Bibliography
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2001. Rain is not my Indian Name.
New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0688173977
Plot Summary
Rain loses her best friend, Galen. They have been friends
since early childhood, and he is gone at the age of thirteen. The story covers
Rain’s journey from the night of her best friend’s death through her recovery
of dealing with his death. In addition, Rain must deal with life in general
which includes political controversy around a Native American summer camp,
growing up without a mother and with a father who works overseas, an older
brother dealing with an unexpected pregnancy, and losing the friendship of the
only other person besides Galen that she trusts with her secrets.
Critical Analysis
This story is about loss and dealing with death. Rain goes
on an emotional journey throughout the story of learning how to live without
her best friend. Other issues are explored in addition to loss such as living
in a small town prone to gossip, being in love for the first time with your
best friend, handling others’ perceptions of a mixed race heritage, being
Native American in a town that is majority white, and living in a
non-traditional household. Rain deals with all these issues one day at a time,
and although full resolution is not achieved at the story’s end, there is the
promise that Rain will get through her troubles just fine.
Cultural markers abound in this story. Rain is of mixed
race; she is Muscogee Creek-Cherokee and Scots-Irish from her mother and
Irish-German-Ojibway from her father. Those who do not know her usually assume
that she is white. However, Rain tans fairly quickly. The story is full of
insights about Rain’s Native American culture that may make readers curious to
learn more. For example, Rain hesitates in buying a dreamcatcher because they
are a fad with so many inauthentic ones out there. She groups them with being
associated with fakelore. However, when she sees how beautifully handcrafted
the one that Dmitri’s mother made is, she changes her mind and purchases it.
Another culturally authentic moment that stands out to me is when Rain’s Aunt
Georgia is being interviewed by the Flash for the newspaper. The Flash wants to
know more about the wild-rice harvest, which is an Ojibway tradition. Aunt
Georgia does not feel comfortable talking about another tribe’s traditions to an
outsider and so politely tells the Flash to contact a tribal member if he wants
more information about it. Rain explains that the harvest may have spiritual
importance and this is Aunt Georgia’s way of telling him to not inquire. This
moment also makes it apparent how each tribe is distinct with its own
traditions and stories.
As an avid reader of
adventure tales, I find this story slow. However, I did find myself curious as
to whether Rain would overcome her grief and was able to relate to many of the
issues explored throughout the story. In fact, many readers will relate to the
issues that Rain faces. I recognize that the goal of the story is not to
entertain but to reveal certain aspects of everyday life. I can appreciate
that, and I have to admit that this is the first book I have read about Native
Americans in a modern context. This fact alone is refreshing!
Awards Won & Review Excerpts
- Oklahoma Book Award, 2002 Finalist Children/Young Adult
- Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers & Storytellers Award, 2001
- Kirkus Reviews: "Tender, funny, and full of sharp wordplay, Smith's first novel deals with a whole host of interconnecting issues . . ."
- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: "Unfortunately, Rain’s story does not come into focus quickly or clearly enough. Two short chapters introduce and then kill off Rain’s best friend/boyfriend; after that, the complexities of the local backstory make it difficult for the reader to put together the big picture, in which issues of friendship and family are explored through fragmented views of interrelated plots. Still, Rain’s observations are appealingly wry, and readers who stay with her until these themes are fully developed will find food for thought in this exploration of cultural identity."
- VOYA: "A quick and easy read that will appeal to preteen and young teen girls, this novel is especially suited to ethnically mixed, Native American, or reluctant readers."
Connections
- Cynthia Leitich Smith has a presence on the Web. Check out her website for more information about her, the books she’s written, as well as information about other authors and books at http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/.
- Rain is not my Indian Name is full of details about Rain’s heritage such as her mother’s tear dress and the Ojibway wild-rice harvest. Research some of the cultural elements mentioned throughout the story. There is so much to discover! To get you started, the following websites may be of interest.
Wisconsin Historical Society. “Wild Rice Harvesting.”
Cochran, Wendell. “The Cherokee Tear Dress Facts.”
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