Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2001. Rain is not my Indian name. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 0688173977.
PLOT SUMMARY:
After years of friendship, fourteen-year-old Rain Berghoff decides that she has developed romantic feelings for her best friend, Galen. Tragically, on the same night that Rain discovers that Galen reciprocates her feelings, he is killed in an accident. Months later, Rain has cut herself off her friends and struggles to accept the loss of her friend. Despite her family’s urging, she refuses to take part in the Indian Camp run by her Aunt Georgia. However, by accepting the job of photographing the camp for the local newspaper, she finds herself becoming involved in the camp and joining in the fight to keep it’s funding. Gradually, Rain also comes to terms with Galen’s death and allows herself to rejoin life.
PLOT SUMMARY:
After years of friendship, fourteen-year-old Rain Berghoff decides that she has developed romantic feelings for her best friend, Galen. Tragically, on the same night that Rain discovers that Galen reciprocates her feelings, he is killed in an accident. Months later, Rain has cut herself off her friends and struggles to accept the loss of her friend. Despite her family’s urging, she refuses to take part in the Indian Camp run by her Aunt Georgia. However, by accepting the job of photographing the camp for the local newspaper, she finds herself becoming involved in the camp and joining in the fight to keep it’s funding. Gradually, Rain also comes to terms with Galen’s death and allows herself to rejoin life.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
In this book, Leitich offers a realistic portrayal of a grieving teenage girl who happens to be part American Indian. Although the focus of the story remains the process of recovering from the loss of her best friend and first love, the author also emphasizes how Rain’s heritage influences her life. Her heritage is brought to attention most obviously by her interaction with her aunt’s Indian Camp, but also through Rain’s commentary on her life. She describes the questions she frequently intercepts about her mixed heritage: “How much Indian are you?” She observes the difference it makes when those questions are asked by other Native people “because they show respect for the tribal affiliation, for [her] family.”
The mention of Rain’s American Indian heritage never appears to be forced into the text. The reader is not made to feel like he or she is being taught about Native American culture. Instead, the reader learns about what life is like for this one girl.
REVIEWS:
School Library Journal: “There is a surprising amount of humor in this tender novel. It is one of the best portrayals around of kids whose heritage is mixed but still very important in their lives.”
CONNECTIONS:
Students who enjoyed the multicultural perspective presented in this book, may also enjoy reading these other contemporary novels:
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Indian Shoes by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me by Lurline Wailana McGregor
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