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The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

Mr Griffith
Mar 2, 2016
2 min read

Omri is an 11 year old boy growing up in early 1980s England. He is the youngest of three boys, an average student and is getting through life the best way he can with his good friend Patrick. Nothing in Omri’s life is very remarkable until he receives two very unique presents for his birthday. One is a plastic toy Native American, the other an old bathroom medicine cabinet. With the addition of an old key, Omri’s plastic Indian changes his life in more ways he could ever imagine. His mundane life is blown away and he is thrown down a path of considerable adventure and excitement.

Lynne Reid Banks’ 1980 children’s fantasy masterpiece, “The Indian in the Cupboard’ must be considered one of the great novels that all children absolutely have to read. It’s funny, thoroughly engaging, suspenseful, imaginative and highly emotive. Banks skilfully explores themes of friendship, family, loyalty, prejudice and cultural difference throughout the novel and shows us all how important respect for others really is.

The story itself is simple yet extremely entertaining. The characters, although not fully developed, are likeable and interesting. Little Bull and Omri’s relationship is particularly enthralling and provides the most engaging moments of the story. Omri is a brilliant main character whom the audience with love, loathe and understand all at the same time.

The novel, although near perfect, could have been improved through increased opportunities to explore the minor characters’ lives more, particularly Little Bull, Boone and Patrick. It is also felt that the complications that arise through the novel could have been more severe and therefore created greater levels of suspense.

However, all being said, ‘The Indian in the Cupboard’ is truly a book you just can’t put down. It is enjoyable from start to finish and leaves the reader wanting more and more. I recommend this book to all children in Years 5 and 6, whether they enjoy adventure fantasy novels or not.