Chike and the River, by Chinua Achebe, is released on Tuesday, August 9, by Anchor Books ($10). Chikes circumstances in the novel are extremely harsh since he cannot even afford a ride across the river. In-depth summary and analysis of every of Chike's School Days. 96 pages. Although he is concerned about the fact that his mother said to stay away from the river, this increases his curiosity even more. The more Chike saw the ferry-boats the more he wanted to make . Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. ), the resources below will generally offer Chike and the River chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols. Last spring he sat in on a course devoted to studying his vast body of work; Things Fall Apart was only the first of his many novels, poems, short stories, and essays. With his passing, I wanted to make a point of reading more of Achebe. He is the author of five novels, two short-story collections, and numerous other books. Its written elegantly but simply, as befits a book for children, and the tale perfectly blends fable with adventure. "Chike was now 11 years-old, and he had never left his village. I have to read more of Achebe's stuff. Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs | ISBN 9780307742070 Chike was told by his uncles servant that sometimes a man died in one room and his neighbor in the next room would be playing his gramophone. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Language and the Struggle to Create Meaning. Kitchener ON N2G 1G3. Mustve been quite an experience for the students, if a little intimidating. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. See guidelines for writing about novels. It was just okay. 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. Browse books: Recent| popular| #| a| b| c| d| e| f| g| h| i| j| k| l| m| n| o| p| q| r| s| t| u| v| w| x| y| z|. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Instant PDF downloads. 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). Loved it. 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. Along the way, Chike learns valuable lessons about life, love, and the complexities of human nature. Chike's breathtaking adventures began. 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. Start earning points for buying books! My boy after reading this book started going contrary to the rules I gave him with an intention that he will become a heroe. - Shelf Awareness. Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. With his increased confidence, he is motivated once again to find a way to acquire one shilling to cross the River Niger. Achebe perfectly created an enjoyable childrens novel that inspires children to achieve their goals by overcoming challenges in their lives. Overtime, Chike has some challenges at school that give him more courage and determination. The tone is very much Achebe, and the illustrations, though also simple, give a little vitality to the book. To some children, a trip across a river does not seem like much, yet, to someone like Chike, this journey means the world. Once he finally makes it across the river, Chike realizes that life on the other side is far different from his expectations, and he must find the courage within him to make it home. Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Chinua Achebe's Chikes School Days. Grand River Hospital. Achebe waved his magic wand and made me feel 8 years old again while reading this charming childrens story. Also includes sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chinua Achebes Chike and the River. If you want to introduce children to Achebe, and you should, start at Things Fall Apart. However, as a young adult, Achebe became fascinated with forms of African spirituality, and his studies heavily influenced his writing. It's moral message is also of that stature. The tone of the book is rather juvenile, even for a children's story, and the ending ties up all loose ends rather too neatly for my likings. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. In the end, Chike does indeed cross the river, only to discover that even though the shining city of Asaba isnt what he expects, it all ends better than he ever imagined. Again, after multiple attempts in trying to increase the money he found, he fails, so he almost gives up on his dream. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying . Search String: Summary | He was, for over 15 years, the Charles P. Stevenson Jr. Through his experiences, Chike gains a deeper understanding of himself, his culture, and the world around him. This highlights the foreignness of the language theyre required to use in school and invites readers to consider how unnatural it is for children to learn the foreign language of their countrys colonizers at such a young age. One day, Chike becomes fascinated with the idea of crossing the river to the city of Asaba, located on the other side. LitCharts Teacher Editions. In addition to teaching children to not give up, the novel gives children a look at life in Nigeria. This moment further indicates that the way Chike is raised isolates him from his community. (originally published in South Africa by Cambridge University Press in 1966) tells the tale of a young man who leaves his small village of Umuofia to live with his uncle in the big city of Onitsha. Sites like SparkNotes with a Chike and the River study guide or cliff notes. We are experiencing technical difficulties. Reviews | The writing is child-like and innocent in the best ways possible. It's one of the short stories that use disobedient boys to teach a lesson. Load 3 more questions. Free shipping for many products! 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. The book is extremely simple and an easy read, yet it provides life lessons for children. 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. This information about Chike and the River was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter.Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. In spite of this fact, Caesar continues to be included on the curriculum due to colonial prioritization of Western culture. The irony or more accurately, the confirmation of Achebes mastery is that he created a lovely classic with universal appeal for Africans and Westerners, for children and their parents, and its one you dont have to learn about in college. Buy, Aug 09, 2011 . At first Chike was full of joy. While this does not feel the caliber of Things Fall Apart, it is good story. With this incredible debut Milan has rocketed himself into the literary stratosphere. Answer. Depending on the study guide provider (SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc. Raising a child, I feel, is the most cumbersome and thankless task. Summary. He also had another motive: to teach through Chikes story by telling it from the perspective of an adult trying to mold how children should navigate the world; unfortunately, the result is occasionally clumsy and transparent. 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. Read More About: Arts; Entertainment; You Might Also Like. Still, he hoped. I loved the narration of this short story as I joined Chike in his series of small adventures. It is important for children to understand life across the world, not just in their hometown. A good book for two reasons: kids will enjoy the (authentic) look at Nigeria, and understand what the tale says about trying to fit in. And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week. -Graham S. Chikes School Days takes place around the same time that Achebe himself was growing upthe beginning stages of the British occupation of Nigeria. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Refine any search. . At the historical moment when Achebe wrote the story, postcolonial literature was becoming an internationally recognized genre. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. 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. But Ng?g? This book is definitely geared towards a younger crowd (9-13yrs) but enjoyable for older folks who are aware that it's on the lighter side of Achebe's writing. Refine any search. In this moment, the students heavy accents betray their inability to discover or create meaning in the English language. Also by Chinua Achebe. 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. Struggling with distance learning? Intermediate teachers would enjoy sharing this small chapter book with their students. Language. All of her books were written by Westerners, which meant there were no characters just like her, living lives just like hers, so he created one for her. (including. His first novel,Things Falls Apart, became a classic of international literature and required reading for students worldwide. He settles into this new life and quickly makes friends at the school. I fear sounding glib or obvious, but, really, one of the great things about taking literature courses in college is access to some of the great writers of the world and by that, I mean in person, teaching you in a small seminar room. Unavailable. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Cliff Notes , Cliffnotes , and Cliff's Notes are trademarks of Wiley Publishing, Inc. SparkNotes and Spark Notes are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. 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. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF MOTIVATION: HARNESSING THE ART By Egeni Chike Camilius *NEW* at the best online prices at eBay! Achebe's vivid storytelling and rich characters make . His first novel, published in 1958, is a slim, stone-cold masterpiece about the colonialism and the brutal collapse of traditional village life as seen through the eyes of its doomed hero, Okonkwo. Why? 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. $15 for 3 months. Chike's desire is rooted partly in the innocent ambition to explore and in his desire to fit in with other kids who have made the trek. 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]. Read 123 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. He faces the harsh realities of city life, including poverty, exploitation, and discrimination. 1,500. Chike and the River is a sixty-page chapter book intended for middle readers with illustrations by Prue Theobalds. 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. Why, S.M.O.G. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, it finally reaches our shores, and its well worth the wait. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. This information about Chike and the River was first featured Part escapade, part fable, it is a simple but engaging story of 11-year old Chike who struggles to adapt to city life when he moves from the village of Umuofia . He did not know. The Best Books to Get Your Finances in Order, Books Based on Your Favorite Taylor Swift Era, Cook a Soul Food Holiday Meal With Rosie Mayes, Aug 09, 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. 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. His mother had told him to stay away from the Niger river. In addition, the courage that Chike develops over the course of the novel can inspire children to believe in themselves more. See all books by Chinua Achebe. Publication date. I enjoyed some of the short stories in this book, but at times it felt very scattered and slow. Whilst in Onitsha, he washed cars and got the money. Almost 20 years later, I can still see him in the room: Quietly intense but with a gentle, encouraging manner, Ng?g? Buy. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe, 2011, Anchor edition, Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from eating his first skewer of suya under the shade of a mango tree, to visiting the village magician who promises to double the money in his pocket. 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. He also enlists the help of his new, mischievous schoolmates, including one called S.M.O.G. All Right Reserved. And though I know the moral tale is a huge part of African lit, at least they usually have some fun with animals that speak and fuck and kill and humans who are evil or beautiful or unbelievably rich. The reading and the way it is written is very straight forward. It is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. Answer. More than 40 years ago, when Chinua Achebe's daughter started preschool in Nigeria, the internationally famous author of Things Fall Apart discovered that all the school texts for African children were written by Westerners. 835 King Street West. You could read this book directly on your devices with pdf, epub and kindle format, check detail and related Chike and the River books below. | ISBN 9780307473868 The reviewer gives their opinion of the book as well as provides titles with similar themes and subjects. Amoss decision to marry Sarah reflects the extent to which colonial influence is capable of altering local culture. Chike embarks on a journey filled with challenges and adventures. Achebe, author of the seminal Things Fall Apart (also set in the village of Umuofia), is clearly on a mission in this tale. "Rodriguez's charming illustrations add texture to a classic children's story." Because, as in all good folktales, Achebe wants us to know that a good heart, paired with curiosity and determination, can yield results beyond our greatest dreams. Many children do not realize the poverty that many people experience across the world. Social Themes. Whats more, the fact that Chike and his schoolmates presumably dont understand the meanings of the English songs further demonstrates the fact that the colonial instruction the students are receiving is not relevant to them, and only serve as tools of assimilation. Just for joining youll get personalized recommendations on your dashboard daily and features only for members. "African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe." Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from . This is a children's book, sweet as a folk-tale from the author of, Oh yeah, I did it, I picked a book without magic, monsters and great villains :D Miracles do happen :) But I'll get back to my monsters, I promise :) No need to worry :). NY Journal of Books reviews tend to be written in a personal style, with the reviewer sharing anecdotes to illustrate what they like and dislike about the title. My husband is Nigerian and based on the stories about school he's told me, this seems pretty accurate! In Umuofia every thief was known, but here [in Onitsha] even people who lived under the same roof were strangers to one another. "Without a single sensational slip, this succinct little reading delight is an even-handed slice of life that depicts poverty and hardship realistically but with a dignified reserve, as a very likable young Nigerian boy learns the tough lessons of life, with honors." Chinua Achebe's novel, Chike and the River, perfectly displays the idea of working to achieve a dream. As he hatches scheme after scheme to earn what he needs, Chike begins to explore his new surroundings while adjusting to the odd rules of this new way of life. Achebe gifts us with a short tale about Chike, a pre-teen, who is fixated on his desire to cross the river on a ferry boat. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Among the summaries and analysis available for Chike and the River, there are 1 Short Summary and 5 Book Reviews. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. But where would he get the money? Free shipping for many products! Common examples of his juvenilia works include Chike and the River - 1966, The Drum - 1977 and The Flute - 1979 (Lyons, 1998). Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. 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. Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs Over the course of a few months, Chike makes many friends in school and discovers his love for soccer. 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. Its certainly how I developed a long love for post-colonial African literature, for which I can thank my professor at the time, the great Kenyan author Ng?g? Since hes Providence guy now, Im claiming him as an adjunct local. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, Chinua Achebes childrens book Chike and the River finally makes its debut here in the United States. Reviews tend to be lengthy and detailed, with a casual yet informative approach. The reference to Chikes school clothes illustrates the subtle influence of colonial culture: these are likely not traditional Igbo clothes, meaning that the schoolchildren are expected to conform to a westernized style of dress in order to attend school. "In Chike and the River, young readers get an intimate look at African life, learn about the Niger River, and connect with Chike as if he is their. But where would he get the money? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. As the story goes, Achebe wrote it when his daughter was entering preschool in Nigeria. He tries many times to obtain the money, however, all of his attempts fail. I am quite surprised that I found this book in the 8th grade section of my school's library. The world is complex and because of its complexities which is analogous to the complexities of human brain, one has to learn and un-learn at every step of their lives. Africanbookworm "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Everyone at his school had done it and he was feeling left out, everyone had also described it as a great place which didn't help Chike at all. In the moment the story is narrated, this world does not yet exist, and therefore cannot yet be conceived of by Chike or even the adults in his family. Books barged into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the window by showing me Pecola from. Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe (Children's Classic) Well, these days, students at Brown University get to have a regular weekly audience with Achebe himself, much the same way I did with Ng?g?. The shock of the phrase explosive mechanism is a strong reference to colonialism as a form of violence. "In the Age of Extinction, two tagalong daughters traveled to the edge of the world with their On the night of December 26, 1811, residents of Richmond, Virginia crowded into the local playhouse, Find books by time period, setting & theme, Read-alike suggestions by book and author. This article about a Nigerian novel is a stub. Although many children cannot relate to the character directly, it is common for kids to want something, but they do not believe that they can achieve their goal. Read An Excerpt. Chike, a young boy from Nigeria, has lived in Umuofia for nearly eleven years, until his mother sends him away to live with his uncle in Onitsha. BuffaloLib's library catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry. Chike, a Nigerian boy. Chike and the River does well in tying in cultural ideas into a story interesting for children. Rather than getting that visceral sense of such a distant place (from where I am right now), it felt a bit trivial, with some foreign vocab thrown in for show. This is where youll see your current point status and your earned rewards. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. Who are the characters in the story? Because English is not Chikes native languagerather, it is imposed on him through colonialismChike is forced to create his own definitions. This speaks to the innovation that always exists at the merging of two cultures: words are re-signified, and through this resignification, new forms of meaning are produced that are original to neither British nor Igbo culture. Be the first to review "Chike and The River" Click here to cancel reply. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. Once he finally makes it across the river, Chike realizes that life on the other side is far different from his expectations, and he must find the courage within him to make it home. Print Book, English, 2010. Chike's School Days: Themes. becomes a particularly good friend and a constant bad influence. Like the narrator, Chike, Chinua Achebe was part of the first generation among his family to be raised Christian rather than within the traditional Igbo religion. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. I really enjoyed the African art that was included in this book. If there is a Chike and the River SparkNotes, Shmoop guide, or Cliff Notes, you can find a link to each study guide below. By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. He lives with his wife in Providence, Rhode Island. Personally, I'm going to pick up a copy to add my library. Previous page. Read more. The Summary: Chike leaves his mother and his village of Umuofia to settle with his uncle in Onitsha where he would school. | 7-9 years Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published. At the heart of Chikes transformation is his curiosity about the Niger River and his deep desire to cross it and experience the seductively beckoning city of Asaba on the other side. Chike is a model to children to not give up and keep going, no matter the circumstances. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. The way the content is organized, A concise biography of Chinua Achebe plus historical and literary context for, In-depth summary and analysis of every of, Explanations, analysis, and visualizations of. We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! Publisher Penguin Group. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Book review: 'Chike and the River' by Chinua Achebe", An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chike_and_the_River&oldid=1149761739, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from July 2015, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 April 2023, at 08:11. [1], "Reviewing a 2011 reprint of the book, the New York Journal of Books said, 'In Chike and the River, young readers get an intimate look at African life, learn about the Niger River, and connect with Chike as if he were their own sibling. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying . Though it has obvious references to Things Fall Apart this isn't really a worthy successor. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Free shipping for many products! -Graham S. In response to what Elizabeth judges as Amoss poor decision, Elizabeth goes to consult the diviner, who functions as the foil of Mr. Brown when it comes to figures of leadership and authoritywhereas Mr. Brown represents encroaching Western influences, the diviner represents the villages devotion to their traditional religion. FreeBookNotes has 10 more books by Chinua Achebe, with a total of 50 study guides. BookBrowse LLC 1997-2023. Since he is still considered the new kid in school he wants to fit in with his friends, leading him to tell some lies about the wealth of his family. 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. 8 - 11 years. It was a great story that wasn't too drawn out, but showed than innately we all know the right actions to take in most situations. Chike and the River By Chinua Achebe Anchor Books Review by Deatra Haime Anderson. Literary Freedom Project557 Grand Concourse PMB 143Bronx NY 10451info@literaryfreedom.org. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. All of Chikes friends speak of the amazing River Niger and taking the ferries across it to the city of Asaba. Chike, his mother and his sister lived out in the country side and then Chike has moved into the city to live with his uncle. The story is set in Nigeria during the mid-20th century and follows the adventures of a young boy named Chike. He was the More about Chinua Achebe, Praise for Chinua AchebeA magical writerone of the greatest of the twentieth century. Margaret AtwoodAfrican literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe. Toni MorrisonChinua Achebe is gloriously gifted with the magic of an ebullient, generous, great talent. Nadine GordimerAchebes influence should go on and on . "Chike and the River" is a novel by Chinua Achebe, a Nigerian author renowned for his literary works that explore the complexities of African culture and colonialism. August 9, 2011. While it can be assumed that Chikes peers grow up eating in neighbors houses and being cared for by various adults in the community, Chike and his sisters have only their parents to rely on. 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