I think the movie "The Little Giants" is a great depiction of childhood. I believe this because the movie is about a bunch of friends who play football. A lot of kids have childhood memories of playing sports with their buddies and having fun. This is where a lot of good times are made. In the movie they aren't the most talented team, but they enjoy playing and work hard. They work together and in the end are able to knock off the All-Star Dallas Cowboys youth football team. It tells a story about teamwork and just having fun. A big part about childhood is hanging out with your friends!
In the four stories we have read, childhood is depicted as being young and confused about the world. The Sutton Pie Safe, Every Little Hurricane, and Bottle Caps are all examples of this. The child in the Sutton Pie Safe doesn't understand why the dad is upset or what is going on with Mrs. Hanson. In Every Little Hurricane, the boy sees the alcohol abuse and violence around him, but isn't really sure why they all act this way yet. Finally, in Bottle Caps, the younger brother steals his older brothers bottle caps because he doesn't understand it is part of a collection. He uses them for his insect cemetary. A difference is the background each person comes from. Cates comes from a farm family in the countryside. Victor grows up on an Indian Reservation. Connie and the boys in Bottle Caps are from cities. I think they are right about not understanding everything, but only to a certain extent. Once kids hit a certain age, they start learning why things happen. Overall, i think they do a pretty good job depicting childhood, although there don't seem to be any happy times in the stories.
I think you make a really good point about the sutton pie safe but, although the author doesn't comne out and say it, I think that Cates does have an idea of whats going on with Mrs. Hanson. I also agree with the fact that the authors don't depict enough happy times of childhood.
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