The New York Times' 1981 review "BOOKS: Best for Children" called it the "best novel of the year".[5][6] Kirkus Reviews observed, "The first book had a fine balance between childish desire to play with the tiny figures and awareness that, though small, they were real people who ought not to be so manipulated."[4] Advocates for book praise the novel on aspects of convincing characters,[12] reader captivation and enchantment,[13] and keeping in touch with young readers,[12] among other things.
Awards
The Indian in the Cupboard has received several literary awards across the years and is becoming regarded as a classic in children's literature.[12][14] A list of the awards received is as follows:
Award | Year | Result |
---|---|---|
Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award | 1983 | Won |
California Young Reader Medal | 1985 | Won |
Virginia Young Readers Program Award | 1987 | Won |
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award | 1988 | Nominated |
Massachusetts Children's Book Award | 1988 | Won |
Arizona Young Readers Award | 1989 | Won |
Criticism
The novel has been criticised for its portrayal and representation of Native Americans. At the 1991 American Library Association national conference, Naomi Caldwell-Wood and Lisa A. Mitten (former presidents of the American Indian Library Association) listed the book and its sequels under "Titles to avoid", calling them "classic examples of highly acclaimed books riddled with horrendous stereotypes of Native Americans. Banks has created her 'Indian' character from the mixed bag of harmful cliches so common among British authors".[15] Similarly, Rhonda Harris Taylor explains that one aspect of controversy surrounding this novel is the "fact that the book's portrayal of Native Americans is seen as acceptable, implying its representations of American Indians as savages are the way American Indians are viewed in the mainstream," and that the role of Omri reinforces ideas of white paternalism.[12] According to Freedom to Read, the book was challenged by a school board in Kamloops, British Columbia, and was temporarily removed from public libraries on the basis of the "potentially offensive treatment of native peoples."[16] The book was reintroduced into libraries, but the title was placed on the list of challenged materials for teacher information.[16] In 1992, Doris Seale, a Santee Dakota, Abenaki and Cree librarian, wrote, "My heart aches for the Native child unfortunate enough to stumble across, and read, these books. How could she, reading this, fail to be damaged? How could a white child fail to believe that he is far superior to the bloodthirsty, subhuman monsters portrayed here?"[17]