The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)

The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)
by Dorothy Rhoads

The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)
List Price: $5.99
Our Price: $1.95
You Save: $4.04 (67%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions


(Click here)
Buy this book at online book store in your country
Canada | UK | Germany | France

Book Summary Information

Author: Dorothy Rhoads
Illustrator: Jean Charlot
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1993-06-01
ISBN: 0140363130
Number of pages: 96
Publisher: Puffin Books

Book Reviews of The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)

Book Review: Fabulous book on unique culture
Summary: 5 Stars

This is one of the best "cultural studies" type books I have read. Dorothy Rhoads has struck a perfect balance between imparting information and telling a good story.

Plot-wise, the book shares your typical coming of age story. Tigre, the 12 yr old hero, must suddenly take on new responsibilities when his father is injured. We see his journey as he become more mature and responsible. What sets this book apart is the wealth of rich detail regarding the Mayan culture and way of life. We see Tigre and the villagers and the unique routines, festivals and rituals of the Mayan way of life. The importance of the weather and rain in the society may be eye opening to children who are used to running water and sprinklers, with a foreboding drought providing most of the tension in the story.

The characterization in this slim tome is very good. Tigre, his parents, and especially his critical but loving grandmother are all well-crafted. The cultural detail is outstanding, and even better, you get a real sense of how everything related to the community as a whole. The dichotomy in a culture where the Christian church is important enough that all children are named after Saints, but animal sacrifices are still made to the old gods is especially fascinating. It would be a great springboard for discussion on other religious beliefs.

I especially enjoyed a small subplot of Tigre learning more about the world around him through studies with a caring teacher- knowledge that helps him find out the reasons for problems instead of claiming the "will of the gods." I'd have liked more on this subplot. I was also pleased that the author didn't feel the need to stick in some sort of obligatory tragic death to show kids how good they have it now that we have modern medicine. That's not always needed.

The book was written in 1956, so I was a little surprised at the environmental overtones. However, they have the ring of authenticity showing the traditional Mayan culture in tune with nature and the land.

I read this book and immediately read it again. My only complaint is that it is too short. It is a VERY slim book, only about 80 pages. It does have small type, so it's not like many of the "chapter books" aimed at making young children feel like they're reading longer books. This book simply told its story, and ended when it was over.

The book is simple and easy to read, although there are a large number of Mayan and Mexican words (dictionary is provided in the back.) It's appropriate for all ages, although I would guess that around 4th grade would be the target age. As an educator I can immediately think of hands-on activities to go along with the book, especially things involving the all important corn. There is a great deal of discussion of the Mayan gods, so I imagine that Christian families would definitely want to plan on discussion if giving to younger children.

Highly recommended!

Summary of The Corn Grows Ripe (Puffin Newbery Library)

When his father is badly injured in an accident, a young Mayan boy called Tigre wonders who will plant and harvest the corn that they need to survive--and to please the Mayan gods. Twelve-year-old Tigre has never done a man's work before. Now he will have to take his father's place. A Newbery Honor Book.

New Experiences Books

Book Subjects
Most talked about in New Experiences Books
Arthur Meets the President: Book & CD (Arthur Adventures) ImageArthur Meets the President: Book & CD (Arthur Adventures)
by Marc Brown
LB Kids; Published: 2008-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.21
Price in other shops: $10.99
My First Day at School (Pop-Up Book) ImageMy First Day at School (Pop-Up Book)
by Erin Gathrid
Golden Books; Published: 2000-06-15; Board book; Book
Best price: $63.70
Beth's Job (Green Light Readers Level 1) ImageBeth's Job (Green Light Readers Level 1)
by Carole Roberts
Sandpiper; Published: 2009-03-16; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.07
Price in other shops: $3.99
Daniel's Pet/Daniel y su mascota (Green Light Readers Level 1) ImageDaniel's Pet/ Daniel y su mascota (Green Light Readers Level 1)
by Alma Flor Ada
Sandpiper; Published: 2008-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.10
Price in other shops: $3.95
The Spoon in the Bathroom Wall ImageThe Spoon in the Bathroom Wall
by Tony Johnston
Sandpiper; Published: 2006-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.69
Price in other shops: $10.95
The Tapping Tale ImageThe Tapping Tale
by Judy Giglio
Sandpiper; Published: 2003-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.29
Price in other shops: $3.95
Iris and Walter ImageIris and Walter
by Elissa Haden Guest
Harcourt Children's Books; Published: 2000-09-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $1.47
Price in other shops: $15.00
Amber Brown Is Not A Crayon ImageAmber Brown Is Not A Crayon
by Paula Danziger
Puffin; Published: 2006-09-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.74
Price in other shops: $4.99
Dizzy ImageDizzy
by Cathy Cassidy
Puffin; Published: 2005-09-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.93
Price in other shops: $6.99
Two Dogs Swimming ImageTwo Dogs Swimming
by Lynn Reiser
Greenwillow; Published: 2005-05-01; Library Binding; Book
Price in other shops: $16.89
Similar Books and other products
Song of Mu Lan ImageSong of Mu Lan
by Jeanne M. Lee
Front Street Imprint of Boyds Mills Press; Published: 1991-08-28; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $11.91
Price in other shops: $15.95
Pocahontas and the Strangers (Scholastic Biography) ImagePocahontas and the Strangers (Scholastic Biography)
by Clyde Robert Bulla
Scholastic Paperbacks; Published: 1988-06-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.92
Price in other shops: $5.99
Vostaas: White Buffalo's Story of Plains Indian Life ImageVostaas: White Buffalo's Story of Plains Indian Life
by William White Buffalo
Avyx; Published: 1998-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $6.25
Price in other shops: $6.75
A Lion to Guard Us ImageA Lion to Guard Us
by Clyde Robert Bulla
Harper Collins Publishers; HarperCollins; Published: 1989-10-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.47
Price in other shops: $5.99
Life in Ancient China (Peoples of the Ancient World) ImageLife in Ancient China (Peoples of the Ancient World)
by Paul Challen
Crabtree Pub Co; Published: 2004-09; Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.16
Price in other shops: $8.95
Life In The Ancient Indus River Valley (Peoples of the Ancient World) ImageLife In The Ancient Indus River Valley (Peoples of the Ancient World)
by Hazel Richardson
Crabtree Pub Co; Published: 2005-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.87
Price in other shops: $8.95
Buddha Stories ImageBuddha Stories
by Demi
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); Published: 1997-03-15; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $12.94
Price in other shops: $23.99
The Ancient Maya (True Books: Ancient Civilizations) ImageThe Ancient Maya (True Books: Ancient Civilizations)
by Jackie Maloy
Children's Press; Published: 2010-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.22
Price in other shops: $6.95
Rain Player ImageRain Player
by David Wisniewski
Sandpiper; Published: 1995-09-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.35
Price in other shops: $7.95
Secret of the Andes (Puffin Book) ImageSecret of the Andes (Puffin Book)
by Ann Nolan Clark
Puffin; Published: 1976-10-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.39
Price in other shops: $5.99
Book store. Illustrated catalog of books on different categories