Bibliography
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2000. JINGLE DANCER. Ill by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 0688162428
Summary
Jingle Dancer is a modern day story of a Muscogee girl who wants to be a jingle dancer. She watches her Grandma Wolfe jingle dance on the TV and begins to practice the steps. When Jenna learns that her dress would not be ready because it needed four rows of jingles, she travels in four directions to find enough jingles so her dress would sing.
Critical Analysis
This modern day story is a wonderful story that intertwines everyday life with Muscogee tradition. Jenna is a young girl who wants to become a jingle dancer like her grandmother.
There were many cultural markers identified in this story. The use of the four directions, east, south, west, and north were used as Jenna went from place to place to gather her jingle bells. The north direction led her back to her Grandma Wolfe’s home. The author also describes the time of the day as Jenna went from each home: “As Sun fetched morning, Jenna danced east-As sun arrived at midcircle, Jenna skipped south-As Sun caught a glimpse of Moon, Jenna strolled west-As Moon glowed pale, Jenna shuffled north.” The use of the number four is used with the directions, number of family members that provided her with jingle bells, and the number of rows of bells sewn onto her dress. In the authors note, Smith tells that many Native Americans believe that numbers are symbolic.
Other cultural markers found in the book include foods, a Muscogee Creek story, the powwow, and regalia worn at the powwow. Jenna is eating fry bread with honey at the beginning of the story and later Mrs. Scott told Jenna that she would be making fry bread and Indian tacos to sell at the powwow. As Jenna asked for jingles from each of the ladies, a line was repeated each time. “May I borrow enough jingles to make a row? Jenna asked, not wanting to take so many that their dress would lose its voice.” Each of the ladies gave her a row of jingles and asked her to dance form them at the powwow. A brief Muscogee Creek story about a bat who one the game was mentioned in the story, too.
The full-color water illustrations captured both modern and traditional images of these Native Americans. Jenna lives in a “contemporary intertribal community.” Their homes line up in a neighborhood and are furnished with typical American furniture and Native American decorations. Jenna wears jeans, a t-shirt, and tennis shoes, and all of the women in the story have dark brown hair with light colored skin. At the powwow, all of the girls are wearing brightly colored dresses, scarves around their necks, moccasin boots, and holding a feather.
An author’s note and glossary of terms is provided at the back of the book. Smith, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, describes the Muscogee tribe and the importance of jingle dresses.
Reviews
Booklist review: “This contemporary Native American tale highlights the importance of family and community through a young girl's dream of joining the dancers at the next powwow. Jenna is a girl of Muscogee (Creek) and Ojibway (Chippewa/Anishinabe) descent. She has practiced the steps for the jingle dance by following her grandmother's moves on a video. Now she must get enough jingles (traditionally made of tin, aluminum, or gold canning lids rolled into cones) to sew on her dress to make a satisfying "tink, tink" as she dances. The colorful, well-executed watercolor illustrations lend warmth to the story. A note explaining Jenna's heritage and a brief glossary are appended.”
Publishers Weekly review: “Smith, a mixed-blood member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, convincingly juxtaposes cherished Native American tradition and contemporary lifestyle in this smooth debut. Van Wright and Hu's (Jewels) lifelike renderings capture the genuine affection between Jenna and these caring older women. Their easy integration of Native and standard furnishings and clothing gracefully complement Smith's heartening portrait of a harmonious meshing of old and new.”
Connections
Other books written by Cynthia Leitich Smith include:
Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2001. RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME. ISBN 0688173977
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