The Indian in the Cupboard

Rating:
Summary: the racism overrides anything else
Review: I am appalled that all these reviewers are either ignoring or are unaware of the offensive stereotypes in this book. If you read ANY multicultural education literature, this book is at the top of every list of offenders. In this day in age, we need to do better for our children.

Rating:
Summary: Review of the Audiobook - Educators Beware
Review: I recently purchased the audiobook of The Indian in the Cupboard for use in my classroom. I work with students who struggle with their reading and reading along with an audiobook increases student comprehension of the material. I was disappointed to discover that the author (Lynne Reid Banks) changed parts of the audio version. At first, I only noticed a few changes, such as trousers for leggings. Then I discovered that she completely changed parts of the text by doing adding descriptions and by changing Little Bear's name to Little Bull. I'm not sure why the author felt it necessary to make these changes, but it makes it difficult for students to follow along in the book when the audiobook does not follow the text word for word. If you plan to use the audiobook in an educational setting, be aware of these changes.

On the plus side, Lynne Reid Banks has a very pleasant reading voice. It is enjoyable to listen to her.

Rating:
Summary: Review of the Audiobook - Educators Beware
Review: I recently purchased the audiobook of The Indian in the Cupboard for use in my classroom. I work with students who struggle with their reading and reading along with an audiobook increases student comprehension of the material. I was disappointed to discover that the author (Lynne Reid Banks) changed parts of the audio version. At first, I only noticed a few changes, such as trousers for leggings. Then I discovered that she completely changed parts of the text by doing adding descriptions and by changing Little Bear's name to Little Bull. I'm not sure why the author felt it necessary to make these changes, but it makes it difficult for students to follow along in the book when the audiobook does not follow the text word for word. If you plan to use the audiobook in an educational setting, be aware of these changes.

On the plus side, Lynne Reid Banks has a very pleasant reading voice. It is enjoyable to listen to her.

Rating:
Summary: Racist
Review: If I could have given this book a rating of zero stars - I would have. Yes, it is an intersting story. I'm sure many children and adults enjoy it. However, the racist ideas in the book only put the image of Native Americans as savages deeper into the mind of readers. It would be an excellent book if it were not so racist & culturally inaccurate.

Rating:
Summary: The mysterious, but magical cupboard that will change Omri?s
Review: Indian in the Cupboard is a fascinating book. It begins when Omri's (a young boy who lives in England) birthday arrives. As a birthday present, his best friend Patrick gives him an old plastic Indian of his. As you can imagine, this is not exactly what Omri had pictured. And, unfortunately, his family is poor, so his present from them is a cupboard that his older brother found in an alley. When Omri unwraps his present, he finds that there is no key included. So his substitutes the missing key with a key from his grandmothers prized box (With the permission of his mother, of course.). Omri was impressed with this present (surprisingly), because he could not stop thinking about all the wonderful things he would soon put in it. As Omri finaly takes the precious cupboard up to his room, he discovers something amazing as he places the Indian inside and locks the cupboard door...
I enjoyed reading this book because I thought it was a very descriptive book. Such, I thought I was right beside Omri every second I read the book. I could perfectly picture all the settings, the aged cupboard, the characters, and the events like I was one of the characters. Indian in the Cupboard has the perfect balance of action, suspense, and mystery, thrill, and even, fun! I loved this book, and I look forward to reading it again.
I would recommend this book to anyone! This is a great book. Like I said, it has just the right balance of every thing you could want in a book.
And, if you get done with this book, and want to read more about Omri and his adventures, there are more great sequels to Indian in the Cupboard.

Rating:
Summary: probably my favorite kid's book ever
Review: Mrs. Bedwell read this book out loud to my third grade class, and years later as I finish up grad school it still holds a special place in my heart.
The adventure begins when Omri discovers that a magical cupboard given to him on his birthday brings to life plastic toys. When he animates Little Bear, a plastic indian that lived about the time of the French Indian War, Omri's perspective on life changes.
What's special about this book is the how resectfully and seriously it takes the it's young characters and their conflicts. Omri and his friend Patrick discover that Little Bear is no toy, he is a real human being with actual life experiences. He has killed people, eats and sleeps, and remembers his own life and culture. As the two boys deal with the reality of keeping a real person concealed from others, they realize that they can't trifle with others' lives. It is this realization, and Omri's ultimate decision regarding Little Bear that make this a lovely coming of age story. Omri and Patrick learn to repect others and their beliefs.
Although Little Bear, the Native American toy brought to life is called an Indian, this book, I feel, is not chracterized by racism or stereotypes. Little Bear is not a western move redman, he's a real human being with a real human personality, and portrayed respectfully and realistically (as much as he can be, considering the plot).
This book is a definite must read for any kid, or kid at heart, who wonders what would happen if toys came to life.
"The Indian in the Cupboard" is one of four books, thought this one is the best. The final book, in which readers learn what makes the cuboard magical in the first place, detracts from the magic amd mystery of the first three books.

Rating:
Summary: Instant classic that will engage children and adults alike
Review: Omri is an ordinary British boy who stumbles on an extraordinary secret when he accidentally brings one of his Indian (Native American, that is) action figures to life. But he quickly learns that "his" Indian is a living, breathing being who has been taken from the life that he used to live. Omri and his friend are torn between a desire to toy with the magical forces they've been given, and a sense of responsibility to those whom their awesome powers affect.

This book is remarkable in that it doesn't write down to children; the language and sentence structures are both very sophisticated compared to other books written for the same age group. It also blends perfectly the ordinary character of Omri, and the magical forces that he encounters.

Unlike many children in these kinds of stories, Omri does just what any of us might do, and the plot challenges him in imaginative, yet realistic, ways.

Children will become addicted to these characters, and rush out to read the other books in the series. And adults should appreciate the lessons that the book teaches: most importantly, about respecting those over whom you have power (not that there's even a hint of preachiness). Also, an adult who is bored with reading children's books at bedtime might find this story as compelling as their child will.

As far as the charges of racism go, I can see how the portrayal of Little Bear's broken english and tendency toward violence might be seen as offensive. But I think the stereotypes are extended to the Texan cowboy (so that it's not as if Indians are being specifically targeted), and more importantly, the book goes to great lengths to teach Omri and the readers to respect Little Bear as a person. Omri feels awe as he learns about another culture, and learns that, despite their vast differences, he and Little Bear are alike in many ways, and can learn to love each other. So, I think that this book does more good than harm for race relations among its readers.


Rating:
Summary: This book is a magical return to childhood fantasies
Review: One of the best read aloud books ever, Indian in the Cupboard takes us on a magical journey to childhood where fantasies seem real. A young boy is in charge of a tiny, feisty indian whom he keeps in a special cupboard with a key that only he holds. He learns the excitement, value and caretaking responsibility of another human being. The imagination and detail draw the reader right into the story. As a school teacher and mother, I have experienced an emotional bonding with my students and son through this book. My son, 9 at the time, put his hands over his face and said, "Mom, this is my favorite book in the whole world." I felt a surge of joy as I watched my son become hooked on reading. One student unknowingly gave Lynne Reid Banks a wonderful compliment when I attempted to show the class a sketch of a picture in the book..."No! Don't show us the pictures!", and quickly covered his face. The descriptions and story-line of this book make it a DON'T MISS for your child's growing up years! RaNae Palme

Rating:
Summary: A stunning imaginative journey
Review: This book is fascinating in many regards. One, it's got magic: a real, true, amazing bit of magic. Two, it explores the friendship between two kids, complete with the sudden I-hate-yous and all. Three, it presents children with some thought-provoking scenarios. Should the children continue to make people until everybody has a wife, etc, or should the children return all the people to plastic after they've witnessed the real emotions and personalities of those people. The book asks deep moral questions in a way that kids can handle.
This would be a great book to read aloud. It's got enough action and a fast-paced storyline that kids would just love to hear you read it.

Rating:
Summary: The Indian In the Cupboard a review by Curtiss
Review: This book was first read to me when I was in the third grade. I just reread it thirteen years later and I got teary eyed and excited throughout the story. This book appeals to both adults and children. I think that this book opens children's minds and eyes into a world of compassion, friendship, responsibility, and magic. A lonely little boy is befriended for life by a toy figure and a wild cowboy, that are both only a few inches tall. I have never read the other books in the series, but I am now looking forward to it.