The Indian in the Cupboard

Lynne Reid Banks

64 pages 2-hour read

Lynne Reid Banks

The Indian in the Cupboard

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1980

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Omri is the youngest of three brothers in a British family. He has a fondness for putting things in cupboards, which leads to his discovery of the magic cabinet. Striving to manage the massive responsibility of caring for a living, tiny human, he displays growing maturity and a strong moral compass.

Key Relationships

Caretaker and friend of Little Bear

Best friend of Patrick

Younger brother of Gillon

Younger brother of Adiel

Son of Omri's Mother

Son of Omri's Father

Caretaker of Boone

Student of Mr. Johnson

Little Bear is a proud Iroquois warrior and chief's son from the 18th century, transported into Omri's modern world. Despite being the size of a toy, he expects respect and behaves with the dignity of a leader. He is fiercely brave, quick to adapt to his strange new surroundings, and possesses a strong sense of tradition.

Key Relationships

Dependent and friend of Omri

Adversary of Boone

Warily connected to Patrick

Suitor of Bright Stars

Rider of Crazy-Horse

Patrick is Omri's closest friend, sharing his interest in plastic toys and skateboards. When he learns of the magic cupboard, his excitement overpowers his judgment, viewing the living people merely as animated action figures. His selfish ambition to play with the tiny men creates severe risks for everyone involved.

Key Relationships

Best friend of Omri

Creator and owner of Boone

Acquaintance of Little Bear

Student of Mr. Johnson

Supporting Characters

Boone is a cowboy from 1889 who acts tough but has an overly sensitive, easily emotional nature, earning him the nickname "Boohoo" back home. He carries deep-seated biases against Indigenous Americans, preferring to drink and complain. Despite his gruff exterior, he possesses a remarkable talent for drawing.

Key Relationships

Adversary of Little Bear

Dependent of Patrick

Cared for by Omri

Tommy is a cheerful, brave British medical soldier pulled from the trenches of World War I. Believing his experience to be a bizarre dream, he maintains his military composure and competence while treating injuries much smaller than he is accustomed to.

Key Relationships

Summoned by Omri

Medic for Little Bear

Bright Stars is a young Iroquois woman brought to life from a plastic figurine chosen at the local shop. She is capable, perceptive, and understands her native language, making her an ideal companion for a chief.

Key Relationships

Selected companion for Little Bear

Created by Omri

Mr. Johnson is the strict, cranky headmaster at Omri and Patrick's school. He is highly effective at interrogating misbehaving students and serves as a major threat to the boys' secret when their erratic behavior draws his suspicion.

Key Relationships

Headmaster of Omri

Headmaster of Patrick

Gillon is Omri's middle brother. He currently lacks an allowance due to a mishap with his father's bicycle, so he scavenges an alleyway find for a birthday gift. His loose pet rat creates a severe hazard in the household.

Key Relationships

Older brother of Omri

Younger brother of Adiel

Son of Omri's Mother

Son of Omri's Father

Adiel is Omri's oldest brother. He plays football and acts as a typical older sibling, sometimes picking fights or taking things as punishment. He inadvertently causes a major crisis when he confiscates Omri's belongings over a misunderstanding.

Key Relationships

Older brother of Omri

Older brother of Gillon

Son of Omri's Mother

Son of Omri's Father

Mr. Yapp is the proprietor of the local news agent and toyshop where the boys frequently purchase plastic figurines. He is vigilant about theft and deeply suspicious of the boys when they handle the tiny men in his store.

Key Relationships

Accuser of Omri

Acquaintance of Patrick

Omri's mother is a caring and busy parent who activates the magic by providing her grandmother's ornate key. She tries to keep track of her three sons and is unaware of the incredible events happening in Omri's bedroom.

Key Relationships

Mother of Omri

Mother of Gillon

Mother of Adiel

Wife of Omri's Father

Omri's father is a practical man who worries about his garden and the household's upkeep. He accidentally creates problems for the tiny men by pulling up floorboards to hunt for a loose pet rat.

Key Relationships

Father of Omri

Father of Gillon

Father of Adiel

Husband of Omri's Mother

A tiny, spirited horse brought to life from a plastic toy. Initially terrified by the giant world and Omri's handling, the animal is quickly calmed and tamed by Little Bear.

Key Relationships

Mount of Little Bear