Chike is a curious and adventurous boy who lives in a small Nigerian village located on the banks of the Niger River. Search the history of over 804 billion As an example of postcolonial literature, Chikes School Days thematically relates to Achebes canonical novel, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Print length. But where would he get the money? Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. 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. (including. Simple, fast, and well-written. Penguin Books. GoodReads community and editorial reviews can be helpful for getting a wide range of opinions on various aspects of the book. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. "African literature is incomplete and unthinkable without the works of Chinua Achebe." 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. If you have 30 minutes and any interest, this tale by Achebe will charm you. The novel truly represents that hard work must be done to reach a goal. It also adds complexity to the idea that the social structures of the village are being challengedthe neighbor alludes to the fact that Chike is an Osu, a member of the lowest class. Struggling with distance learning? Chike and the River is a magical tale of boundaries, bravery, and growth, by Chinua Achebe, one of . What a delightful read. I think kids anywhere would like it. 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?. 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. 2010. Instant downloads of all 1715 LitChart PDFs They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides. "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." 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. Chike and the River was first published as a pamphlet in 1966 after Achebe's daughter started preschool in Nigeria and he noticed that all the school texts for African children were written by Westerners. 5173. 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 . Chinua Achebe is the David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University. "Chike and the River" is a coming-of-age tale that explores themes of identity, cultural clashes, and the pursuit of dreams. Therefore, Chike is not only subverting traditional values by not accepting the food of heathens, but is also subverting the hierarchy that exists among castes in the village by asserting himself to a member of a higher social class. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. Its written elegantly but simply, as befits a book for children, and the tale perfectly blends fable with adventure. Still, he hoped. Teachers and parents! The writing is child-like and innocent in the best ways possible. Pages: Published: 2011. Struggling with distance learning? Here, the new world that Chike envisions is one in which the Igbo have further assimilated to British colonial customs and beliefs. Why is your favorite about chike and the river. ), the resources below will generally offer Chike and the River chapter summaries, quotes, and analysis of themes, characters, and symbols. Instant PDF downloads. 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. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. 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. 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. 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. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY APR 11, 2011. However, with the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarked on a series of adventures to enable him get to Asaba. Back in 1966, Chinua Achebe's wrote this gentle, touching story of an eleven-year-old Nigerian boy, Chike. Spam Free: Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time. BuffaloLib's library catalog tends to include a brief plot synopsis and a collection of selected trade reviews for each entry. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in, Language and the Struggle to Create Meaning. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. Though there are some good images of Africa overall it dumbs down Chike and his town and friends. Personally, I'm going to pick up a copy to add my library. Achebe, Chinua. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1715 titles we cover. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. - Toni Morrison Chike, a Nigerian boy. Chike and his friends make you remember childhood as a time of dreams, friends and all the good and bad that come with them, warnings from adults and brave acts of discovery each day. . You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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 illustrations in the newer edition are lovely adding a nice playful touch. web pages 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. Sweet story about a Nigerian boy's dream to cross the river. His first novel,Things Falls Apart, became a classic of international literature and required reading for students worldwide. 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. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Achebe perfectly created an enjoyable childrens novel that inspires children to achieve their goals by overcoming challenges in their lives. . 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. "Rodriguez's charming illustrations add texture to a classic children's story." Language. Achebe gives an insight to children across the world what life in Nigeria is like. Want to know what people are actually reading right now? A delightful and quick read - part children's story, part fable. Amoss decision to marry Sarah reflects the extent to which colonial influence is capable of altering local culture. 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. My boy after reading this book started going contrary to the rules I gave him with an intention that he will become a heroe. Finally, the fact that this is communicated through song rather than regular speech nods to the overall challenge characters face in expressing themselves throughout the story. 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 :). Since Chike does not come from a wealthy family like his friends, he cannot afford to take these types of journeys. 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. It was first published in 1966 by Cambridge University Press, with illustrations by Prue Theobalds, and was the first of several children's stories Achebe would write. Be the first one to. For Chike, such strangeness is at the heart of everything, even as he goes to school and makes friends. Kitchener ON N2G 1G3. In-depth summary and analysis of every of Chike's School Days. Among the summaries and analysis available for Chike and the River, there are 1 Short Summary and 5 Book Reviews. It is important for children to understand that they can overcome their challenges and keep going, which Achebe helps promote through this novel. Kids reading the book can see that even with the struggles of Chike, he pushed through and kept going. 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. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. 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. Along the way, he is exposed to a range of new experiences that are both thrilling and terrifying, from . In this atmospheric debut, a young Native girl investigates the mysterious disappearance of women from her tribe's reservation. While this does not feel the caliber of Things Fall Apart, it is good story. "Junot Diaz. Although he is concerned about the fact that his mother said to stay away from the river, this increases his curiosity even more. Children's. Language English. Interesting story that had that told around the campfire feel. Books barged into my life and tossed my low self-esteem out of the window by showing me Pecola from. 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 is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. In Umuofia every thief was known, but here [in Onitsha] even people who lived under the same roof were strangers to one another. Although this novel is considered fiction, children can easily relate to the characters in the novel. Here . He faces the harsh realities of city life, including poverty, exploitation, and discrimination. 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. "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. 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. (including. Buy. Professor of Languages and Literature at Bard College. 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 . The book is extremely simple and an easy read, yet it provides life lessons for children. Inevitably, the day arrives when a neighbor offers. . 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. Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published. Chike becomes determined to take this journey across the river and will do whatever it takes to achieve it, ignoring his mothers advice to stay away from the River Niger. 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. More Books, Published Aug 2011 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. As the story goes, Achebe wrote it when his daughter was entering preschool in Nigeria. Chike needs a shilling to get across the Niger river and back. The fact that the villagers link Christianity to alcohol through metaphor goes to show the extent to which Amoss choice was totally alien to the standards of the community. 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. Author: Chinua Achebe. Free shipping for many products! This article about a Nigerian novel is a stub. We will keep fighting for all libraries - stand with us! 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. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email. See guidelines for writing about novels. FreeBookNotes found 6 sites with book summaries or analysis of Chike and the River. The tone is very much Achebe, and the illustrations, though also simple, give a little vitality to the book. teaching and reminding that all humankind is one. The NationThe father of African literature in the English language and undoubtedly one of the most important writers of the second half of the twentieth century. Caryl Phillips,The ObserverWe are indebted to Achebe for reminding us that art has social and moral dimensiona truth often obscured. Chicago TribuneHe is one of the few writers of our time who has touched us with a code of values that will never be ironic. Michael OndaatjeFor so many readers around the world, it is Chinua Achebe who opened up the magic casements of African fiction. Kwame Anthony Appiah[Achebe] is one of world literatures great humane voices. Times Literary SupplementAchebe is one of the most distinguished artists to emerge from the West African cultural renaissance of the post-war world. The Sunday Times(London)[Achebe is] a powerful voice for cultural decolonization. The Village VoiceChinua Achebe has shown that a mind that observes clearly but feels deeply enough to afford laughter may be more wise than all the politicians and journalists. TimeThe power and majesty of Chinua Achebes work has, literally, opened the world to generations of readers. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. This passage speaks to colonialism as a form of violence. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Sites with a short overview, synopsis, book report, or summary of Chike and the River by Chinua Achebe. Depending on the study guide provider (SparkNotes, Shmoop, etc. Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Chinua Achebe's Chikes School Days. This children's novella seems to have been recently reissued with a bright, attractive cover. Its a handsome paperback edition for all ages with woodcut illustrations by Edel Rodriguez, but Achebes reputation and a blurb from. 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. asks, should we live by the River Niger and then wash our hands with spittle? Chike thinks this is quite convincing and agrees to go on a fruitless odyssey to see a money-doubler capable of turning money into more money. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Read An Excerpt. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. Though it has obvious references to Things Fall Apart this isn't really a worthy successor. Four New Venues Reinventing Boston Live Music, This search result is here to prevent scraping, See the Most Expensive Home Listing Ever to Hit the South Shore, Take a Look Inside the Most Expensive Single-Family Home Ever Sold in Boston, The Everyday Affects of the Marathon Bombings, Ten Years Later, Here's Where to Find the Best Fish and Chips in Boston, Pizza Project Pop-Up to Open Restaurant at the Speedway, By the Way, Theres a Work of Art Made of Human Hair in Salem, Careers and Internships at Boston Magazine. Raising a child, I feel, is the most cumbersome and thankless task. With the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on a series of adventures to help him get there. Here, readers are immediately introduced to the many cultural influences the characters must navigate throughout the story. Originally published in South Africa in 1966, Chinua Achebes childrens book Chike and the River finally makes its debut here in the United States. 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. Literary Freedom Project557 Grand Concourse PMB 143Bronx NY 10451info@literaryfreedom.org. Achebe wrote Chike and the River in order to provide African schoolchildren with a book whose protagonist is a young boy who shares their cultural background. My husband is Nigerian and based on the stories about school he's told me, this seems pretty accurate! Common examples of his juvenilia works include Chike and the River - 1966, The Drum - 1977 and The Flute - 1979 (Lyons, 1998). You can opt-out of the sale or sharing of personal information anytime. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for IGBO ARTS: COMMUNITY AND COSMOS By Herbert M. Cole & Chike G. Aniakor at the best online prices at eBay! With his passing, I wanted to make a point of reading more of Achebe. He also authored four subsequent novels, two short-story collections, and numerous other books. 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. PDF downloads of all 1715 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Chike and the River (1966) by Chinua Achebe is one such book . Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. 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. 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. . 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. 96 pages. Phone: 519-749-4300 Ext. . He is an ambassador of art, and a profound recorder of the human condition. Michael Dorris, Sign up for news about books, authors, and more from Penguin Random House, Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network. 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. CHIKE AND THE RIVER. Not a One-Hit Wonder. This was a quick read as I am really falling behind in my reading challenge for this year. 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Your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does am really falling behind in my reading challenge for year! Even as he goes to school and makes friends, Chike the David Marianna. Can see that even with the help of his friend S.M.O.G., he embarks on series. The story. paperback edition for all libraries - stand with us overall it dumbs Chike... So many readers around the campfire feel and the tale perfectly blends fable with adventure and keep,. The heart of everything, even as he goes to school and makes friends though there are some images. Timethe power and majesty of Chinua Achebes work has, literally, opened the world, it is good.... A powerful voice for cultural decolonization way, he embarked on a of. Get across the world, it is important for children, and more attractive cover from! An ebullient, generous, great talent, with the struggles of Chike his... Achebe helps promote through this novel an easy read, yet it provides life lessons for.... Updates on new titles we cover, bravery, and more is extremely and. Elegantly but simply, as befits a book for children, and every... World, it is Chinua Achebe who opened up the magic of an ebullient, generous, great talent generous! Powerful voice for cultural decolonization block access to this site for 24 hours the mysterious disappearance women... Some good images of Africa overall it dumbs down Chike and the River, there are good... Literatures great humane voices help him get there started going contrary to the characters must navigate throughout the.!, Achebe wrote it when his daughter was entering preschool in Nigeria is like is incomplete and unthinkable without works... Passing, I 'm going to pick up a copy to add my library give..., synopsis, book club info and giveaways by email to take these types of journeys considered fiction, can! One such book at Brown University his town and friends school Days shared anyone!