Full Steam to Canada

Barr Colony #1

by Anne Patton

Dorothy Bolton and her family are making ends meet in Britain in 1903, but the growing number of stories about vast expanses of fertile, free land have caught the eye of her father and her brother. Her father dreams to have a farm of his own. When young Frank loses his clerk job to a returning Boer War veteran, the Boltons' last good reason for staying where they are is gone with it. They follow the lead of Reverend Isaac Barr, whose stated mission it is to create an exclusively British colony in the new world. In lively language and crystal-clear detail, Anne Patton recreates the Boltons' farewell to friends and family, their journey across the Atlantic in a ship packed with other emigrants on the Barr Colony mission and their journey by train from the Maritimes to the Canadian prairie. Based on interviews with the original Dorothy Bolton, Full Steam to Canada is a novel, but it absolutely is a true story.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Canada

216 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Anne Patton’s books for children include Fiddle Dancer and Dancing in My Bones – books that explore Metis culture through the world of dance – and the Tyler collection for Scholastic Education.

Fiddle Dancer was nominated for a Saskatchewan Young Readers’ Choice Award, while Dancing in My Bones was the recipient of the 2010 Moonbeam Spirit Award. Full Steam to Canada is the winner of the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild John V Hicks Unpublished Long Manuscript Award.

Born in Ontario, Anne taught elementary school in Regina for many years, before retirement launched her into a career as a prolific children’s author.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl whose family decides to move to Canada from England in 1903.The main character, Dorothy,is adventurous. I love her adventures because they are big and funny. Dorothy travels by ship for two weeks to Saint John, New Brunswick then by train to Saskatoon. I loved this book because it mentions Saskatoon. It's about history and a huge adventure.
Laura
grade 2

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a long long journey from England to Canada a girl namd Dorthy Bolton and her fammly are sailing to Canada by ship for two weeks then riding a train. They found out that it takes a very very long time to get to Canada on a ship. It's a great adventure. I like Dorthy because she is adventerous.
Elizabeth
grade 2

[Lynda Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rarely read children's books, but I loved this one and couldn't put it down. The writing was skillful and I felt really taken in to the experience of a family, and especially a 10 year old girl, Dodie, as they packed up all their earthly belongings and travelled by ship from England to Canada in 1903, then across Canada on a train to their new home, which is at the outset a tent in the middle of the prairie. The hope for the parents, especially the father, was that they would have land of their own, not have to rent from the lord and they could hunt freely. Deep yearnings here, for a better life. One also sees how Dodie tackles challenges, pushes against the gender messages for girls at that time in history, and matures over the course of the journey. The book is extremely well researched and provides archival photos and definition of terms from that time period which would be helpful for the 9 to 11 year old readers. I am keen to read the next book in the series. Well done Anne Patton !

[Alison Lohans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Steam to Canada: A Barr Colony Adventure is a delightful read. Patton has convincingly crafted a memorable protagonist in her meticulously-researched historical novel. The character Dodie has lingered in my mind ever since I read the book several years ago; she's a vibrant child whose unquenchable personality is so strong and real that she dances off the page. British class structure expectations, vs the adventure of moving to the remote Canadian wilderness, are clearly illustrated through character conflict within Dodie's family - these characters also very well developed. The novel contains rich sensory detail as well as a delightful lacing of humour. Highly recommended!

[Rachel Seigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very earnest immigration story featuring a spirited 10-year-old girl.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is 1903 and Dorothy Bolton and her family leave England for Canada. While her family suffers from sea sickness, Dorothy makes new friends and explores the ship. When they arrive in Canada there is the long train trip through the wilderness until they reach Saskatoon, their final destination. This story is based on a true account.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. They went to Canananananada. :)

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I am now nearing 60. As a child, I lived for reading books like this with a gutsy young heroine and her family starting a whole new life.

[C2015 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me ages to finish…just so busy. Good story. I find the topic very interesting. I’ve started the next one

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full Steam to Canada
Author: Anne Patton
Full Steam to Canada by Anne Patton is an engaging page-turner for middle grade readers, but also an uplifting, fact-filled chronicle for anyone who is interested in an adventurous story of immigration and settlement on the Canadian prairies. This historically accurate novel is based on diaries from the actual voyage, archived materials, and most importantly, the memoirs of the person who inspired the main character. We travel an eventful journey from England to Saskatchewan, with the main character, a lively and quick-thinking, 10 year old girl, her parents, older siblings, other pioneering families and historical characters in charge of the Barr Colony enterprise. The reader is immersed in the dichotomy of Victorian social mores versus the practicalities and hardships of lives venturing overseas for a more prosperous future. Idioms and expressions of the era keep the dialogue true to the time period. This book is fast-paced and a pure joy to read!

[Gillian Kisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story which rapidly engulfs one in the trials and tribulations of Dorothy and her family as they leave their relative comfort of northern England for the promise of land in the Canadian prairies. As an adult I loved the book. A nine year old
in England is eagerly waiting for "What happens next "in the trilogy.
Loads of facts are woven into the story which also serves as a good historical and geographical information. What a great way to learn about the geography of the prairies!