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jessereadsthings's review against another edition
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
5.0
A good introduction for children on the topic of residential schools.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
The residency schools are a dark mark left on a he indigenous peoples of Canada who survived them. But that isn't quite what this picture book is about and Amik only knows that he loves his school.
When he discovers that his grandfather did not like his school, he feels he has to share how different schools are now. He shows how the language of his people are taught at the school, and his heritage is now respected. They even smudge the room every morning, just as they do at home.
His grandfather is happy that this school is not like the one he endured.
Not as striking as some of the other picture books that have tried to explain the residency schools to school age children, it does not tell of the horrors that the children endured, but perhaps that is ok. It does let Amik know that things used to be much worse, and now they are better.
This is a good, simple, introduction to the idea of the residency schools, and should probably be followed up with some of the excellent picture books out there that do go more into this, such as "when we were alone" and "I am not a number" both of which either chronicle real relatives stories of being in the residency schools. Those are the only two I know of, and it this one makes three. There should be more books out there.
Just as there are books of the holocaust, and of the Japanese Internment, there needs to be books that chronicle what happened, so the children, and grandchildren can understand and make sure it doesn't happen again.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
When he discovers that his grandfather did not like his school, he feels he has to share how different schools are now. He shows how the language of his people are taught at the school, and his heritage is now respected. They even smudge the room every morning, just as they do at home.
His grandfather is happy that this school is not like the one he endured.
Not as striking as some of the other picture books that have tried to explain the residency schools to school age children, it does not tell of the horrors that the children endured, but perhaps that is ok. It does let Amik know that things used to be much worse, and now they are better.
This is a good, simple, introduction to the idea of the residency schools, and should probably be followed up with some of the excellent picture books out there that do go more into this, such as "when we were alone" and "I am not a number" both of which either chronicle real relatives stories of being in the residency schools. Those are the only two I know of, and it this one makes three. There should be more books out there.
Just as there are books of the holocaust, and of the Japanese Internment, there needs to be books that chronicle what happened, so the children, and grandchildren can understand and make sure it doesn't happen again.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
gargi's review against another edition
5.0
In the nineteenth century, the Canadian Government decided it would be best to assimilate the indigenous peoples of Canada and the best way to go about it would be if they became Christian and spoke English or French. This was done by way of compulsory residential schools where indigenous children spent up to ten months an year, barely saw their families, and would be punished if 'caught' practising their customs. All this was done in the hope that these students would teach this lifestyle to their kids and water down their own cultures.
I didn't know any of this till this morning.
And this is why we need representation in literature.
The protagonist loves his school and asks his grandfather about his schooldays. The grandfather didn't like the school he was forced to go to where they didn't even let him speak his language. The grandfather then accompanies Amik to his school where he is happy to find that they follow their customs and that their language is being taught.
The book was quite short and simple with a younger audience in mind. I expect a classroom/library reading would provide an environment where the indigenous peoples, their practices, and the discrimination against them can be discussed.
I'm really glad that such a book exists for it will expose kids to the prejudice in the world and sensitise them.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this review!
I didn't know any of this till this morning.
And this is why we need representation in literature.
The protagonist loves his school and asks his grandfather about his schooldays. The grandfather didn't like the school he was forced to go to where they didn't even let him speak his language. The grandfather then accompanies Amik to his school where he is happy to find that they follow their customs and that their language is being taught.
The book was quite short and simple with a younger audience in mind. I expect a classroom/library reading would provide an environment where the indigenous peoples, their practices, and the discrimination against them can be discussed.
I'm really glad that such a book exists for it will expose kids to the prejudice in the world and sensitise them.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for this review!
elizabethlk's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first time reading any of Katherena Vermette's Seven Teachings stories, although I have read a little of her other work before, but I definitely hope to grab the remainder of the series from the library.
This book is more of an easy reader, the kind that you might find levelled by some publishers, than a picture book (I had only seen it online, not in person, until I checked it out, and I had thought it was a picture book). It is an incredibly sweet story about a boy who loves school, and his grandfather who attended a residential school. The story is touching, but believable. The introduction to residential schools is gentle and not detailed, but doesn't try to conceal truths. It makes for a good introduction to residential schools, especially for children who might be learning more in the near future. The illustrations are subtle and sweet.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a way to introduce a difficult topic to a younger audience. I look forward to reading the remainder of Katherena Vermette's Seven Teachings series.
This book is more of an easy reader, the kind that you might find levelled by some publishers, than a picture book (I had only seen it online, not in person, until I checked it out, and I had thought it was a picture book). It is an incredibly sweet story about a boy who loves school, and his grandfather who attended a residential school. The story is touching, but believable. The introduction to residential schools is gentle and not detailed, but doesn't try to conceal truths. It makes for a good introduction to residential schools, especially for children who might be learning more in the near future. The illustrations are subtle and sweet.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a way to introduce a difficult topic to a younger audience. I look forward to reading the remainder of Katherena Vermette's Seven Teachings series.
youngdi's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elizabethlk's review
4.0
This is my first time reading any of Katherena Vermette's Seven Teachings stories, although I have read a little of her other work before, but I definitely hope to grab the remainder of the series from the library.
This book is more of an easy reader, the kind that you might find levelled by some publishers, than a picture book (I had only seen it online, not in person, until I checked it out, and I had thought it was a picture book). It is an incredibly sweet story about a boy who loves school, and his grandfather who attended a residential school. The story is touching, but believable. The introduction to residential schools is gentle and not detailed, but doesn't try to conceal truths. It makes for a good introduction to residential schools, especially for children who might be learning more in the near future. The illustrations are subtle and sweet.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a way to introduce a difficult topic to a younger audience. I look forward to reading the remainder of Katherena Vermette's Seven Teachings series.
This book is more of an easy reader, the kind that you might find levelled by some publishers, than a picture book (I had only seen it online, not in person, until I checked it out, and I had thought it was a picture book). It is an incredibly sweet story about a boy who loves school, and his grandfather who attended a residential school. The story is touching, but believable. The introduction to residential schools is gentle and not detailed, but doesn't try to conceal truths. It makes for a good introduction to residential schools, especially for children who might be learning more in the near future. The illustrations are subtle and sweet.
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a way to introduce a difficult topic to a younger audience. I look forward to reading the remainder of Katherena Vermette's Seven Teachings series.
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