BIBLOGRAPHY
Smith, Cynthia Leitich and Van Wright, Corneluis and Hu, Ying-gwa. 2000. JINGLE DANCER. NewYork: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN: 0-688-16241-X.
PLOT SUMMARY
This story is about Jenna who happens to be of the Muscogee Nation and also of Ojibway descent. Jenna is a young girl of Native American descent and has dreams of dancing the jingle dance at the powwow. Jenna watches video of her Grandma Wolfe dancing to learn the steps and her Grandma agrees to let her dance with the girls at the next powwow but there is no time to make jingles for her dress. Jenna is sad that her dress will not “sing” when she dances because it will be missing jingles. Jenna goes to see three female family members and friends and asks them for a row of jingles for her dress. Her Great-aunt Sis gives her a row and tells her that her legs don’t work well anymore. Mrs. Scott gives her a row of jingles since she will be selling fry bread and Indian tacos at the powwow. Cousin Elizabeth gives her a row of jingles since she will be working of a big law case and won’t make it to the powwow. Jenna decides to ask her Grandma Wolf for the last row of jingles for her dress. Grandma agrees and they work on her dress together to get ready for the powwow. Jenna is very proud to dance the bounce-steps in her jingle dress at the powwow and she remembers all those ladies who lent their jingles.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
There is an author’s note at the end of the book giving more detailed information about the jingle dress and dance. Also, a glossary of a four words follows the author’s note and gives more explanation as to their meaning in Native American culture.
The illustrations depict what I would term a typical American home and lifestyle. There are only a few items in the pictures that would discern a culture: Jenna’s dream, eagle feathers, the video on the tv, a dress hanging on a door, a bag of jingles, Mrs. Scott’s jewelry, her cousin’s dreamcatcher, Jenna’s moccasins for the dance, a braided basket on a table and the powwow itself. The character’s appearance is dark hair and tan skin tones.
As Jenna is on her search for jingles her Great-aunt Sis tells her a Muscogee Creek Story about Bat. This story helps Jenna realize that she must try hard even though she is small to make a difference with her jingle dance. Jenna shows great pride in her heritage and wants to continue the tradition of the jingle dancer. Many times young people either except their heritage or try to deny their culture and choose a new route. Jenna embraces the dance and its meaning and finds a way to borrow jingles so her dress will “sing” like Grandma Wolf’s dress. She meticously practices the steps so she will know them at the time of the powwow.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies and a Selector's Choice for 2001
2001 2 x 2 Reading List of twenty books recommended for children ages two through second
grade by the Texas Library Association
One of five finalists for the children's/YA division of the Oklahoma Book Award
Runner-up for the Storyteller Award from the Western Writers Association
Named a CCBC Choice for 2001
Debuts That Deliver (Book Magazine)
Editor's Choice, Library Talk
featured in GREAT BOOKS ABOUT THINGS KIDS LOVE by Kathleen Odean
2002 Read Across Texas Bibliography (Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Children’s Literature – “Jenna dreams of having a dress with jingles for the upcoming powwow, but as her grandmother notes, there aren't any extras and there isn't enough time to make them.”
School Library Journal – “This picture book will not only satisfy a need for materials on Native American customs, but will also be a welcome addition to stories about traditions passed down by the women of a culture.”
Kirkus Reviews – “The author is deliberately showing us, it would seem, that all Native Americans are not poor or live on rundown reservations. A useful portrayal of an important cultural event in a Creek girl's year.”
CONNECTIONS
Smith, Cynthia Leitich and Van Wright, Corneluis and Hu, Ying-gwa. 2000. JINGLE DANCER. NewYork: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN: 0-688-16241-X.
PLOT SUMMARY
This story is about Jenna who happens to be of the Muscogee Nation and also of Ojibway descent. Jenna is a young girl of Native American descent and has dreams of dancing the jingle dance at the powwow. Jenna watches video of her Grandma Wolfe dancing to learn the steps and her Grandma agrees to let her dance with the girls at the next powwow but there is no time to make jingles for her dress. Jenna is sad that her dress will not “sing” when she dances because it will be missing jingles. Jenna goes to see three female family members and friends and asks them for a row of jingles for her dress. Her Great-aunt Sis gives her a row and tells her that her legs don’t work well anymore. Mrs. Scott gives her a row of jingles since she will be selling fry bread and Indian tacos at the powwow. Cousin Elizabeth gives her a row of jingles since she will be working of a big law case and won’t make it to the powwow. Jenna decides to ask her Grandma Wolf for the last row of jingles for her dress. Grandma agrees and they work on her dress together to get ready for the powwow. Jenna is very proud to dance the bounce-steps in her jingle dress at the powwow and she remembers all those ladies who lent their jingles.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
There is an author’s note at the end of the book giving more detailed information about the jingle dress and dance. Also, a glossary of a four words follows the author’s note and gives more explanation as to their meaning in Native American culture.
The illustrations depict what I would term a typical American home and lifestyle. There are only a few items in the pictures that would discern a culture: Jenna’s dream, eagle feathers, the video on the tv, a dress hanging on a door, a bag of jingles, Mrs. Scott’s jewelry, her cousin’s dreamcatcher, Jenna’s moccasins for the dance, a braided basket on a table and the powwow itself. The character’s appearance is dark hair and tan skin tones.
As Jenna is on her search for jingles her Great-aunt Sis tells her a Muscogee Creek Story about Bat. This story helps Jenna realize that she must try hard even though she is small to make a difference with her jingle dance. Jenna shows great pride in her heritage and wants to continue the tradition of the jingle dancer. Many times young people either except their heritage or try to deny their culture and choose a new route. Jenna embraces the dance and its meaning and finds a way to borrow jingles so her dress will “sing” like Grandma Wolf’s dress. She meticously practices the steps so she will know them at the time of the powwow.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies and a Selector's Choice for 2001
2001 2 x 2 Reading List of twenty books recommended for children ages two through second
grade by the Texas Library Association
One of five finalists for the children's/YA division of the Oklahoma Book Award
Runner-up for the Storyteller Award from the Western Writers Association
Named a CCBC Choice for 2001
Debuts That Deliver (Book Magazine)
Editor's Choice, Library Talk
featured in GREAT BOOKS ABOUT THINGS KIDS LOVE by Kathleen Odean
2002 Read Across Texas Bibliography (Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Children’s Literature – “Jenna dreams of having a dress with jingles for the upcoming powwow, but as her grandmother notes, there aren't any extras and there isn't enough time to make them.”
School Library Journal – “This picture book will not only satisfy a need for materials on Native American customs, but will also be a welcome addition to stories about traditions passed down by the women of a culture.”
Kirkus Reviews – “The author is deliberately showing us, it would seem, that all Native Americans are not poor or live on rundown reservations. A useful portrayal of an important cultural event in a Creek girl's year.”
CONNECTIONS
This text would be a good starting point for a study of Native American Cultures.
Boraas, T. THE CREEK: FARMERS OF THE SOUTHWEST. ISBN: 9780736815666
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BOWLES : DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE CREEK NATION.
ISBN: 9780820335582
One would have to be careful as to the age of the audience and what materials are used. There are many events in the Native American culture that would be inappropriate for younger students.
Book cover image by Barnes and Noble website.
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