Module 4: Caddie Woodlawn

Book Summary

Caddie Woodlawn, an adventurous pioneer girl, prefers to play with her brothers rather than grow up like a proper young lady.  Caddie's mother would like Caddie to learn to cook and sew like her older sister, but her father allows her to take her time growing up believing that she will become a "lady" when she is ready.  Caddie has many adventures with her brothers and becomes a friend of Indian John.  The Woodlawn family faces the possibility of leaving the pioneer life they have come to love when Mr. Woodlawn is asked to return to his home in England.

APA Reference

Brink, Carol Ryrie (1935).  Caddie Woodlawn.  New York, NY:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

 

Impressions

This is an enjoyable story of pioneer family life, similar to the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I thought the characters in the story were believable.  Caddie is brave and adventurous; she gets herself into trouble a lot, but she means well and she has a good heart.  Her father adores her, and although she is not behaving like a "lady" her mother tolerates her "tomboy" nature.  There are funny mischievous antics among the children, as well as heart-warming moments.  The author does a good job of taking you away to a different time and a different way of life.  Contrary to the professional review (and being of Native American decent myself), I think the Native Americans were portrayed accurately considering the time period in which the story takes place.

Professional Review

Although this Newbery Award winning novel was published in 1935, it's protagonist, brave and lively 11 year old Caddie, and her many exciting, humorous and sometimes dangerous adventures might still have appeal to young readers of both sexes. The book is based on true stories of the author's grandmother, who lived on the Wisconsin frontier in the 1860s. Caddie tries to reject her mother's attempts to turn her into a young lady, preferring to join and sometimes even instigate the deeds and pranks of her brothers. She stands up to a school bully, and gets revenge on a snobbish, visiting cousin. Unfortunately, this otherwise fine novel tries to portray Native Americans in a manner that would seem sympathetic for the times, but by today's standards would still be considered condescending and rather stereotyped.

Jernigan, G. (1997).  [Review of the book Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink].  Children's Literature.  Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2378/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~wNWp38:10.

Library Uses

This would make a nice read aloud, or book club selection.  After reading the book, ask the students to create a Venn Diagram comparing Caddie and her siblings with themselves.  Things to compare may include clothing, recreational activities, foods, school life, etc...

Book cover image from:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205821.Caddie_Woodlawn