Peck, Richard. 2003. The River Between Us. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803727356
PLOT SUMMARY
During the Civil War, the Pruitt family allows two young ladies to stay within their home. The two ladies are escapees from New Orleans to Illinois--one a servant, the other the owner...so it seems. This story exposes a secret that continues beyond generations...rooted deeply in several American family heritages.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting is a very integral part of the story--time and place are vividly described. The majority of the story is told by the character Tilly Pruitt, also known as Grandma Tilly, in a flashback during 1816. The story begins and ends in the setting of 1916--focusing around the thoughts of her "grandchild", Howard Leland Hutchings. This was an awesome story, very meticulously written and organized. The theme reflects the morals of the times, but still is relevant to today. For instance, this is a tale of mystery and disclosure of a historic and rarely mentioned social class--of sirens and their white gentlemen...a system of placage. The commonplace decision of many free slaves that could "pass as white" was to ignore their heritage in order to live life without prejudice and ridicule. The characters are very believable and appropriately depicted for the times indicated within the book. The character Delphine is a consistent player and representation of the quadroon social unit--that originated in New Orleans community--an existence that was threatened by the Civil War. The plot is realistic to the time period and presented in terms that are very understandable to children and young adult readers. Peck notes his research of the Civil War and the authenticity of the locations used at the end of the book. Peck focused mainly on the war adjacent to the northern part of the Mississippi River, and was sure to set the places in real locations. The overall style captures the flavor of the times in the locations depicted. Peck carefully and skillfully illustrated the stereotypes of the multiple heritages within this novel--all the while educating the reader of a hidden society.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST review: “True to Tilly's first-person narrative, each sentence is a scrappy, melancholy, wry evocation of character, time, and place, and only the character of Delphine's companion, Calinda, comes close to stereotype. A final historical note and a framing device--a grandson writing 50 years after the story takes place--make the reading even better, the revelations more astonishing. It's a riveting story that shows racism everywhere and young people facing war, not sure what side to be on or why.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “In this thoroughly researched novel, Peck masterfully describes the female Civil War experience, the subtle and not-too-subtle ways the country was changing, and the split in loyalty that separated towns and even families. Although the book deals with some weighty themes, it is not without humor.”
KIRKUS review: "A rich tale full of...mystery, and surprise."
CONNECTIONS
Other related information books:
Rostkowski, Margaret. After the Dancing Days. ISBN 0064402487
Rosoff, Meg. How I Live Now. ISBN 0641937563
Awards
Finalist for the 2003 National Book Award, Young People's Literature
Winner of the 2004 Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395692296
Cushman, Karen. 1996. The Midwife's Apprentice. Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin. New York: Recorded Books. ISBN 0395692296
PLOT SUMMARY
A poor girl of the Middle Ages, evolves from an extremely poor homeless child to someone with increased self worth. The main character, Brat ( also known as Beetle and then later, Alyce), eventually finds a better station in life than what she was accustomed. With the help of a somewhat difficult midwife, Brat learns more about herself and her abilities.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Evaluation of the audio adaptation elements
*Format: two audio cassettes; vinyl audio cassette album packaging.
*Unabridged recording.
*Reader: single, adult, non-celebrity, and female.
*Sound quality: clear pronunciation, acceptable volume, no background noise or static.
*Background effects: none, voice only.
*The reading: the narrator used slight vocal adjustments to differentiate multiple characters.
*The front and back matter: At the beginning of the tape is a brief introductory of the recording company, the author, the narrator, and the title of the story. Thereafter, the story starts immediately after the statement of the chapter title. At the end of the audio book, a brief authorial biography is stated as well as the publication data and the purchasing information about the audio book.
Listening experience: Overall the listening experience was a little boring. There were some interesting moments that were mainly due to the writer's work...the actual text. It was difficult at times to stay engaged with the narrator--I found myself rewinding several times to find storyline connections. For instance, I initially missed when Beetle, the apprentice chose her new name...Alyce.
In this coming of age type story, of a young person finding oneself, readers can identify with the main character...her struggle to find a better place in the world. Especially, the issue of the child not knowing who she is or where she came from--a plight that a child of adoption or abandonment can relate. The plot history is definitely not sugar-coated in this story. Cushman was not reluctant or guarded about using words that are considered foul or describing in detail the dirtiness of situations in medieval England. The setting in this tale is definitely an integral part as well. The technologies of the early 14th century are apparent throughout, i.e.: the lack of proper sewage control, through the author's depiction of dung heaps; lack of indoor plumbing; and minimal dental hygiene. The descent treatment of one another is the underlying moral theme throughout this story. The mistreatment of Alyce by her community can raise empathy from the reader. Cushman's writing style intermittently captures the speech patterns of the community--not so much to disengage the reader/listener. The author offers, at the end of the book, additional information about medieval midwifery, the impact of doctors on the field, and the re-emergence of the midwifery after 1960s. However, beyond that information, no other sources are cited in regards to England's medieval history.
Comparatively, there were benefits to listening to the audio book versus reading the book in print. The most advantageous for using the audio book is that the reader can listen while driving or performing other tasks. The not-so-interesting parts of the book are far more bearable to get through with the audio book. However, with the printed work, retention and comprehension of the storyline is greater...I would drift off and lose focus with the audio book. Most kids will have little appeal for reading or listening to this book on their own without coxing/incentive. This book will expose the reader of the different level of poverty some children had to face during that time period and it will help open their eyes to modern day poverty issues...not to mention, the differences in child labor to that of the past. If this book is assigned reading then the combination of the use of the audio book and the printed text will provide the optimal experience.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature.”
CONNECTIONS
Cushman, Karen. Catherine, Called Birdy. ISBN 0064405842
Spinelli, Jerry. Maniac Magee. ISBN 0316809063
Awards
1996 John Newbery Medal winner
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Uchida, Yoshiko. 1981. A jar of dreams. 1st Edition. Canada: Simon & Schuster Children's Books. ISBN 0689502109
PLOT SUMMARY
A young Japanese girl, Rinko and her parents, experience the hardships of the depression. The families' business is barely providing for their household. With the aid of a visiting aunt from Japan, the family sustains.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The reader will relate to the characters in this historical fiction; with the sense of familial conversation and simplistic emotional significance that people have towards shaping our self worth. Other readers may relate to Rinko's issue of being "talked around...as if invisible [at school]" and being different than others "I hate having a name like Rinko Tsujimura that nobody can pronounce or remember". The plot overall is written in simple terms for the reader to understand. The universal theme of having pride in your own ethnic heritage is a great attribute to express to the reader. The visitation of Aunt Waka from Japan and her kimono-wearing ways, slowly helps Rinko feel less embarrassed about where she came from and who she is. That element of the story will help any reader embrace and appreciate their individual heritage. Overall, the style of the story is seamlessly written. Uchida does not note her research for this book. However, this author was well renowned for other literary works similar to the issues of Japanese families (i.e., during World War II, etc)--as well as first-hand accounts from her personal history.
REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SIMON & SCHUSTER review: “Growing up in California during the depression isn't easy for eleven-year-old Rinko. She desperately wants to fit in and be like everyone else, but instead she is ridiculed and made to feel different because she is Japanese. But when Aunt Waka comes to visit, and brings with her the old-fashioned wisdom of Japan, she teaches Rinko the importance of her Japanese heritage, and the value of her own strengths and dreams, in this warm and touching story.”
CONNECTIONS
Uchida, Yoshiko. The Best Bad Thing. ISBN 0689717458
Uchida, Yoshiko. Journey To Topaz: A Story Of The Japanese-American Evacuation. ISBN 1890771910
AWARDS
Commonwealth Club Of California Silver Medal, 1982
Friends of Children and Literature award, 1987
