Age Group: 9 - 12 Years

Description: The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks is a classic children’s fantasy novel about Omri, a young boy who receives a small plastic Indian figure and a mysterious cupboard for his birthday. When Omri discovers that locking the cupboard with a special key brings the toy to life, he meets Little Bear, an 18th-century Iroquois man. As Omri and his friend Patrick experiment with bringing other figures to life, they realize these tiny people have real feelings, histories, and needs. The story explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and understanding across cultures, as Omri learns that the magic comes with serious consequences. The novel has won several awards, including the Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award.