Eidi by Bodil Bredsdorff

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bredsdorff, Bodil.  2009. Eidi. Translated by Kathryn Mahaffy. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 978-0-374-31267-1

SUMMARY
When's Eidi's mother, Foula, gives birth to a baby brother, Eidi decides it's time to make a life on her own. Leaving home, Eidi hopes she can help her friend, the shepard Rossan, with carding and spinning wool for the winter. When Rossan takes Eidi to the market town to sell the wool, his unexpected injury means that Eidi must take a job making shawls at a wealthy merchants home. There, she discovers a boy who needs her help and makes a decision that will change both of their lives.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Eidi is the second book in "The Children of Crow Cove Series." Originally published in Danish in 1993, it was translated into English by Kathryn Mahaffy and published in the US in 2009. It was a 2010 Batchelder Honor book and a 2010 USSBY Outstanding International Book. The front cover is pleasing to the eye using watercolors in soft tones of green and brown which describe the language as well; soft, simple and beautiful. Bredsdorff's writing contains vivid imagery and is descriptive; when an eagle cries out, a dog "...cocked one ear...without opening her eyes, as if she knew that it wasn't the kind of sound she had to attend to."  When describing the heath on the way to the market town, Eidi looks out upon the land and reflects that "Boulders jutted up like the backs of big gray animals resting on little green paws." We can consider the book realistic historical fiction, however, when an evil person or a bad event is about to occur, Eidi's ears signal her by hurting; the pain/evil motif is not necessary and throws the reader into disbelief. However, this is a minor complaint and the story has much to offer. 

The setting is an undetermined time or place, however, the descriptions of aprons over dresses, tasks like carding and spinning wool and walking days to get to town allow the reader to know the story is set in the past during a simpler time. The front matter contains a map which allows the reader to see the land is a peninsula, and along with the names of the characters and descriptions of the land, give the impression of Europe a few hundred years ago. Although there was no specific dialect, a cultural element used is when Eidi's mother asks her if she's making a "try-your-luck" or a "better-luck-next-time" shawl which allows people to know you are willing to be hired for sewing. When Eidi is confronted by her drunk stepfather, he doesn't recognize her and calls her a guttersnipe and wench. 

Students will appreciate the values in the book; a strong work ethic, kindness to another person and even that mean people can also have good qualities.  Bredsdorff's characters are interesting and leave us wanting to know more; there are hints that each person who has settled in Crow Cove are there after a traumatic event in their lives. The community in Crow Cove reassures young readers that life can still be lived happily after bad things happen. The reading order of the series starts with The Crow-Girl, then Eidi and filling out the series is Tink and Alek; two characters in Eidi which have their own interesting stories to tell. 

This book will be a hit with young girls between 10-14; especially those who love the Little House or Dear America series.  

REVIEW EXCERPTS
The time and place are quite vague; the author brings to life a simply functioning world similar to that found in fairy tales—a place that is both specific and universal. Lyrically told, the narrative provides apt descriptions of events and of the natural world. Readers easily decode the motivations and inner thoughts revealed in the actions and words of the characters who are vividly and quickly delineated but possess lively complexities. --School Library Journal 

“Like the previous book in the Children of Crow Cove series, this unassuming yet compelling story is notable for the simplicity and power of the storytelling, the clarity of description and characterization, and the humanity of the ideas at the novel’s heart.” -- Starred, Booklist

“As quiet as its predecessor, this novel shines when it explores the complexities of the human psyche; Eidi finds that even the most seemingly heartless may have redemptive qualities. Her quasi-mystic ability to "hear" truth, brought on by a head injury, mars the simplicity of the tale, keeping it from achieving the gem-like perfection of Crow-Girl. Still, an equally heartfelt story of love and belonging.” -- Kirkus Reviews

CONNECTIONS
For students who enjoyed this book, they may enjoy reading other books in this series and similar style books: 

• The Crow-Girl. 2004. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux. ISBN 9780374312473 (The first book in Bredsdorff's The Children of Crow Cove Series.)
• Wilder, Laura Ingalls. 2004. The Little House Collection. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060754280
• Kelly, Jacqueline. 2011. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Square Fish. ISBN 9780312659301
• Larson, Kirby. 2008. Hattie Big Sky. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9780385735957

- Eidi knows how to make many useful and household objects.  Have books on the following topics in the classroom so students can extend their learning - some examples are: knitting, sewing, quilting, spinning wool, candle making and buttons.  

- The Junior Library Guild has created a 28 page guide for teachers to use with students.  The guide is divided by chapters and include activities for student's including vocabulary, discussion questions, comprehension questions, as well as discussing literary term like setting, point-of-view.  Also contains suggestions for other reading. 

- Eidi is a 2010 Batchelder Honor book and a 2010 USSBY recommended book.  Both of these awards are for international books.   If students enjoy reading books by international  authors, have them look at the award websites to see if there are other books of interest. 

Batchelder:  http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/batchelderaward/batchelderpast 

USSBY: http://www.usbby.org/list_oibl.html