Annie and the Old One (Newbery Honor Book)

by Miska Miles

Book Overview

A Newbery Honor Book
Winner of the Christopher Award
The concept of death is beautifully presented to young children in this moving story of a Navajo child's love for her grandmother and her reluctance to lose her.

Annie, a Navajo child, resorts to extremes in trying to prevent her dear grandmother from dying. The "old one'' has said she will return to Earth when she has finished helping Annie and Annie's mother...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316571202
• ISBN13: 9780316571203
• Release Date: May 1985
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 44 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 8.1" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

A Kid's Review

Annie and the Old One is a book about how a young girl feels when her grandmother is about to die. I like this book because a lot of books for kids don't talk about people dying. I'm an emotional person. This book is terrific because it gives a lot of information about the Native American culture. Ben, Second Grade, 2005-2006

Teaching children about death

This book gently explains to young children the reality and inevitability of death. I enjoy reading this book as much as my daughter enjoys hearing it.

A touching story of a child dealing with death

I'm a little puzzled by two negative entries in the review section for this book. The one by the second grade class seems to have missed the particular theme of this book and the second claims the story is predictable. Well, in a way, it is predictable. The grandmother's death is an inevitable event, and dealing with that death and loss is a story every child must deal with in their lives. The young girl in this book reacts with horror to the thought of losing her grandmother--and even tries to fight it--keep it from happening. In the end, she comes to an understanding and an acceptance of what death means and finds new strength for herself and her family. This is a wonderful book for those children who are dealing with the question of death in their own lives.

Natural way to explain death. Result, no fear of death!

Twenty years ago a child librarian recommended "Annie and the Old One" to me. I have explained death to small children using this book. Several are now adults. None have ever feared death. "Annie and the Old One will always remain part of my personal library. Today, I send a copy of it to a dying grandmother to read to her small grandchildren. I am honored to send this gift to my friend, and thankful to the author, Miska Miles, for writing "Annie and the Old One" for all of us.

Excellent book for helping small children cope with death

This book is excellent for two reasons: the story line and illustrations expose children to Navajo culture, and the relationship between a small child and her grandmother is one that small children can identify with. Reading this story can give parents and children's a starting point for talking about loss of a loved one.