Morning Girl

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In a starred, boxed review, PW praised this ``soulful, affecting portrait'' of a Bahamian family in 1492. Ages 8-up. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

Youthful brother and sister narrators are a great choice to interpret Dorris's novel, written from the point of view of Morning Girl and Star Boy, two Taino siblings living on a Bahamian island in 1492. A string of images of everyday life and the dynamics between family members introduce listeners to what this part of the world was like before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. Eliza and Riley achieve a commendably comfortable level with the text, something that is sure to appeal to many young listeners. Riley's boyish, high-pitched voice and sometimes excitable tone is perfect for the classic "rambunctious little brother" role. In a brief epilogue (narrated by Terry Bregy), Dorris signals the arrival/encroachment of European explorers. The way this text and recording bring alive a lesser-known side of a well-studied bit of world history may well spark discussion in classrooms and family kitchens. Ages 8-up. (Jan.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6A story of a Taino girl and her brother, set in 1492 in the Bahamas. Sibling rivalry, jealously, and loveall are related with elegance and warmth, reflecting a simplicity of lifestyle and universality of experiences. (Oct. 1992)

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6-Young sister and brother team Eliza and Riley Duggan bring sincerity and heart to their portrayal of 12-year-old Morning Girl and her younger brother Star Boy, two children living on a Bahamian Island in 1492 (Hyperion, 1992). Michael Dorris's lyrical language rolls off the tongues of the two young narrators, who bring the hopes, everyday lives, and petty sibling rivalry of the two protagonists-each named for the time of day that they love best-to life. Hints of change come at the end of the story, when Morning Girl encounters strangers on the beach-revealed in the epilogue read by Terry Bregy to be members of Christopher Columbus's crew. This gentle story reveals the rhythms of life on the island before the Europeans came, showing listeners the richness of the islanders' lives.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.