BIBLIOGRAPHY
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2000. Jingle Dancer. Ill. by Van Wright, Cornelius & Hu, Ying-Hwa. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0-688-16242-8
PLOT SUMMARY
Jingle Dancer is the story of Jenna, a young girl who longs to take part in the Jingle Dance, just like her grandmother. Much to Jenna's delight, Grandmother Wolfe tells her that she can, in fact, dance at the next powwow. Jenna has watched and danced along with video tapes of Grandmother Wolfe jingle dancing so many times, she knows she is ready to perform. However, Jenna does not have a special jingle dress. What will she do?
Relying on her creativity and determination, Jenna borrows enough jingles from the dresses of her family members to make her own jingle dress, complete with the necessary four rows of jingles. With Grandmother Wolfe's help, the dress is ready in time for the next powwow. Now Jenna is poised to make her dream of jingle dancing come true.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
There is so much to love about this heart warming story. Jenna is a modern Native American child. In her author's note, Leitich Smith says specifically, she is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and also of Ojibway descent. Jenna wants nothing more than to participate in a long standing family tradition that she has always been too young for. This is a feeling all children can relate to. She is depicted as smart and resourceful, when she comes up with the idea of borrowing a row of jingles from each of her four relatives. And the strong bond she shares with her grandmother is apparent in the way she idolizes her and carefully works on the jingle dress with her. Children will easily relate to Jenna and reflect on their own memories of when they wanted something and had to figure out a way to make it happen.
The warm watercolor illustrations perfectly complement the tone of the text. Husband and wife team Van Wright and Hu made each character so expressive. Jenna's happiness and love for her family shine through in the illustrations. Each jingle dress is painted in bright colors that highlight their beauty and their importance in both the story and the Muscogee culture.
Leitich Smith has done a fine job of creating a contemporary Native American story that includes a traditional Native American tradition. Her author's note at the end provides a wealth of information about the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the Ojibway people, jingle dresses, the origins of jingle dancing, and the importance of the number four. Not only was this a story I truly enjoyed, but I learned about the culture, as well. Leitich Smith even includes a glossary with Native American words children from other cultures may not know, including fry bread, Indian taco, powwow, and regalia.
Another highlight of this picture book is its portrayal of strong Native American women. Jenna is a girl who showed great determination. She didn't let the fact that she couldn't order a jingle dress in time for the powwow stop her from following her dream. Grandmother Wolfe doesn't let her age slow her down or keep her from dancing. And Elizabeth, Jenna's cousin, has a successful career as a lawyer. This is an important book for young Native American girls to read, so that they can see themselves reflected in these strong characters. It is also an important book for children of any culture to read, so they can find similarities between themselves and Jenna and learn about a culture they may not be familiar with.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
NEA Native American Book Lists
Reading is Fundamental 2011 Multicultural Book List
2001 NCSS Notable Trade Book
From SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - "Watercolor paintings in bright, warm tones fill each page...Seeing Jenna as both a modern girl in the suburban homes of her intertribal community and as one of many traditionally costumed participants at the powwow will give some readers a new view of a contemporary Native American way of life."
From BOOKLIST - "This contemporary Native American tale highlights the importance of family and community through a young girl's dream of joining the dancers at the next powwow."
From PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - "Their easy integration of Native and standard furnishings and clothing gracefully complement Smith's heartening portrait..."
CONNECTIONS
Visit Cynthia Leitich Smith's website. There is a wealth of information for both teachers and students. http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com
Many Native American people believe the number four is important, as demonstrated by the four rows of jingles Jenna needed for her dress. Ask your students if they can come up with other things that come in fours.
Ask students to share if they have any traditional dances they do with their families. If they would like to demonstrate, invite them up to perform for the class.
Students may be interested in seeing a real jingle dance. Share this video with them.
The powwow is an important event in Jenna's family. Ask students to share what events are important in their families each year? What do they do to prepare for these events?
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