PORCH LIES:TALES OF SLICKSTERS, TRICKSTERS, AND OTHER WILY CHARACTERS by Patricia C. McKissak

This blog was done for a course at TWU.
Bibliography:
McKissack, Patricia C. 2006. Porch Lies: Tales of Slicksters, tricksters, and other Wily Characters. Ill by Andre Carrilho. New York: Schwartz and Wade Books.
ISBN 0-375-93619-x

Summary:
This book is a compilation of stories that are retold by the author. They are stories that have been passed down through the generations. The author states that she remembers sitting on the porch and family members telling tall tales. That is how they name porch lies came to be. The book contains eleven of these so called "porch lies."

Analysis:
It took me awhile to get interested in this book. It was not one of my favorites while reading it but since finishing I find myself thinking back to some of the stories. That is the sign of a good book, one where the characters never leave you. The characters in this story are all bigger than life. They do things that don't seem possible yet you find yourself wondering if they are possible. Each plot of the stories is different but the author does an excellent job of transitioning and setting up the new setting in your mind. The language of the book makes you feel like you are on a front porch listening to someone tell you a story. Based on the illustrations you know that the porch lies all revolve around African American characters. There are not many illustrations but they really help to bring the characters alive and fit in very well with the stories.

Review Excerpts:
Horn Book Magazine review: It’s a clever idea: McKissack presents ten original trickster stories tailored for children with a child narrator in each one, for immediate and lasting identification."

School Library Journal review: "Carrilho's eerie black-and-white illustrations, dramatically off-balance, lit by moonlight, and elongated like nightmares, are well-matched with the stories."



Connections:
I would love to use this book in my classroom in two ways. For one I would like to use it to help show the importance, and fun, in talking with family members, especially older ones. I love sitting around and listening to stories, whether they are true or "porch lies." I feel that in today's time children have lost that connection to oral stories. They would rather play video games or watch TV. I would want my students to know that it is a great way learn about your family history as well as have some fun!

I would also like to use it for a creative writing activity. I love giving kids the chance to write and come up with something on their own. After reading the book I would like my students to com up with their own 'porch lie." Whether it is completely fabricated or has a few shreds of truth in it I would love to see what they can come up with.