From: Erica Siskind <esiskind_at_oaklandlibrary.org>
Date: Wed, 12 May 2010 14:06:40 -0500

I was (like Nel Ward) not completely satisfied with In Our Mothers' House b y Polacco.

First, I was struck by the unreality of having two professional parents (a pediatrician and a paramedic) who are shown in nearly every picture as bein g home at the same time (not tag-team parenting). In fact, in one scene, th e kids come running home from school and are unsurprised to find both paren ts in the kitchen. There is no caveat that (in real life) this takes some t ricky arranging, at the very least. This looks to me like idealism presente d as realism.

Second, in the final section, all 3 of the diverse, adopted children are sh own (& described) in a heterosexual marriage to a person who matches their particular skin color. I am trying to understand why Polacco chose to end t he story with such specificity in this way.

I would like to hear other opinions on that.

- Erica.
Received on Wed 12 May 2010 02:06:40 PM CDT