The Indian in the Cupboard

The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

• Genre: Fiction; middle-grade fantasy/adventure
• Originally Published: 1980
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 780L; Grades 3-6
• Structure/Length: 16 chapters; approximately 240 pages; approximately 4 hours, 20 minutes on audiobook
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: The novel follows Omri, a young boy who receives a magical cupboard and a plastic Iroquois figure named Little Bear as a birthday gift. To Omri's astonishment, he discovers that the cupboard can bring the small figure to life. As Omri and Little Bear navigate their newfound friendship and the challenges of two different worlds colliding, they also learn important lessons about empathy and understanding. The central conflict revolves around Omri's responsibilities as a caretaker of the living toys he creates and the consequences of meddling with magic.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of magic; themes of responsibility

Lynne Reid Banks, Author

• Bio: Born 1929; British author known for her works spanning various genres, including children's, young adult, and adult fiction; The Indian in the Cupboard is one of her most popular books and has become a beloved classic in children's literature; known for her ability to create imaginative and thought-provoking stories that resonate with readers of all ages; has written novels that explore diverse themes, from fantasy to realistic fiction; celebrated for her contributions to literature
• Other Works: The Farthest-Away Mountain (1976); The Return of the Indian (1986); The Secret of the Indian (1989); The Mystery of the Cupboard (1993); The Key to the Indian (1998); Harry the Poisonous Centipede series; The L-Shaped Room (1960, adult fiction); Children at the Gate (1993, adult fiction)