The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis

Bibliography

Ellis, Deborah.  2000. THE BREADWINNER. Berkeley, CA: Publishers Group West. ISBN 0-88899-419-2.

Plot summary:

The story is set in Kubal, Afghanistan. The main character is 11-year old Parvana. She works with her father in the market, where he reads and writes letters for people to earn a living. The story tells of how Parvana's family works to survive both before and after her father is arrested by the Taliban.

Critical Analysis:

Parvana's story is heartbreaking and it brings the atrocities of how women and families are treated in that area of the world. I feel the story gives readers a good view of how life is for many in Afghanistan. Parvana's family is close, but their are issues: the 2 sisters do not get along, there is a brother who was killed and the family mourns for him, constant fear of the Taliban and the unknown of what they may do.

I feel language plays a huge part in this story because the author uses words like burqa, nan, pakul and many others that most Americans would not be familiar with. She also provides a list of words and definitions in the back of the book to help readers.

In the novel I felt there were quite a few "holes" that the author did not finish in the story. A few were: Who was the woman throwing gifts to Parvana? What did the buyer of the bones do with them? What happened to the rest of Mrs. Weera's family?

Review Excerpts:

Booklist: "Unfortunately, the novel never deals with religious facets of Afghan life, failing to explain that the Taliban sees itself, essentially, as a religious group. Nonetheless, The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive and sexist conditions."

Connections:

Here is a Prereading WebQuest for grades 4-7 on The Breadwinner.

http://literacynet.org/cortez/

Eillis continues the story with the sequal, Parvana's Journey.

Koala Lou by Mem Fox

Koala Lou by Mem Fox

Fox, Mem. 1988. Koala Lou. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0152000763

Plot Summary:

Koala Lou is loved by everyone in the Bush, especially her mother. She is frequently told how much she is loved until other brothers and sisters become part of the family.  Koala Lou devises a plan to win back her mother's affection. 

Critical Analysis:

Koala Lou's story is touching in that is shows how innocent children are and how easily they are hurt. I think most children could relate to this book and see themselves as "Koala Lou".  I like that the setting is in the Australian Outback and the illustrations depict many animals native to Australia.  The illustrations are colorful and interesting.   Other than the animals depicted in the illustrations and the setting of the Olympic games being the "Bush Olympics" nothing else teaches about Australia. I think Fox could have put in vocabulary or other details to teach readers about that area of the world.

Review Excerpts:

School Library Journal:  "Koala Lou is appealing and truly believable...Fox brings out the best in her characters, and also conveys an important message about competition."

Publishers Weekly:  "A perfect example of why the Australian writer has become one of today's top authors of children's books."

Connections:

Teachers could use this book when teaching about various animals and could encourage students to research animals native to Australia. 

Other books by Mem Fox:

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

Night Noises

Guess What?

Possum Magic

The Pull of The Ocean

The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

Winner of the Prix Sorcieres

Mourlevat, Jean-Claude. 2006. The Pull of the Ocean. New York, NY: Delacorte Press: ISBN 0385733488.

Plot Summary:

Late one night a young boy awakens his brothers insisting that they must leave their home immediately or risk being killed by their father. The boys do as their brother directs them to and embark on a long journey that leads them nowhere.

Critical Anyalysis:

This novel is translated from the French book L'enfant Ocean, which is also loosely based on Charles Perrault's  Tom Thumb.  The story  is told in by the various characters in the story. Each gives a brief description of the part they played or what they saw happening with the 7 brothers.  There are 21 different descriptions. Hearing the story told from a variety of "voices" and viewpoints makes  for an interesting read.

Personally, I thought this story was odd and I did not enjoy reading it. The description of the family was well done, and I could easily visualize each character. I have not read Tom Thumb, maybe if I had I would have enjoyed this book more.  I felt the story went in a circle and did not have much of an ending.  

Connections:  

Teachers could easily choose other Batchelder Award books and have students discuss and compare them to each other.

Review Excerpts:

 School Library Journal: "A well-crafted mystery awaits anyone reading this fables jigsaw puzzle...a memorable novel that readers will find engaging and intellectually satisfying."

Publishers Weekly: "Mourlevat enchantingly blends the harshly read and the make-believe...[in this] effectively haunting, fluidly translated tale."

2007 Winner of the Mildred l. Batchelder Award

2007 Winner ALA Notable Children's Book