BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Dorris, Michael. 1992. MORNING GIRL. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 1562822853
SUMMARY
MORNING GIRL is set in 1492 in the Bahamas, before Christopher Columbus has made his discovery. Two siblings, Morning Girl and Star Boy tell the story in alternating chapters. They are two opposites, one enjoying the day and one the night. They experience sibling rivalry similar to children today. The story follows the lives of this native family, and the story concludes with the arrival of Christopher Columbus to their island.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
MORNING GIRL is a simple family story set during a period of time not often written about. The everyday lives of the native people do not seem much different from those of children today. The siblings in this story experience many of the same rivalries and challenges children today do. However, this family is obviously not living in a modern world. Morning Girl expresses a desire to see her own likeness, but there are no mirrors for her to see herself. In addition, they live in primitive quarters very different from our own modern conveniences.
There are many cultural markers throughout the text adding to the authenticity of the work. First, the characters names are strong examples of Native American culture. In fact, at one point in the story, the young boy is given his “grown up” name. He is no longer called Hungry and will instead be known as Star Boy. This is clearly a significant moment in this culture. In addition, we learn that women must go to the “Women’s House” during their menstrual cycle. This is clearly a cultural practice that stands out in the text, adding to the authenticity. Anther example of a cultural marker is the description of the large tree known by all the people of the island. It is said that all of their ancestors can be found in the trees bark. This is an example of a unique religious belief in this culture. Finally, anther cultural marker that stands out in MORNING GIRL is the description of the painted faces and jewelry of the people. They “wore flattened gold leaves in their earlobes, some placed hibiscus blooms in their hair or hung long necklaces of shells around their necks” (p. 48). Each of these cultural markers adds to the strength of cultural authenticity in the story.
Overall, MORNING GIRL provides a unique look at the lives and culture of the Native People in the Bahamas before Columbus and the Europeans discovered it. Dorris portrays likable characters in the siblings, and he deals with sensitive subjects such as miscarriage in a delicate manner. Young people can relate to the characters and identify with their struggles.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
“A story of a Taino girl and her brother, set in 1492 in the Bahamas. Sibling rivalry, jealously, and love--all are related with elegance and warmth, reflecting a simplicity of lifestyle and universality of experiences.”—School Library Journal
CONNECTIONS
**Create a reader’s theatre script using this text.
**Another book similar is Jane Yolen’s ENCOUNTER
Dorris, Michael. 1992. MORNING GIRL. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 1562822853
SUMMARY
MORNING GIRL is set in 1492 in the Bahamas, before Christopher Columbus has made his discovery. Two siblings, Morning Girl and Star Boy tell the story in alternating chapters. They are two opposites, one enjoying the day and one the night. They experience sibling rivalry similar to children today. The story follows the lives of this native family, and the story concludes with the arrival of Christopher Columbus to their island.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
MORNING GIRL is a simple family story set during a period of time not often written about. The everyday lives of the native people do not seem much different from those of children today. The siblings in this story experience many of the same rivalries and challenges children today do. However, this family is obviously not living in a modern world. Morning Girl expresses a desire to see her own likeness, but there are no mirrors for her to see herself. In addition, they live in primitive quarters very different from our own modern conveniences.
There are many cultural markers throughout the text adding to the authenticity of the work. First, the characters names are strong examples of Native American culture. In fact, at one point in the story, the young boy is given his “grown up” name. He is no longer called Hungry and will instead be known as Star Boy. This is clearly a significant moment in this culture. In addition, we learn that women must go to the “Women’s House” during their menstrual cycle. This is clearly a cultural practice that stands out in the text, adding to the authenticity. Anther example of a cultural marker is the description of the large tree known by all the people of the island. It is said that all of their ancestors can be found in the trees bark. This is an example of a unique religious belief in this culture. Finally, anther cultural marker that stands out in MORNING GIRL is the description of the painted faces and jewelry of the people. They “wore flattened gold leaves in their earlobes, some placed hibiscus blooms in their hair or hung long necklaces of shells around their necks” (p. 48). Each of these cultural markers adds to the strength of cultural authenticity in the story.
Overall, MORNING GIRL provides a unique look at the lives and culture of the Native People in the Bahamas before Columbus and the Europeans discovered it. Dorris portrays likable characters in the siblings, and he deals with sensitive subjects such as miscarriage in a delicate manner. Young people can relate to the characters and identify with their struggles.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
“A story of a Taino girl and her brother, set in 1492 in the Bahamas. Sibling rivalry, jealously, and love--all are related with elegance and warmth, reflecting a simplicity of lifestyle and universality of experiences.”—School Library Journal
CONNECTIONS
**Create a reader’s theatre script using this text.
**Another book similar is Jane Yolen’s ENCOUNTER
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