Bibliography
Giff, Patricia Reilly.
R My Name Is Rachel. New York: Random House, Inc., 2012. ISBN-13: 9780440421764
Plot Summary
Rachel’s widowed father finds work that moves their family from
the big city to a small, remote town during the Great Depression. When his initial job falls through, she and
her siblings must learn to adapt and survive on their own when the only work he
can find requires him to be gone for many weeks at a time.
Critical Analysis
The American Great Depression of the 1930s stole many a
child’s youth. Innocence was replaced
with harsh reality, and merriment was cherished in small moments when they came
along. This experience is played out in
Giff’s story of Rachel, a bright, creative girl on whom much responsibility is
placed. She is a kindhearted twelve year
old girl who is not pleased when her father must take a job that moves her
family away from her friends, her city, and especially her friend and
mother-figure, Miss Mitzi, the owner of the local flower shop. Readers will identify with Rachel’s
frustrations with her siblings and the disappointment that comes with having
few options. But she takes Miss Mitzi’s
advice that she must “look forward” to get through these difficult times. Perseverance is a strong theme in this
story. When their father has no option
other than to take a job that sends him away for long stretches of time, Rachel
and her brother and sister must learn to feed and take care of themselves. They do this by planting a garden for vegetables,
raising chickens for eggs, and catching fish in the stream behind their fairly
dilapidated house. Rachel, an avid
reader, is especially distressed to learn that the town has had to shut down
both its library and school due to lack of funds, but a new friendship with the
former school teacher proves helpful. When
the rent comes due and she learns that her sister has lost the money their
father left for it, there is no one for Rachel to rely on but herself. And she commendably rises to the
challenge. Rachel is a resourceful
problem solver. For example, when she
can’t afford to buy seeds for their garden, she assists the local grocer in
keeping the store clean and organized in exchange for the seeds.
Interwoven throughout the setting of the story, Giff has
placed many historically accurate examples of life during the Great Depression. A neighbor’s home has been marked by hobos to
indicate that the family there is willing to share food. Her brother is a fan of one of the fads of the
time: flagpole-sitting. Admiral Byrd’s flight
over the South Pole is discussed, and hobo camps are referred to as
“Hoovervilles.” Readers will be drawn to
Rachel’s realistic and likeable character.
She finds beauty in nature and draws strength from her letters both to
and from Miss Mitzi. By narrating the
story completely from Rachel’s point of view, Giff adds a personal quality to
the story that will engage readers and help them identify with the personal
hardships endured during one of America’s darkest times.
Awards and Review
Excerpts
- Children’s Literature: “This beautifully written novel vividly depicts the hardships endured by families during the Great Depression.”
- Publishers Weekly: “Rachel's searing, present-tense narrative exposes her fears, determination, and hopefulness in the face of wrenching challenges.”
- School Library Journal: “Giff's depiction of the children's living conditions, daily activities, and fears and triumphs create a realistic, discussable, thoroughly enjoyable read.”
Connections
- This would be an excellent recommendation for any student new to a school or city.
- Have students write about a time when they were proud of themselves for encountering a problem and finding a solution on their own.
- Have students write about what they think they would do if they were left on their own for an extended period of time. What would be the hardest part of such a scenario? Who might help them?
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