This a hardcover young adult novel published by Tundra Books (who graciously sent me a copy to review). Tundra does a lot with Canadian history for children and this book illustrates the type of author they choose and how well they do the job of bringing history alive.
Beatrice is a teen in the winter of 1856, and her father's new wife is driving a wedge between the child and her father. Her mother was Cree, and Ivy doesn't want anything that belonged to her left in the cabin.
Ms. Buffie does an excellent job of showing how tough life was back in the late 1800's. Living in the frontier wasn't easy for any of them, and being female meant she had few choices in how her life will proceed.
Cass' father also has a new wife, and she's not any more understanding than Ivy was about old mementos from "mom". When Cass finds and reads the diary, she realizes she is not alone, someone else has walked the path she now walking.
I found the story line intriguing. It's like two different novels are being merged into one using the diary as a vehicle. There's a special ending to both stories and I won't give away what happens. This book is available at your local bookstore now. Get yourself a copy and read this charming tale of two young women coming of age. You won't be disappointed.
2 comments:
Hello Jo Ann,
Thank you for this very nice review! I enjoyed seeing it very much. I don't think I've ever responded to a review, and appreciate the ease at which one can do this on your blog. I just want to point out that the house Cass and Beatrice are living in is, in fact, a solid two story stone house and not a cabin. Old Maples was built by Beatrice’s father, a middle class Scottish Métis who holds a high position in the society of the Red River Settlement. A small detail, but actually quite an important one in this story as the house plays a big part in it.
Again, many thanks for the review. It's a keeper!
Happy reading!
Margaret Buffie
Thank you for your comments, Magaret.
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