The Indian in the Cupboard

Banks, Lynne Reid. J.M. Dent & Sons (1980).
*Appropriate for grades 4-6*

Omri receives an old cupboard as a birthday gift from his brother, and his mom provides a special key. At first glance, he decides that there's nothing special about these gifts, and figures he'll use the cupboard as storage for his plastic Indian figurine. Omri stores the toy inside the cupboard and turns the key. He is awakened at night to little scratching noises, and realizes that the Indian is now alive. This novel follows the adventures of Omri, his best friend Patrick, the Indian (Little Bear), and the Cowboy (Boone) as they learn to live together, despite differences in size, time, and culture

• Often well-received, especially with boys.
  
• A great addition to units which ask the question, "What makes a fantasy?". If used as a read-aloud, students might confer with each other to pick out the elements of fantasy used by Lynne Reid Banks.
  
• Students may write their own fantasy using The Indian in the Cupboard as a mentor text:
  
• Decorate cereal boxes as cupboards.
• Ask students to place one small item inside, and then write a story about their adventures.
  
• Little Bear's references to differences between the Iroquois and Algonquin tribes are a good starting point for studying Native American culture. Collect corresponding nonfiction titles to add to your classroom library.
• Students might "check" Little Bear's references to Iroquois and Algonquin life to see how valid they actually are.