CULTURE 1: INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE

THE PULL OF THE OCEAN

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Mourlevat, Jean-Claude. 2006. The Pull of the Ocean. New York, NY: Laurel-Leaf Books. ISBN 9780385736664

B. PLOT SUMMARY
Born into a family with three sets of older twin brothers, Yann was born last, alone, and a dwarf. One stormy night, in sheer desperation, Yann awakes his brothers and asserts how they must leave the house immediately in order to spare their lives from their violent father. A midnight tale of brotherhood develops as the ocean pulls them westward on this mesmerizing journey.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
In Mourlevat’s Batchelder Award winning book, we are introduced to a ten year old protagonist named Yann Doutreleau. Yann has three sets of older twin brothers. When Yann was born, “Yann came last and alone. Like the period at the end of a sentence.” Yann is a dwarf without the features of a dwarf. He has an unusually harmonious body and face that seems to mesmerize others. He is intelligent but does not speak unless necessary. As the brothers journey, Yann describes his connection with the light. The light directs his path yet the brothers are unaware of what he means by the light. The brothers endure hard conditions as they move westward at the command of their younger brother. Unmistakably you are made aware of their commitment to each other. Max accounts a time when his brothers protected him from bullies. The older boys note how they take care of Yann by carrying him in a satchel, even offering their jacket as a blanket to keep him warm. This is a remarkable story of sibling solidarity.
Cultural Markers:
This story was originally written in French. As names unfold within the story most are definably of French origin: Yann Doutreleau, Fabien, Remy, Victor, Pierre, Faivre, and Michele Moulin to name a few. The names of the villages discussed on their journey are distinguishable as well: Angouleme, Perigueux, and Bordeaux. As the story unfolds words are used that make a distinction that the story was written with an international scope such as: “a hundred yards away, tea in the parlor, and He went down the flue.”

The tale also flows beautifully with each section described by different characters within the narrative. Each character accounts what they believe to be true of the journey. The story ends remarkably with Yann sitting on a boat headed westward. The skipper notices Yann covered with a brown blanket and remarks that no passengers are allowed on the ship. Yann smiles the most beautiful smile and the skipper, mesmerized, chooses to enjoy his magic and allows him to stay on board. This book was easy to read and left me thinking about family, faith, and providence. Mourlevat has accomplished writing a book that will captivate your mind, heart, and imagination.

D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
The Batchelder Award
School Library Journal: A well-crafted mystery awaits anyone reading this fabled jigsaw puzzle.

Booklist: The ending leaves readers a bit at sea, but the story is intriguing, and the relationship among the brothers is heartwarming.
Horn Book: A powerful portrait of poverty and sibling solidarity.

E. CONNECTIONS
*Compare and contrast this book to Charles Perrault’s “Tom Thumb.”
*Discuss Sibiling Solidarity and what role it played in this story.
*List the Cultural Markers noted in the story. How do they compare to your own?

Other novels by Jean-Claude Mourlevat:

Hannah. ISBN 9782266123136
Winters End. ISBN 9780763644505

KOALA LOU


A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Fox, Mem. 1989. Koala Lou. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. Orlando, Fl: Harcourt Brace. ISBN 9780152005023

B. PLOT SUMMARY
A hundred times a day Koala Lou’s mother would say, “I DO love you!” As the family begins to grow, mother koala, busy with all her children, forgets to remind Koala Lou how much she loves her. Longing for affirmation, Koala Lou decides to join the Bush Olympics to gain the admiration of her mother. Disappointingly, Koala Lou comes in second. With an ailing heart Koala Lou is embraced and hears what she has been so longing to hear, “I DO love you! I always have, and I always will.”

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Mem Fox has written a touching story that perfectly denotes the bond and love between a mother and child. Many children wonder about their parent’s devotion after new siblings are born. This book puts to ease their valid concerns. After several siblings have been born, Koala Lou stares at the stars and wonders if her mother will ever love her again. Determined to gain her mothers affections back, she diligently trains for the Bush Olympics. She pants, puffs, and aches through rigorous training all to gain the affection she so eagerly desires. Children will identify with Koala Lou and rejoice with her as her mother reaffirms her enduring affection.
Cultural Markers:
Mem Fox verbally notes the setting of Australia through the animals such as koala, emu, kookaburra, platypus, and more. She also describes a gum tree that Koala Lou climbs on and uses the word meter to denote distance. This universal story flows so smoothly that the setting is not as distinct as the message it will bring forth. Mem Fox has written a memorable book to read with your child.
Illustrations:
Pamela Lofts illustrated Koala Lou through the use of colored pencils. She accomplished illustrating emotions of love through details within the faces and eyes of each character. Lofts was able to capture the looks of joy, fear, worry, and determination on each page. Lofts skillful drawings pull the text and illustrations together for a perfect blend of energy. Her clever images represent the Australian country magnificently.

D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
Horn Book: A good choice for story hour, bedtime, or reading aloud.
Kirkus Review: …hoping for attention—Koala Lou trains mightily for the Bush Olympics, only to come in second. Surprisingly, this disappointment makes her wish come true.
Publishers Weekly: Koala Lou celebrates the eternal love of a mother for her child.

E. CONNECTIONS
*Compare and contrast this book to other books written about a mothers love.
*Research the Bush of Australia highlighting a different animal per child.
*Other related books about a mothers enduring love:

Munsch, Robert. Love You Forever. ISBN 9780920668368
Penn, Audrey. A Pocket Full of Kisses. ISBN 9780439686167
Rusackas, Francesca. I Love You All Day Long. ISBN 9780060502782

BREADWINNER


A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ellis, Deborah. 2000. Breadwinner. Berkeley, CA: Publishers Group West. ISBN 9780888994165

B. PLOT SUMMARY
The Taliban has recently taken over Afghanistan and eleven year old Parvana now finds her world turned upside down. To make matters worse her father is hauled away by the Taliban and forcefully taken to prison. Parvana’s family finds themselves stuck in a one bedroom apartment and must come up with a plan to survive. They devise a scheme to turn Parvana into a boy so that she can buy and sell to keep the family alive. Parvana must find inward strength to walk the streets confidently and do what must be done to become the Breadwinner.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Deborah Ellis has written a story based on true-life stories of women in Afghan refugee camps. Her heroine, eleven year old Parvana, will inspire others to find inward courage. Parvana desires a life that is uncomplicated but has no other option but to move forward. She faces the harsh realities of women suppression. As I read the story I was immerged in her life. I felt worried as she roamed the streets, felt sorrow as she and her family lost their father, rejoiced when he came back, and wondered if they would ever safely find the rest of her family. Ellis manages to connect her life to that of our own. Similar universal themes run across the story revealing just how similar we all are, even across cultures.
Cultural Markers:
Ellis is noted in reviews for not delving deeper into the religious aspects of this culture but I believe that if she had, it would have taken away from the main message of the story: the message of hope, inward strength, and courage. Instead, Ellis focuses on the life of Parvana depicting her culture and its hardships. Life is not easy for women in this country due to the Taliban. They are not allowed to go to school, they may not walk the streets without male companionship, if they go out the may only be seen in a burqa, and they may not talk to another man.

Ellis continually introduces the reader to this culture by depicting the harsh living conditions. The bombings have left families literally living in deplorable conditions with very little belongings. She also describes the need to trust no one. The life of Parvana as a boy, although scary at first, becomes her freedom. She is able to roam the streets and gain her independence. Freedom unfortunately comes with its grim realities of life digging up bones for money and seeing the harsh realities of cruelty by the Taliban.

Throughout the book Ellis focuses back on the strength of families. Parvana and Nooria, her sister, have a sibling rivalry that others can identify with. Yet, as frustrating as each can be to the other, they still watch out and care for each other. Ellis is able to captivate the reader’s attention through common themes of family, survival, and hope. She leaves the reader with a better understanding of the Afghan women’s struggles and their hopes for their future.

D. REVIEW EXCEPTS
Booklist: The Breadwinner is a potent portrait of life in contemporary Afghanistan, showing that powerful heroines can survive even in the most oppressive and sexist social conditions.
School Library Journal: The Breadwinner features a brave heroine in troubled times and offers a sense of hope.
Publishers Weekly: …this strong heroine will make this novel of interest to many conscientious teens.
Book Report: This story is great for history students, helping them better understand Afghanistan's turbulent history and the current plight of Afghan women.

E. CONNECTIONS
*Study the country of Afghanistan.
* Discuss the cultural markers that distinguish this country from ours.
* Write a letter to Parvana.

Other books by Deborah Ellis:
Parvana’s Journey. ISBN 9780888995193
Mud City. ISBN 9780888995421