Among the summaries and analysis available for Chike and the River, there Book review: Chike and the River, By Chinua Achebe. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Chike and the River. Chike and the River is a magical tale of boundaries, bravery, and growth, by Chinua Achebe, one of the world's most beloved and admired storytellers. First of all, the anxiety about not having any male children is a marked characteristic of Igbo culture (although the privileging of sons is by no means exclusive to the Igbo people). This story of a boy who does what he isn't meant to but it all ends for the best doesn't do it for me. In classic Achebe style, proverbs and folktales are peppered throughout the simple but well told story of a boy trying to make his way across the river and ultimately learning sometimes the grass isn't quite as green on the other side as one thought. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, Chinua Achebe's children's book Chike and the River finally makes its debut here in the United States. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. A class blog on conversations about international children's literature maintained by Nithya Sivashankar's students, Book review: Chike and the River, By Chinua Achebe. Sites like SparkNotes with a Chike and the River study guide or cliff notes. Seed dispersal itself is an easy analogy for colonialism: the schoolteachers job is essentially to planting the figurative seed for Igbo children to be dependent on and tied to English culture. It does meander a bit like a young child's mind/life tends to (or like a river which makes part of the title) so there isn't a driving plot per se, but still overall a sweet story. Additionally, even though it is clearly exaggeration, his sisters inference that the (presumably English) schoolteacher flogged students to death is one of the more obvious allusions to colonialism as a form of violence in village life. Chike and the River (1966) by Chinua Achebe is one such book . Many children do not realize the work that must be put in to reach a goal, which Achebe indicates throughout her novel. Supposedly, he was dismayed that the books in his daughters school were all written by Europeans so wrote Chike and the River to give her characters she could relate to. Get help and learn more about the design. BuffaloLib's library catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry. was one of my all-time favorite teachers and became one of my all-time favorite authors anyone should get immersed in epic novels, from the angry, political classic Petals of Blood and the hilarious satire The Wizard of the Crow. Struggling with distance learning? In Umuofia every thief was known, but here [in Onitsha] even people who lived under the same roof were strangers to one another. See guidelines for writing about novels. If you're a human and see this, please ignore it. Great and endearing story. I really liked Chike's character and how he came to the right solutions on his own. In as much as the target audience of the above listed works comprise of scholars and adults, Chinua Achebe is also among the pioneer authors' of children literature. Still, he hoped.Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesnt have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. Buy. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. I read this book, and had it autographed, as a child. Basically a long-ish children's book, 'Chike and the River' unfolds with all the simplicity and wide-eyed wonder of a parable or a fable, gently moralizing along the way. Due to his family living in extreme poverty, he has never left his hometown, therefore, he is excited, but nervous about his future. The brilliance of Mr. Achebes prose is his ability to make readers feel like an omniscient sprite on Chikes shoulder: along for the ride and privy to all that he senses and sees.'"[2]. Chike and the River By Chinua Achebe Anchor Books Review by Deatra Haime Anderson. Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesn't have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. Raising a child, I feel, is the most cumbersome and thankless task. I enjoyed some of the short stories in this book, but at times it felt very scattered and slow. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chinua Achebes Chike and the River. Why? Chike, an 11-year-old boy growing up in Umuofia (the same village as in Things Fall Apart), moves to the big city of Onitsha and must adapt to all sorts of modern, urban experiences but pines to cross the Niger River to explore the seemingly unattainable city of Asaba. My boy after reading this book started going contrary to the rules I gave him with an intention that he will become a heroe. Chinua Achebes novel, Chike and the River, perfectly displays the idea of working to achieve a dream. Achebe presents the idea that nothing comes easy in a clear manner, while still writing an enjoyable, yet simple book for children to read. Further suggestions might be found on the article's talk page. With his increased confidence, he is motivated once again to find a way to acquire one shilling to cross the River Niger. It's a simple story, told in the style of boys' escapades and heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods. Whilst on the other side, he lost track of time and missed the last boat back. And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week. Achebe waved his magic wand and made me feel 8 years old again while reading this charming childrens story. What an amazing story. (including. Publication date. Grand River Hospital. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. Over the course of the novel, Chike has his ups and downs trying to reach his final goal of crossing the River Niger, while gaining courage and confidence over the course of his journey. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. However, with the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarked on a series of adventures to enable him get to Asaba. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added. 835 King Street West. Reading age. The teachers quote about seed dispersal is one of the most salient moments of the story. It's moral message is also of that stature. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. Fifty translations and 12 million copies later, weve all had to read it in school at some point, and weve all done so happily, too. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe, 2011, Anchor edition, Chike is also the protagonist of Chike and the River, a childrens book by Achebe that he wrote to address his concerns about the understanding his children would develop about race, as they studied in mostly white schools in Lagos. Many reviews are behind a subscriber paywall. Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes! It sheds light on the challenges faced by young people growing up in a changing world and provides a nuanced portrayal of Nigerian society during a time of transition. It is important for children to understand that they can overcome their challenges and keep going, which Achebe helps promote through this novel. Neither text, nor links to other websites, is reviewed or endorsed by The Ohio State University. The 2011 illustrated edition, from Anchor Books, is quite lovely, and worth tracking down. Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. 2010. | 7-9 years Intermediate teachers would enjoy sharing this small chapter book with their students. It was just okay. GoodReads community and editorial reviews can be helpful for getting a wide range of opinions on various aspects of the book. The writing is child-like and innocent in the best ways possible. But Ng?g? He was, for over 15 years, the Charles P. Stevenson Jr. By using words and discussing cultural practices in Nigeria, Achebe helps children begin understanding the idea of different cultures at an early age rather than later. The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make the trip to Asaba. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from . His mother had told him to stay away from the Niger river. Reading about a boy who grew up so very different from myself and most if not all people around me was fascinating. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Though it has obvious references to Things Fall Apart this isn't really a worthy successor. 5173. If you have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact u@osu.edu. He starts to believe that his dream is out of reach and will never happen. Achebe joined the faculty at Brown as professor of Africana Studies in 2009 after spending most of his life teaching at the University of Nigeria and the previous 15 years at Bard College. What a delightful read. Chike 's birth gives his family cause to celebrateas the last child in his family, he is the first boy after a string of five girls. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." He dreams of seeing the world beyond his village and experiencing the excitement and opportunities that the city has to offer. Chinua Achebe - Chike and the River, Epub Ebook. FreeBookNotes found 6 sites with book summaries or analysis of Chike and the River. Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesn't have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. To right this imbalance, Achebe created this short novel, Chike and the River, first published as a pamphlet in 1966, the story of a Nigerian boy who overcomes fear and . A delightful and quick read - part children's story, part fable. Writers and intellectuals alike were grappling with themes such as colonialism and resistance in their work, and this cultural environment likely contributed to Achebes choice of subject matter. I am quite surprised that I found this book in the 8th grade section of my school's library. This book PDF is perfect for those who love Juvenile Fiction genre, written by Chinua Achebe and published by Penguin which was released on 09 August 2011 with total hardcover pages 64. We are experiencing technical difficulties. The illustrations in the newer edition are lovely adding a nice playful touch. In 2007, Achebe was awarded the Man Booker International Prize. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. Search the history of over 804 billion Chike, a young boy from Nigeria, has lived in Umuofia for nearly eleven years, until . Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email. Start earning points for buying books! "Junot Diaz. Although this novel is considered fiction, children can easily relate to the characters in the novel. I loved the narration of this short story as I joined Chike in his series of small adventures. This passage suggests that Chike and his sisters are isolated from their community due to their parents Christian beliefs. Would probably not read again, though. Interestingly, Elizabeth chooses to reconvert to her traditional faith, even though the diviners ritual doesnt work. on August 18, 2020, There are no reviews yet. Free shipping for many products! Just $45 for 12 months or Chike begins adapting to the new environment in Onitsha. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, it finally reaches our shores, and its well worth the wait. Chike and the River is a magical tale of boundaries, bravery, and growth, by Chinua Achebe, one of the worlds most beloved and admired storytellers. Additionally, by giving Chike three names, Sarah and Amos demonstrate their desire both to preserve Igbo cultureChike and Obiajulu are Igbo namesand to assimilate into English culture with the generic biblical name John as the first of Chikes three names. It can be inferred, then, that if members continue converting to Christianity, relatively isolated nuclear families the village will soon become the norm in the village. A few years after he published his great novel Things Fall Apart, the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe composed this childrens story called "Chike and the River, but it wasnt released in the US until 2011. Barnes and Noble reviews tend to be detailed and literary, with a brief plot synopsis combined with an analysis of the themes, historical and cultural context, and literary devices used. Literary Freedom Project557 Grand Concourse PMB 143Bronx NY 10451info@literaryfreedom.org. In this atmospheric debut, a young Native girl investigates the mysterious disappearance of women from her tribe's reservation. But where would he get the money? The Book "Chike and the River" is a novel about a poor boy who grows up in Nigeria and wants to cross the river Niger. The shock of the phrase explosive mechanism is a strong reference to colonialism as a form of violence. Depending on the study guide provider (SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc. Most notably, Achebe highlights the absurdity of young Igbo children learning about Julius Caesar, who is irrelevant to young children growing up in 20th-century Nigeria. are 1 Short Summary and 5 Book Reviews. becomes a particularly good friend and a constant bad influence. This is where youll see your current point status and your earned rewards. Eleven-year-old Chike longs to cross the Niger River to the city of Asaba, but he doesn't have the sixpence he needs to pay for the ferry ride. He requested money from his uncle, who refused. Summary: Chike was keen to visit the River Niger. The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make . ' escapades and heroic entanglements with comic-book hoods opinions on various aspects of the short stories in this atmospheric,. More in your inbox every week best reviews, `` beyond the book the newer edition are lovely adding nice! 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