for visual learners and reluctant readers who may be drawn
in by the graphic novel format.
Related titles:
Murphy, Jim. Children of the Dust Bowl: The True Story of
the School at Weedpatch Camp. ISBN 9780395776087 — A nonfiction account of
Dust Bowl children and how they survived and thrived.
Taylor, Mildred D. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. ISBN
9780142401125 — Though set in a different era and region, this novel explores
resilience and injustice through the eyes of a young narrator.
Larson, Kirby. Hattie Big Sky. ISBN 9780385735957 — A
historical novel about a teenage girl homesteader during WWI, filled with grit
and hope, much like Jack’s journey.
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War That Saved My Life.
New York: Dial Books, 2016. ISBN 9780147510488
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In England during World War II, The War That Saved My Life
tells the story of Ada, a ten-year-old girl born with a clubfoot, who was kept
indoors by her cruel, ashamed mother. When London begins evacuating children to
the countryside to escape bombings, Ada escapes alongside her younger brother
Jamie. The two are placed with Susan Smith, a reluctant guardian still grieving
personal losses. Gradually, Ada starts to learn about the world, how to ride a
pony, read, and above all, how to trust. Just when the air raids loom and the
war approaches, Ada finds strength and courage she never knew she had and forms
a bond with Susan that changes their lives.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Ada and Jamie are very believable characters, fearful,
strong and loyal to each other as siblings. Ada’s voice, having been shaped by
years of neglect and isolation, is unapologetic and truthful. Her progression
from wary and defensive to determined and brave gives the story an emotional
depth. Susan is complex, reluctant and grieving at first, she becomes a gentle,
steady force. Even the children’s mother, though cruel, is written in a way
that will resonate with some readers who may be able to identify with feelings
of rejection or fear. The story is historically accurate, but it is presented
in a child friendly manner. Events like bombings, rationing, and evacuations
are realistically portrayed through Ada’s eyes, so that younger readers can
understand how they made her feel. A scene in which a war ad terrifies Ada
during a movie, or where ration coupons are explained, helps to bring the story
back to real wartime events, without overwhelming the reader. The setting is a
major character in this story, and it brings wartime Britain to life. From the
crowded London flat Ada escapes to the quiet countryside house near a Royal Air
Force base, the locations are carefully described, anchoring the story in both
time and place. Themes of courage, chosen family, and personal freedom are
timeless. Although war is the backdrop, the heart of the story is about
emotional healing and the importance of oneself and other people. These universal themes are still relevant for
children today, particularly for those in need or those seeking a sense of
belonging. Bradley used first-person accounts of the war and facsimiles of books and pamphlets published
then, which gives it a grounded, well-researched feel.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
★ Kirkus Reviews: “Brisk and honest…Cause for
celebration.”
★ Publishers Weekly: “Poignant.”
★ The Horn Book: “Powerful.”
Awards:
Newbery Honor Book
Schneider Family Book Award
Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of the Century
5. CONNECTIONS
This book invites discussion on disability, resilience, and
the effects of war on children. It pairs well with lessons on WWII history,
empathy, and family dynamics.
Suggested related reads:
Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. ISBN 9780547577098 –
Another middle-grade WWII novel, focusing on friendship and bravery in
Nazi-occupied Denmark.
Giff, Patricia Reilly. Lily’s Crossing. ISBN
9780440414537 – A WWII story set in New York, with themes of loss, courage, and
unexpected friendship.
Bradley, Kimberly Brubaker. The War I Finally Won.
ISBN 9780525429203 – The sequel to The War That Saved My Life, continuing Ada’s
journey with more challenges and growth.
