Book review: Dear Canada: Blood Upon Our Land by Maxine Trottier

Dear Canada: Blood Upon Our Land by Maxine Trottier (published by Scholastic Canada, January 1, 2009)

Twelve-year-old Josephine Bouvier and her family are Métis, descended from Cree Indians and French Canadians. They have their own unique culture, with a mixture of Native and French traditions, and are devout Catholics. The Bouviers live a peaceful life on their farm in Batoche, Saskatchewan, after being forced to leave their previous home because of white settlers shortly before Josephine was born. Josephine’s mother died two years ago, and her biggest worry is adjusting to her new stepmother, Louise.

However, all that changes in the winter of 1885. Once again, the Métis are threatened with the loss of their homes. The Canadian government does not want to grant them title to their lands, and with white settlers beginning to move further west, the Métis fear they will lose their businesses and farms, since they have no legally recognized claim to them. The men are determined to fight for their homes, but Josephine is afraid. She knows that the soldiers will greatly outnumber her people and she fears for the lives of her family and friends.

Blood Upon Our Land was another good book from the Dear Canada series. I am so glad this series has continued now that the Dear America series is over, since I love historical fiction written in the form of a diary. As an American, I also really enjoyed learning about an event from Canadian history that I knew nothing about. I recommend this book to other readers who have enjoyed books in either the Dear America or Dear Canada series.