Book Review: Fry Bread

 


1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Maillard, K. N., & Martinez-Neal, J. (2019). Fry Bread: A native american family story. Roaring Brook Press.

ISBN: 978-1626727465

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

Told in lively and powerful verse by debut author Kevin Noble Maillard, Fry Bread is an evocative depiction of a modern Native American family, vibrantly illustrated by Pura Belpre Award winner and Caldecott Honoree Juana Martinez-Neal.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

I loved this book! It was heartwarming and had a beautiful message about strong family bonds. I felt like anyone could relate to this story because “Fry bread is a nation.” I love how this story began by explaining how to make fry bread and then continued with what fry bread represented. I also loved the illustration! Looking through each picture reminded me of my family and how strong we are together. Seeing the children making the fry bread at the beginning of the book also reminded me of my own children when we wake up on Saturday mornings and make pancakes “like a family.” Each picture is perfectly illustrated and adds to the message of this book. Seeing the faces of the family members and neighbors reiterates the message of this book! This is definitely a must-read and a book I plan to add to my personal collection! I will also say, that it took me a little bit to see the cultural representation in this book, but after reading the book twice and paying close attention to the illustrations, I do think the Native American culture was accurately represented.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

-       A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of 2019

-       A National Public Radio (NPR) Best Book of 2019

-       An NCTE Notable Poetry Book

-       A 2020 ALA Notable Children's Book

-       A 2020 ILA Notable Book for a Global Society

-       2020 Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year List

-       Nominee, Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice Award 2022-2022

-       Nominee, Illinois Monarch Award 2022

 

Starred review in Kirkus: “With buoyant, heartfelt illustrations that show the diversity in Native America, the book tells the story of a post-colonial food, a shared tradition across the North American continent . . . Through this topic that includes the diversity of so many Native peoples in a single story, Maillard (Mekusukey Seminole) promotes unity and familiarity among nations. Fry bread is much more than food, as this book amply demonstrates.”

Starred review in Booklist: “Fry Bread celebrates the thing itself and much, much more . . . Maillard and Martinez-Neal bring depth, detail, and whimsy to this Native American food story, with text and illustrations depicting the diversity of indigenous peoples, the role of continuity between generations, and the adaptation over time of people, place, and tradition.”

Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly: “A powerful meditation”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “This warm and charming book shows and affirms Native lives. The informational text and expressive drawings give it broad appeal.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* Encourage students to try making fry bread from scratch. They should log their steps and then write a How To narrative explaining how to make the fry bread.

* Engage students in a class discussion about the cultural significance in the book. How does this book compare to other books that have read?

* Engage students in a research project about the history of fry bread. They should research where it came from, how to make it, etc. Once the research is complete, they should share the information with the class.

*If you liked this book, you might also enjoy these books.  

Lindstrom, C. (2020). The are water protectors. MacMillan publishing. ISBN: 978-1250203557

Sorell, T., & Goodnight, M. (2022a). Powwow day. Charlesbridge. ISBN: 978-1580899482


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