R My Name is Rachel – Historical Fiction



Bibliography:

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2011. R MY NAME IS RACHEL. New York: Random House. 978-0-375-83889-7.

Plot Summary:

Rachel loves school, books, Clarence her cat and Miss. Mitzy the owner of the flower shop down the street.  Rachel lives in the city with her dad, brother and sister, her mom died when she was about 2 years old.  It’s 1936, The Depression, Franklin Roosevelt is president and Rachel’s father has lost his job at the bank but he has heard of a bank job upstate in North Lake.  This move will require the family and Clarence to Rachel’s relief, to move to a farm without electricity and many unknowns. 

Critical Analysis:

Patricia Reilly Giff gives a voice to Rachel that is so sweet and genuine; she is someone if you were to meet her in real life you’d just love.  She is twelve years old and Patricia Reilly Giff has given an appropriate voice, emotion and feeling to Rachel that is so true to life.  I’m not sure how many twelve year olds would handle taking care of a house and farm, younger siblings and worrying about how to pay rent but Rachel does and it’s a remarkable story.  The relationship between Rachel who lost her mother at a young age and Miss. Mitzy is one to envy.  She was a support for Rachel; it gave her something else to think about during such a difficult time.

The Depression is a time in history that can be difficult to explain to younger children. Patricia Reilly Giff did an amazing job showing the effects of how the Depression effected people but didn’t feel it necessary to go into all of the extreme explanations of how it happened.  It would be easy for an author to get too much into the why’s and how’s the Depression occurred but of course this is not something children will understand.  In real life much of a child’s understanding of something that is above their head is their parents’ interpretation or comments of what is happening so for Patricia Reilly Giff to give phrases such as, “Can’t you ask Uncle Elliot for help with money?  Just until President Franklin Roosevelt fixes the Depression?”  From a child’s understanding they are naive in believing someone can fix something like the Depression and Rachel has that nativity that is so true for children especially children who are thrust into adult situations similar to Rachel’s. 

Review Excerpts and Awards:

“Rich characters and raw, real emotions make this much more than the usual horse story.” – The Horn Book Magazine

“The horror of war is clearly conveyed without graphic specifics, and the historical framework makes this a strong classroom choice.  It is the intertwined, personal stories of the two girls, though, they will win hearts.” – Booklist

“As usual, Giff’s characters are beautifully nuanced and entirely real, her prose is as streamlined and efficient as a galloping Thoroughbred and her quiet ending breaks your heart.  A stakes winner.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred

“Thoughtfully crafted narratives…alternate between each heroine…As she brings these characters and history alive, Giff again demonstrates her own gift for storytelling.” – Publishers Weekly, Starred

Connections:

·         This book is a perfect opportunity for a discussion and many lessons on the Depression and why it occurred.  There are many layers from a government and business aspect of why the Depression occurred and if explained in the correct manner children can understand the Depression.  A lesson who Franklin Roosevelt was and what he did as our President during the Depression can be included too.  There are many age appropriate Biographies where children can do some research and bring facts back to the class to discuss further.