Genre Five: Historical Novels
Erdich, Louis. Chickadee. New York: HarperCollins, 2012. ISBN 9780060577926 Plot Summary: Chickadee is living with his Native American family and is kidnapped by two neighbor boys. He is set off on a scary journey to unknown areas of the world. His mother and twin brother are scared and set off to find him. Critical Analysis: Erdrich has created two very believable characters. She is able to show the brotherly and twin connection between Chickadee and his brother. She exemplifies this in the beginning by having them beg to tell the story of how they were born. "Omaykayas looked down at him and smiled wearily. She had told this story a hundred times, and Chickadee had told it a hundred times more." On that same page is a beautiful pencil drawing of the two boys showing their Native American heritage with the long braids and facial features. She is also able to show the anguish a mother and father go through when they have lost their child. "Animikiins ...