Morning Girl

by Michael Dorris

Book Overview

Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award, this moving and poetic fictional story follows two Ta no siblings and their life in the Bahamas during the fateful year of 1492.
Morning Girl and Star Boy couldn't be more different. Morning Girl relishes the day and all it has to offer, while her younger brother Star Boy loves the night. As they navigate change on their island, from familial struggles to the arrival of a hurricane, they realize everything...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 078681358X
• ISBN13: 9780786813582
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 0.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.2" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Beautifully Written Book

When I read Morning Girl by Michael Dorris, I felt I was transported to another place and time. The book tells the story a young girl and her brother who live on a tropical island with their family. These two children grow up a lot over the course of the story, even though the book covers only a fairly short time. This book has a number of unique features. The chapters alternate between events told by Morning Girl and her brother Star Boy. Morning Girl loves the daytime and Star Boy enjoys the night. So we see events described from two different points of view in a very clever way. Another thing I really enjoyed about the book was its use of very descriptive language. For example, when Morning Girl is interested in seeing what she looks like, she asks her father, "Why should my own face be a secret from me?" Her father tells her to look carefully into his eyes. She says that she 'leaned forward and stared into the dark brown circles, and it was like diving into the deepest pools.' There, and throughout the short book, Michael Dorris uses beautiful similes and metaphors to tell of Morning Girl's and Star Boy's adventures. When events such as a hurricane occur on the island, we're given descriptions of the effects of the storm on the island and its people; we're never told directly that there was a storm. By describing these events so vividly, I found their images to be strong and long-lasting. While reading the book, I was never sure exactly where or when it took place - both these questions are answered in the very surprising ending. Review by Mr. Taylor.

Discuss This Topic With Your Students

I am saddened to hear this beautiful book called boring in some of these reviews. Obviously the true message Michael Dorris gives is missed. The author paints a very vivid picture of how close this family is, how they belong to a real community of loving people, and how they are much like the contemporary family today. Then comes Christopher Columbus to snatch the Tainos from the Island and whisk them to Spain to become "real people". What a great discussion this book leads. This is one book that may not be picked up willingly by young hands, but needs to be suggested. Then, watch the discussion begin!

A wonderful book

I thought that this was a very powerful and well written book. Contrary to the two reviewers who found the plot boring, I found it to be quite captivating. In addition, the alternating chapters provide added insight into the life of one family. The author chose a unique way to introduce the Europeans into this book, one that leaves the reader with a great deal to ponder. This is a fairly complex book, and one that would probably be best suited for older readers and even adults.

Powerful!

It is incredibly powerful and emotional. Morning Girl and herbrother Star Boy are full-dimensional characters - Taino people in1492. The book shows several aspects of their lives before the Europeans come along. Children should read this book to understand other cultures.

Pure Poetry!

Instead of reading this book for plot, try reading it as a poem, in book form. The book paints emotions and images and experiences that are wonderful to feel. These things are so much more important than the plot, in which the Spanish don't show up until the last five pages. This is a book about naming and being and growing up. It is excellent for adults (I agree that this is not exactly a children's book, although some children might understand it) who are dreamers, who dream of becoming a rock or a breath of wind.