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Little Cricket
Brown, Jacquelyn M. Little Cricket
Hyperion Books for Children, 2005
ISBN & Price: 0786818522 $15.49
Synopsis:
Following the destruction of their Laotian village by North Vietnamese soldiers, twelve-year-old Kia and her Hmong family flee to a refugee camp in Thailand. Eventually Kia, her brother, and her grandfather travel to St. Paul, Minnesota, to begin a new life.
General Review:
This book contains much to interest both boys and girls. The third-person narration sweeps the story along, and readers will find themselves becoming involved in the lives of the believable characters. They will learn from Grandfather’s wisdom, empathize with Xigi’s confusion, and cheer Kia’s strength of character which arises from the extreme conditions in which the family finds themselves.
Themes: Laos, Refugees, Immigration, Hmong culture
Author Information:http://jackiebrown.info/author.htm
Discussion Questions: Standard 3 Benchmark 3
- Discuss how the Hmong proverb in the front of the book applies to Kia or to Xigi.
- Discuss whether or not Kia’s mother should have been required to give up the birth necklaces to the man driving the family to the refugee camp. Give reasons for your views.
- Discuss how the people of St. Paul did not show acceptance of Kia and her family and what you might have done if you were in their place. What would be some simple signs to show acceptance?
Suggested Activities:
Standard 5 Benchmark 3
1. Using the pa ndau (pronounced pa ndow) embroidered story cloths as guides, have students use pencils and fabric paint to paint on cloth squares an important part of their own lives. If possible, show a variety of embroidery stitches and have them sew around the edges by hand, using their own style of stitching. Paper and markers may be used in place of cloth and paints.
Standard 7 Benchmark 1
2. Use a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast Laos and St. Paul, using scenery, weather, and living conditions as starting points.
Standard 1 Benchmark 5
3. Research the current Hmong culture in Minnesota using a variety of information sources.
Standard 3 Benchmark 4
4. Research the Vietnam War: causes, countries involved and outcome. Present in a variety of ways.
