Book review of “The Gammage Cup” by Carol Kendall

Within a ring of impenetrable mountains, 12 villages inhabited by the Minnipins, or “Small Ones,” are safely concealed from all danger.

Or so the Minnipins think.

A few people believe differently. They actually think that their enemies may be attempting to invade the valley. But these individuals are considered eccentric at the best of times and this just sounds plain crazy. Of course they are safe. Haven’t they always been? The particular Minnipins who dare to disagree dress far differently then the customary Minnipin code of dress, which is dull brown and dark green. They enjoy wearing bright colors and don’t hold to any ordinary sort of work. Why, they paint pictures and even search for fabled buried treasure! When they go so far as to stand up against the long venerated council of the town, it is considered too much and they are kicked out of the village. While in exile, these courageous outlaw friends discover the reality of the plot to eradicate the Minnipins. It looks like they might just have to be responsible for attempting to save their kind from total destruction.        

Behind the cover of an imaginative children’s fantasy Kendall hides a much deeper message. She portrays how ridiculous it is to scorn those who are different from us. The Minnipins hold on to tradition just because it is tradition. Because certain things have always been held for truth, (like green is the only proper color to paint your door, shame on you if you don’t,) well then, it must be true! But Kendall tries to demonstrate the deception of this statement. The Minnipins are in need of a change. They are far too self-important and unwilling to listen to the truth about things when it comes their way.

They remind me a bit of some of the Puritans in the 1600’s. Some Puritans thought it scandalous if anyone wore bright colors because they had grown up thinking this way and believed it must be true. They even went to the extent of killing people who disagreed with some of their beliefs. I think it is so important to test what you believe against what is solid truth. It is also important to not shrink from holding fast to the truth just because others will ridicule you if you do. If it is true and worth standing firm on, then it will prove itself true in the long run, even if others do not think it will.

Story Starter Ideas:

• Think of an issue or struggle in our present day, or even in the past, that you think should be addressed, such as bigotry. Create a fantasy world with a problem that resembles the real-life concern at hand. Demonstrate why the problem is wrong and should be ended.
• Come up with characters as flavorful as the ones in The Gammage Cup. If you have a hard time coming up with characters from thin air, use real people’s personalities as your basis.