Orchards

Thompson, H., & McFerrin, G. (2011). Orchards. New York: Delacorte Press.  ISBN: 978-0-385-73978-8

Plot Summary:

Kana is an 8th grader biracial Japanese-Jewish girl, who has a friend that has committed suicide. She has since found that her friend was probably

bipolar and her other friend Lisa gave her a not that may have been the one to put her “over the edge”  Because of this, she is sent off for the summer to

reflect in Japan to her mother’s family farm. She finds herself feeling the stresses of traditional Japanese farm life and a grandmother who is

not so warm and welcoming.

Analysis:

Kana spends her long, hot summer days working in the Mikan Orange orchard, remembering and questioning about her friend Ruth's death.  She can’t

understand why and how she did not see it coming. Over time she begins to enjoy the traditions, family, and work in the orchards. She even feels like her grandmother is coming around when she finds out another tragedy has happened back at home. Her grandmother and aunt show her unconditional love and compassion and she uses that love and new learned Japanese traditions when she goes back home to show compassion and remembrance of her friends.  The novel is written in prose, in which Thompson uses characteristics of poetry of poetic meter rather than the usual narrative, plot &/or character of a novel to tell Kana’s story. The verse format allows the reader to read the story with ease and not be overwhelming with short moments that make up her summer. Students could tackle reading this book in a day or two. The simple drawings on some of the page margins are attractive to the eye and do not take away attention from Kana’s story.  There are some small sketches throughout the book and they help the reader focus on a small detail on something that Kana dealt with in the story, like on pages 24 how she is trying to “make up for her non-Japanese half” and forgets to set out chopsticks, and McFerrin includes a set of chopsticks on page 25.

Review Excerpts:

Review on BOOKLIST 2011, “The story is purposive, and readers may be slowed by the long, detailed passages about local culture.”

Review on KIRKUS 2011, “Thompson composes simple, neat lines of verse that drive the plot perhaps more than they appeal to the senses.”

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature 2011

Connections:

Text-to-Self  -- Thompson’s novel is a great read for anyone who has known they have hurt others - by accident or selfishly internationally.  Allowing students to make connections with text over “hard” subjects is a way of allowing them to understand their actions.

Counselor’s Corner- This book would be a good read for a counselor looking to help a student make a connection with dealing with suicide, whether it’s the student itself or a member of their community.  It touches on the impact of suicide on others. It can also be used to show how events can impact our lives and emotions.