Mirandy and Brother Wind

McKissack, P.  (1988).  Mirandy and brother wind.  New York, NY:  Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.

After reading McKissack's Flossie and the Fox, I wanted to read more of her work to see this style again.  Mirandy and Brother Wind is a continuation of the family tales told by McKissack about the stories she remembers hearing as a child.

In this story, the title character, Mirandy, is interested in winnning a cakewalk dance contest.  After giving the problem considerable thought, she decides to enlist the help of the wind, referred to as Brother Wind in the story.  McKissack develops characterization through Mirandy and her interaction with her grandmother, neighbors and her friend, Ezel.  Through her dialogue with Ezel in particular, you can see that Mirandy's personality is head-strong, opinionated and determined to reach her goal.  In the beginning, Mirandy's conflict is person-against-nature; she is trying to capture the elusive wind.  Later, she also experiences person-against-person when she enters the cakewalk contest.

Once again, McKissack does not disappoint with this story.  It is full of the familiar dialect and the nature sounds abound in this telling.  The colors are molded together to form a gorgeous landscape that is somewhat secondary to the story.  However, the drawings of the wind are incredible.  They are shades of blue and gray, complete with a top hat to give the best-dressed look to Brother Wind.  It is visible, but still somewhat elusive as the wind itself.  Children ages 4-8 would enjoy the book, especially the chasing the wind sections.  All children chase those things that are most difficult to catch, birds, butterflies and of course, the wind.  The cakewalk itself is less exciting, however it does give some insight to Mirandy's character as she chooses an unlikely dance partner at the last minute.

As I read this book, I enjoyed the conversations and questions that Mirandy posed of her family and friends.  I was reminded of my daughter asking WHY and HOW when she was younger.  In considering this book for classroom use, I would want to use it to discuss bullying and standing up for one's friends and their own beliefs.  What would have happened if Mirandy hadn't defended Ezel?  How would the story have been different if she had just resigned to not being able to catch the wind? 

Overall, this was a beautiful book that told a lovely family memory.