The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister. Charlotte Agell. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2010. 152 pages. $16.99 (Hardcover). ISBN 978-0-8050-8902-8. Grades 3-5.
My Thoughts...
India McAllister may be one of my new favorite characters because she reminds me of me! The similarities and attachment began the second I learned she lives in Maine and on a street called Blueberry! There were so many little things like this that probably wouldn’t’ ‘make’ the story for other readers but really make it work for me. The descriptions of the wacky weather, for example, they made me chuckle. I think some readers may just take it at face value (up until the June snow of course), but I knew exactly what India meant. I think readers will be envious of the free, no rules friendship of India and Colby too, since they can run around together at odd hours of the night for adventures. I know what this friendship is like. My neighbors and I often spent the night in the sprawling fields behind our house with sleeping bags and flashlights. I wonder if some readers would be worried about the unlocked doors too, that India mentions, but we didn’t lock the doors in our town either. One of the scenes that made me sigh was when India described a trip to Portland for an art show, since I love Portland. Oh yeah, and she's adopted, like me! These small things stood out to me personally, but I know that there are dozens of other things that would make readers fall in love with this story.
India McAllister may be one of my new favorite characters because she reminds me of me! The similarities and attachment began the second I learned she lives in Maine and on a street called Blueberry! There were so many little things like this that probably wouldn’t’ ‘make’ the story for other readers but really make it work for me. The descriptions of the wacky weather, for example, they made me chuckle. I think some readers may just take it at face value (up until the June snow of course), but I knew exactly what India meant. I think readers will be envious of the free, no rules friendship of India and Colby too, since they can run around together at odd hours of the night for adventures. I know what this friendship is like. My neighbors and I often spent the night in the sprawling fields behind our house with sleeping bags and flashlights. I wonder if some readers would be worried about the unlocked doors too, that India mentions, but we didn’t lock the doors in our town either. One of the scenes that made me sigh was when India described a trip to Portland for an art show, since I love Portland. Oh yeah, and she's adopted, like me! These small things stood out to me personally, but I know that there are dozens of other things that would make readers fall in love with this story.
The illustrations dispersed throughout the text, for example, are great! Not only do they give younger, possibly reluctant readers a break from pages of text, but they also let the reader see exactly what the author is describing. I think the sketches, since they look like a child did them; will also make the readers feel involved in India’s life, like this is her diary. The lists in each chapter and the short chapters themselves are also nifty reading tools for younger and/or reluctant readers. They break the story up in to manageable pieces so the readers won’t get overwhelmed. I also think that the active lifestyle and sense of adventure that India has will appeal to any gender audience. I think girls will like the book because it is about a girl, but that boys will be able to relate to her love of science, dirt, etc. I think that the general kid experience will make this book relatable to anyone.
India’s family situation is another unique factor in this book that I think will make it especially nice for some readers. Not only are India’s parents divorced, but her dad is now living with another man. This situation is important because 1) it shows that divorce isn’t too unusual so that children should not be ridiculed because of it.
At the same time, however, India’s situation worked out happily. Both parents are happy and have money and can spend time with her. This is not always the case and it could make kids feel bad that their parents weren’t “happy” with the divorce. At the same time though, it does show an example of the modern, non traditional family. The second big thing is that it introduces a homosexual couple. Seeing Richard and India’s dad together taking trips and cohabitating may be comforting and welcoming to children with similar family situations. I like how India accepts Richard, but still has the childhood twinge of jealousy. This jealousy seems to be a common trend and is epitomized in several GLBTQ picture books for children like Mini Mia and Her Darling Uncle and Uncle Bobby’s Wedding. I think that by presenting these feelings readers will know it is okay and normal to feel that way. I also think, however, that by accepting Richard in the end that readers may know and want to accept their parent’s partner. Even after all that, India is adopted, which is not necessarily a common trait in children's book characters. As an adopted kid I always appreciated seeing someone like me in stories.All in all I really liked this book, what it said, and how it was written. It was really fun and relatable!
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