Customer Reviews

Indian in the Cupboard

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I read the book The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. I liked how Omri changed during the book, because of the Indian. Omri learned more responsibility. The Indian, Little Bear also grew more responsible as Boone came along. Boone and Patrick also became more responsible.

In the beginning Omri was not really paying much attention to the presents he got for his birthday. Because he just left them on the floor. Once Little Bear came to life he realized that it was real and had to take care of it.

If Little Bear is responsible for anything Omri would take the blame so he wouldn't be discovered. Omri grew very close to Little Bear. And because of this the Indian grew more responsible.

The main point is that Omri changed each day that the Indian was there. His changes were small but they were changes. I don't think anyone will ever change Omri back. I really liked this book and you will probably like it too.

Chris a 6th grader

It's Omri's birthday and his brother and his friend have gotten him gifts that don't seem like the best gifts in the world. His brother gave him a cupboard that he found in an alley. And his friend, Patrick, gave him a plastic Indian figure. There's nothing too magical about these items and Omri is less than interested in them until he finds a key among his mother's extra keys that fits the cupboard.

He finds that when he puts a plastic figure in the cupboard and then locks the cupboard with that particular key, the figure comes to life! With a little experimenting, he finds that if he then locks the live figure back in, it returns to its original form.

Now Omri has a live Indian (a very small live Indian) living in his room. Sounds pretty neat, huh? Well, Omri soon finds out that it's not so easy to be responsible for another human being no matter how small they are.

The Indian's name is Little Bear and he makes demands on Omri such as asking for supplies to make a longhouse, paint for decorations and - most importantly - food. Omri has to go to great lengths to help Little Bear while at the same time keeping the Indian a secret from his family and friends. When he finally does tell his friend, Patrick, Omri regrets it.

Patrick wants to play with the cupboard but he doesn't care that the figures are occupied by real human beings with real feelings. This gets both he and Omri in trouble.

This book is an interesting look at what happens when something that seems like it would be the coolest thing can turn out to not be so fun once reality hits. It is also interesting to see the empathy that Omri has for these small beings and how he tries to care for them and show Patrick how to care for them too. It also explores the dynamics of their friendship and touches lightly on the familial interactions between son and parents and brother to brother.

While this is a book about boys, the story is not for boys alone. Girls will enjoy this story about a 'magical' experience. Boys will definitely love this and may even try locking up their action figures in every cupboard in the house to see what happens. It's a quick and interesting read for those who are easily distracted.

I am concerned about the descriptions of all the historical characters especially the Native American (as one reviewer has been specific about the 'racist' nature of it.) So I would not recommend this for someone looking for an accurate description of Native Americans, cowboys or WWI medics but perhaps it could be used to start a discussion about stereotypes. Also I would not recommend this to someone looking for a fantasy novel.

Lynn Reid Banks' debut presentation in what would become an excellent YA fantasy series remains as fresh and fascinating today as when it was published in 1980. Set in England the story revolves around some birthday gifts to Omri, the youngest of three boys: a plastic figure of an Indian from his best buddy, Patrick, and a scrounged medicine cabinet from one of his brothers. When his mother donates a special key which she has cherished since girlhood, the stage is set for a remarkable adventure--one in time and space, plus personal growth for all four main characters.

Plastic miniatures of living things become alive when briefly locked inside the cupboard. Not just alive, but real people and animals from other time periods and cultures. How can a mere boy play god with adult lives? Omri-at first viewed as the all-powerful giant in control--has to juggle sibling problems, parental issues, school authorities and the spontaneous decisions of his best friend, in a desperate attempt to keep his precious secret. What will happen if real adults find out what he is hiding?

Both boys quickly realize that they are no longer dealing with mere toys or entertaining pets, but with actual people with needs, personalities and demands--coupled with adult logic.

The author creates increasingly difficult situations in the

ensuing chapters--winding the spring of dramatic tension ever tighter--with the result that the book is all butimpossible to put down. Omri learns a great deal about the Iroquois culture,

but the boys' friendship is strained to the breaking point. Natural enemies like a cowboy and an Indian--from different eras in American history--must learn to peacefully coexist in times of mutual danger and for the boys' peace of mind. Can peace and

trust be coerced or gradually taught? A delightful and thoroughly captivating read for kids of all ages! A new Classic!

This book was amazing! I find many books that I liked but this one's in the top ten. Lynne Reid Banks must have a lot of imagination if she is able to create a full and exciting book with a boy and an action figure.
I remember that when I was growing up I always wanted to have my toys come alive. This story is terriffic and now that I have the sequel I can't wait to read it. I also plan on reading the other books. I got the list of this series and listed it below.

The Indian in the Cupboard

The Return of the Indian (the one I'm reading)

The Secret of the Indian

The Mystery of the Cupboard

The Key to the Indian.

I plan on reading all these books in order and enjoying them from cover to cover.

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I was a little disappointed with the movie especially if it keeps people from taking the time to read the book. It is worth the read whether you are a kid or an adult. It is filled with rich imaginative imagery that was not captured by the movie. Furthermore, while the whole premise of a little Indian coming alive in a cupboard is engough to keep the story moving, this is but one of the many adventures twist which unfolds in this great story. The second book in the series is just as good but then the series tapers off a little but the first two are definately not to miss.

My six year old son reads easily on a 3rd - 5th grade reading level. But we have trouble finding wonderful things for him to read because so many books written for that age group include a level of intensity that's just not appropriate for a six year old. Now, don't get me wrong -- bits that my son thinks are "too scary" are usually just right for the age group for which the book was written. But it is wonderful to find great stories that aren't "too scary" that will still engage the imagination of my precocious reader.

That's why we like Indian in the Cupboard so much. It's an imaginative, well-written story with interesting characters and a plot that's interesting but not "too scary." Best of all, it contains kids who aren't perfect, but still have their hearts in the right places -- and thankfully, the book isn't preachy about its morality.

This book is about a boy named Omri, and his friends Patrick, Little Bear the Indian,and Boone a cowboy. Omri receives Little Bear as a birthday present from Patrick. He was not too excited about this little toy. He was even more excited about an old cupboard his brother gave him. He needed a key for the cupboard, and luckily Omri`s mother collected keys. The one that belonged to Omri`s Great Grandmother fit. It had a red satin ribbon attached to it. He didn`t have anything to put in the cupboard so his mother said to put in the Indian Patrick gave him. He put in the Indian and turned the key. What happens next is a secret that only you can know by reading the book. I found that I disliked Patrick very much during the book. He never thought twice about what he said,or did. For instance he was about to show Little Bear and Boone to other children, but Omri stopped him. Also I could tell Omri was a fast learner because he learned really fast that Little Bear was a real person. As Omri says it they are "real people". This means they are from their own time period, and you can`t tell them what to do. Lynne Reid Banks is great at grabbing peoples` attention by an interesting plot, and a nice book cover. Banks is also aware that people reading her books might not understand the British words so she put definitions at the beginning of the book. One of the definitions is football-the British word for soccer. Banks is not good at using descriptive language. In my opinion it is a third to fourth grade reading level book. The plot of the book was easy to follow because of the easy vocabulary. This book is great to read because it teaches a little about the Ondondaga. If you liked the "Littles" series you are sure to like this book even more. When I saw the movie of The Indian in the Cupboard after reading the book I found the book was much better. This is because it has much more detail, and more scenes. I recommend this book to any readers. If you read this book and liked it ask your librarian for the other books in the series. I hope this critique will help you choose a book to read, and enjoy.

This book is fascinating in many regards. One, it's got magic: a real, true, amazing bit of magic. Two, it explores the friendship between two kids, complete with the sudden I-hate-yous and all. Three, it presents children with some thought-provoking scenarios. Should the children continue to make people until everybody has a wife, etc, or should the children return all the people to plastic after they've witnessed the real emotions and personalities of those people. The book asks deep moral questions in a way that kids can handle.

This would be a great book to read aloud. It's got enough action and a fast-paced storyline that kids would just love to hear you read it.

The Indian in The Cupboard is one of my all time favorite reads. I read it along time ago, and because of an assignment in class, hurriedly read it again just the other day. The excitement and genuine interest in the book has not been changed. The way that Lynn Reid Banks captures your imagination is incredible. Who would not love to have a little friend that you have control over, like a little fantasy world. She takes an idea that I am sure many young kids have, and through her writing, makes it so real that it seems almost attainable. Overall, I would give this book a 10 out of 10 for younger readers. If you are an older reader with an open mind, and willing to give in to your imagination, then I would also strongly promote this book.

This story takes place In Omri's room and the time of the present. This setting is important because the magic cupboard that he got from his family for his 10th birthday. This cupboard is very important because it changes plastic toys to real life inside and outside and helps Omri to care for the little things in life in his room!

This book is mostly about a nine year old boy who just became Ten named Omri and his friend Patrick. Who gives him a toy Indian for his birthday and gets the cupboard . Witch changes his thought about the Indian,witch changes the Indian into a real life Indian and then Omri and Patrick end up on a journey to keep their plastic friends.

In my opinion this book is great for kids that have strong Imaginations in reading.I would recommend this book to read because its not just for kids. Adults can enjoy reading this book.