Dear Canada: Banished from Our Home by Sharon Stewart (Published by Scholastic Canada, September 1, 2004) Twelve-year-old Angélique Richard has lived her whole life on a farm in Grand-Pre, Acadia, as part of a large, loving family. But the year is 1755, and life for everyone in Acadia is about to change forever. The British government has been imposing more and more restrictions on the Acadian people, due to the war with the French. Although the Acadians wish to remain neutral, the British refuse to trust them. Angélique's father and many of the other men are thrown in jail for signing a petition in protest of this unfair treatment, and even worse is to come for the people of Grand-Pre.
Angélique describes this all in her diary, first telling of everyday life - doing chores, going to church, fun times with her brothers, sisters, and cousins - and then the difficulties she faces as the British impose more restrictions on her people. This is followed by the unjustified deportation of her people, which results in separation from some of her family members and friends, and Angélique's struggle to remain hopeful in the heartbreak that follows, as her family searches for a new home, facing many hardships along the way.
This book is one of my favorite books from the Dear Canada series. Angélique is a wonderfully real character who brings to life the heartbreaking story of the Acadians and the tragedies they faced during their forced exile from their homeland. I highly recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed other Dear Canada books or books from the similar Dear America series.
2 comments:
So glad to know there's a Cajun book out in the world! I'll have to look it up.
As this is giving all the review of the book. And I also feel very good to get the information about the Cajun book. And I will try to read that all.
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