Customer Reviews

Annie and the Old One

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Twenty years ago a child librarian recommended "Annie and the Old One" to me. I have explained death to small children using this book. Several are now adults. None have ever feared death. "Annie and the Old One will always remain part of my personal library.

Today, I send a copy of it to a dying grandmother to read to her small grandchildren. I am honored to send this gift to my friend, and thankful to the author, Miska Miles, for writing "Annie and the Old One" for all of us.

I'm a little puzzled by two negative entries in the review section for this book. The one by the second grade class seems to have missed the particular theme of this book and the second claims the story is predictable. Well, in a way, it is predictable. The grandmother's death is an inevitable event, and dealing with that death and loss is a story every child must deal with in their lives. The young girl in this book reacts with horror to the thought of losing her grandmother--and even tries to fight it--keep it from happening. In the end, she comes to an understanding and an acceptance of what death means and finds new strength for herself and her family. This is a wonderful book for those children who are dealing with the question of death in their own lives.

This book gently explains to young children the reality and inevitability of death. I enjoy reading this book as much as my daughter enjoys hearing it.

Annie and the Old One is a book about how a young girl feels when her grandmother is about to die. I like this book because a lot of books for kids don't talk about people dying. I'm an emotional person. This book is terrific because it gives a lot of information about the Native American culture.
Ben, Second Grade, 2005-2006

This book is excellent for two reasons: the story line and illustrations expose children to Navajo culture, and the relationship between a small child and her grandmother is one that small children can identify with. Reading this story can give parents and children's a starting point for talking about loss of a loved one.

I would say Annie and the Old One is sad but it's a great story for kids who are going through death in their life. The best part of the story is when Annie put her teacher's shoe in the trash! The worst part is when Annie's grandmother told Annie that she is going to die. I liked the ending because Annie started to weave for the first time.
Julia, Second Grade, 2005-2006

My favorite part of the story is when Annie puts her teacher's shoe in the trash. The worst part is when the grandmother told the famiy that when the new rug is taken off the loom, she was going to die around that time. I liked the ending because the grandmother did not die yet, so it wasn't too sad. This book is terrific because you have to learn that everybody has to die, and it sometimes has to be somone you love very much.
Charlotte, Second Grade, 2005-2006

I think this book is great because you learn a lesson that it is okay to feel sad when someone dies. This book is good for Native Americans and for people that are studying them. The pictures are also really nice. The best part of the story is when Annie puts her teacher's shoe in the garbage. The worst part of the story is when Annie learns her grandmother is going to die. I liked the ending because Annie figured out that people have to die. She stops being bad in class and learns a lesson.
Jesse, Second Grade, 05-06

What a great book! About Native Americans, life, death, and the connection to Mother Earth. I was touched, reading it to 4 and a half years old girl. Recommended to children from 4 and a half to about 8 or 9 and probably to everybody else.

Okay...is anyone else tired of little kids who think they have the key to masterful picture book-making. Well, I know that I am. I read these reviews, obviously written by children and find myself so extremely disgusted that I almost gag. Okay, maybe I don't gag, but...

For example the review that stated, word-for-word, "This book had a very thin plot. You pretty much always knew what was going to happen next. Some people may like this book, and others may not. I didn't like this book." You can tell the reviewer is under the age of ten, perhaps seven. And for the 'thin plot' argument, did you actually read 'Annie'. The writting was so beautiful, the plot layered, the almost-unrecognized symbolism (from the text: "The sun rose, but it also set. The cactus did not bloom forever. Petels dried and fell to the earth")--what's not to like!

Now, for the second grade class. Uhhh, have you guys ever thought that maybe this book wasn't intended for you. I read this book as a thirteen year old, a year ago, and recently reread it. I too, thought the story was mediocre at best and pondered on why it won a Newbery Honor. Now at a mature fourteen, I ponder no more. As I stated above, the book may not be for someone under thirteen. But once you hit the big 1-3, go out and buy Annie and the Old One. It won't dissapoint.

Oh, and note the beautiful illustrations by Caldecott Honoree Peter Parnall.

R, your friendly neighborhood reviewer.