Jingle Dancer

Jingle Dancer. Cynthia Leitich Smith. Illus. by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 2000. 32 pages. (Hardcover) ISBN 0-688-15242-8. Grades PreK-4.

My Thoughts…

The basic plot of this story is not a new one; a young person has a desire, but needs something in order to fulfill it so they search until they find the solution. While this plot alone is not riveting or particularly engaging, the specifics in Jingle Dancer make Jenna’s quest for jingles a very special, heartfelt tale. This is not what I would call a page turner, but it definitely has and sends a very important and strong message to the reader. I found myself nodding and smiling over the smallest actions, because it was these that spoke the loudest. I loved how Jenna (who couldn’t be more than eight years old) was dreaming about her Grandma dancing a traditional Native American dance, not about barbies or new clothes or hanging out with friends. It is not because this girl is poor, or because the story is set in the far past, or because it is cultural heritage month. It seems to be because the girl honestly loves and wants to be engaged in her culture. I loved how the time of the day was told by sun and moon position and found that beautiful and touching. I also loved how Jenna and her Grandma were so close. I think their close relationship can speak to today’s readers, since so many children are being raised by their grandparents or another family member. I also loved how Jenna went to different members of her family, all of whom have different occupations and are of different ages, but who all still actively participate in their heritage. I think this shows that there is a blend and balance between tradition and culture and every day life. I thought it was so sweet how everyone gave Jenna a row of jingles, and how she is now the bridge and beacon for her family. She danced for everyone because she is the newest jingle dancer in a line of many. I think the author’s note in the back does a good job of highlighting the importance of this tradition as well. This would be a great book to use in a program of class. It would be neat to learn a dance or to make jingles.