Ends/Begins

7 Generations #3

by David Alexander Robertson, Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator)

In 1964, two brothers are taken from the warm and loving care of their grandparents, and spirited away to a residential school, miles from home. James, assigned to manual work on the grounds, sees less and less of his younger brother, Thomas. James soon discovers the anguish that Thomas is living under, which leads to unspeakable tragedy. The pain and guilt that dogs James continues to affect his troubled son, Edwin (introduced in book 1). But a new understanding is dawning between them...

Genres: Graphic Novels, Indigenous, Canada, Fiction, Historical, Young Adult

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2010

About the author

DAVID A. ROBERTSON is a two-time winner of the Governor General's Literary Award, has won the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, as well as the Writer's Union of Canada Freedom to Read award. He has received several other accolades for his work as a writer for children and adults, podcaster, public speaker, and social advocate. He was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba for outstanding contributions in the arts and distinguished achievements in 2023. He is a member of Norway House Cree Nation and lives in Winnipeg.

Reviews

[Narmeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so painful that I don’t feel right rating it as anything. To say “I really liked it” means I enjoyed reading a tragedy that native americans call their reality. The rating is solely for the impact David Alexander Robertson’s work has on his readers. He is an excellent storyteller, that much has already been established.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ends/Begins picks up where book two in the series (Scars) left off in Edwin's life. We see Edwin's father telling him the story of his time in the Indian Residential School system. This is just as well done as the previous books in the series, and as the other work I have read from David Alexander Robertson.

As we delve more into Edwin's own life, we also delve more into the lives of those before him. Reading about his father's time in a residential school is heartbreaking. The story is so emotive, and at this point in the series I definitely feel more connected than ever with the characters, even the ones that are only just being introduced. The art is emotive as well, and continues to suit the story, but I do continue to wish it was in full colour.

I definitely recommend this series so far, although I also recommend starting at the beginning and reading them in order. Definite content warning for child abuse for this book in particular. I have already put book four on hold at the library, and I look forward to reading it.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Juin, Mois national de l'histoire autochtone.
Je suis tombé sur 3 de ces livres - je ne savais pas dans quel ordre les lires, mais je me suis dit que c'était un bon temps pour les lires.
L'histoire, va au delà des mots et des images.
Je dois trouver le 4e tome.

J'ai commencé par celui-ci - aoutch.
Comme tous les autres livres qui traitent du même sujet, j'ai eu les larmes aux yeux - la haine, la honte de faire parti de ceux qui on laissé ces choses arrivés.

Encore une fois, avoir la perspective de l'intérieur, donne un accès hors du commun au lecture.

Merci

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, Edwin learns how residential schools impacted his dad (and his siblings specifically, but his whole family and the Indigenous population) and ultimately the relationship between the two of them--Father and son--and their family life. No new information if you're family with history, and suited for elementary rather than high school.

[Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was brutal and heart breaking.

[Dazed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story seems both most relatable to things I've heard, and so incredibly different from everything I know in my life. Very powerful, very tragic, and very important.

[Ande Han · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread. This one is good