Little House by Any Other Name Might Smell Like: Birchbark House

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. Hyperion, 1999.

It’s Little House but from the Native American perspective! I love it.

Erdrich accomplishes a lovely coming of age story with many of the same devices Wilder uses. Incredibly specific detail, a gentle narrative that strays from close 3rd limited to omniscient when it needs to. Family stories scattered throughout.

But Erdrich does more—she allows her protagonist to suffer (she loses her baby brother), and she takes the spirituality of the culture very seriously. Despite the author having these contemporary sensibilities, the book still has the timeless feel that Wilder’s have. Lovely.

My Favorite Queen: Elizabeth

Behind the Mask: The Life of Queen Elizabeth by Jane Resh Thomas. 1998.

Dense, detailed, drenched in history. Jane’s passion comes through every intimate detail. I wonder if it shouldn’t have been YA. I could imagine my 9yr-old son asking, “What’s a lover, Mom?” And the sheer density of information: all the political intrigues, much pre-understanding about the times assumed ... it screams YA to me.

• As a former student of Jane's, I can see many of JRT’s writing habits: powerful verbs, clear sentences, no improper referents. These (hahahaa!) do make for a forward-moving style. The great complexities of Elizabeth’s story are communicated with stunning clarity and depth.
• Whine of the day: Not enough pictures, and if a publisher were going to do such a heavy book, why not do the whole thing in color? I used to do graphic design - color doesn't cost that much more. Not these days.
• Prodigious research both into Elizabeth’s person as well as the times during which she lived. All I can say is Wow.

Residency, January 2010

Highlights from residency thus far? Phyllis shows off a book dummy - the publisher's proofs (cool!) and Mandy Bachta's awesome sandwich.

But honestly, who said MN is cold in January? I mean, I'm only wearing one pair of gloves under my mittens. This is nothing!

And the Thunder Rolls

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor. 1976.

Love the voice. “Mama’s gonna wear you out.” It sings with authenticity with enough description to make the setting vivid without being overwhelming, and all of it is in Cassie’s voice (more or less), which makes it interesting as well as informative. The scene with the books made me cry. Moving prose but without being manipulative. The characters are merely reacting to the realistic situation in real ways—and it’s heartbreaking.

Despite this being an older book, there’s a moment where revenge tastes sweet. There’s the required line of “good thing no one got hurt,” but otherwise no moralizing. Not the first book to do this, obviously, but contrast it with those God-awful Elsie Dinsmore books, or the mostly awful rewrites ... how good to see evolution at work!

Taylor captures the racial tensions well, so even the crossing of a bridge becomes a skirmish in this tense war. So many strong themes of justice, right/wrong, etc. Yet all is woven to create a compelling and seamless plot. A true classic.

Fiction Meets Nonfiction: Quack!

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.

Natural science and strong plot combine to make a classic.

This is a cute story about a mother duck seeking the best home for her ducklings. Facts about molting, duck predators, food sources come to life with simple, happy illustrations that use many varying angles and perspectives. Repetition of names makes for a fun, if lengthy, read-aloud.

A Childhood Favorite

Corduroy by Don Freeman. Puffin Books, 1968.

A classic and one of my childhood favorites. I didn’t notice Lisa was African American until I read it again as an adult, but now I see the parallel between her race and her acceptance of Corduroy just the way he is -- especially given the time in which it was published.

The writing itself is simple, fluid, clear without a lot of splash. Perfect continuity with the illustrations and storyline. I remember being touched by Lisa’s unconditional acceptance of her bear -- that she loves him even with the missing button, but selflessly fixes it for his own comfort. One of those books that shaped my own life narrative.