A Country of Our Own: The Confederation Diary of Rosie Dunn

Dear Canada

by Karleen Bradford

As the rest of the country gears up for Confederation, Rosie's life is about to be pulled apart.
It's 1866. The year before Confederation. And the year Rosie's life turns upside-down.

She has just gone into service with Mr. Bradley, a civil servant working in Quebec City, the bustling capital of the Province of Canada. When the capital is moved to the rough sawmill town of Ottawa, the Bradleys have to move there too. Rosie will desperately miss her own parents and siblings, and wonders if she will ever have a place in her own family again.

Karleen Bradford draws on her own experience as the wife of a diplomat in Ottawa and embassies around the world to craft this authentic portrait of a young girl displaced in the whirlwind of government.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Canada, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Historical

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

So yes indeed, and also very much thankfully and happily, like usual with her historical fiction conceptualised for children, Karleen Bradford has in A Country of Our Own: The Confederation Diary of Rosie Dunn (a 2013 instalment in the Dear Canada series of fictional historical diaries) presented a generally delightfully descriptive and above all also realistic sense and spirit of time and place (with thirteen going on fourteen year old and just entering domestic service Rosie Dunn’s fictional first person narrative voice for the most part shining brightly and age appropriately and giving readers an in my opinion pretty well faithful and true to life portrait of mid 19th century life in Ontario and Quebec, both for the working class and for the upper middle class, including politicians, fun and enlightening to read, engagingly penned and thus generally quite sufficiently reading interest retaining).

However, as much as I have definitely found Rosie’s fictional journal entries regarding her day to day life (and times) interesting and engaging, the parts of the diary that specifically deal with politics, that focus on Canadian Confederation, I have tended to find these both rather textbook-like in feel and scope and often as though Rosie Dunn is actually and annoyingly kind of lecturing and preaching, like she almost is acting the part of a pro-Confederation politician. And while this of course does not automatically render A Country of Our Own: The Confederation Diary of Rosie Dunn propagandistic, it does for me make the Canadian Confederation parts of Rosie’s fictional diary not as realistic according to Rosie’s young age and a bit as though Rosie (and of course also by extension author Karleen Bradford) is actively giving her readers a Canadian history lesson (and one that also feels rather tacked on so to speak, as I do think that in A Country of Our Own: The Confederation Diary of Rosie Dunn, there is also a bit of an insurmountable caesura between Rosie’s musings about her life and her feelings and her political attitudes).

[Olivia Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and sweet. Absolutely loved seeing Confederation from the mc's perspective.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars for A Country of Our Own

Thoughts and Plot

In 1866 Rosie is all but forced to take her sister's place as a housemaid when the Bradley family up and move to Ottawa because the queen deemed it to be the capital of Canada. Rosie's sister is to be wed and cannot move with the family. But Rosie's parents need to income in order to feed and clothe all their children, so off Rosie is shipped to Ottawa with the wealthy Bradley's to live in a decent house in the middle of a mud-hole they call a street.

The only part I couldn't get over is the passing entry about the indigenous people asking for compensation for being moved off their land and onto a reservation in Ottawa and how the 'Missus' gaffed and said why should they as they"did not own the land just because they lived here." Seeing how they were there first...possession is 9/10s of the law, so to speak. While true that pople thought that way it really annoyed me and still does because that is how people think. Sure they were living here, but we'll just move them and take their land cause they don't own it. Disgusting. But I digress.

Rosie is brought alive by her all too human feelings of loneliness, happiness, and homesickness upon moving away. But the Bradley's are kind and tell her how helpful she is, and she is glad to be of use to the kind couple. Along with the cook, Brutus the dog, and eventually her cat, Rosie cuts out a nice life for herself. She makes friends with Briney, Jean-Louis, and eventually Bessie to take off the edge of missing her family. Together they weave a believeable story about a young lady who grows up away from her family, in service, during the birth of a country.

In Conclusion

A lovely and believeable story about a young lady during confederation in service to a politician. The book includes a lovely epilogue and historical notes.

Age range: middle school and up!









As the rest of the country gears up for Confederation, Rosie's life is about to be pulled apart.
It's 1866. The year before Confederation. And the year Rosie's life turns upside-down.




Karleen Bradford draws on her own experience as the wife of a diplomat in Ottawa and embassies around the world to craft this authentic portrait of a young girl displaced in the whirlwind of government

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look at the author first for these as some are long-time favourites and I know I'm in for a treat for those. This author, Karleen Bradford, I'd heard of and knew I had read a book by her but it wasn't until now that I've checked to see it was a book from a very long time ago about time travel back to the War of 1812 "The Other Elizabeth". I do have a fond remembrance of it. This was an entirely enjoyable book, written in journal format as usual for the Dear Canada series. Most children's books I read about Confederation take place in PEI but this one is a little unusual in that it takes place mostly in the time leading up to Confederation and takes place in Ottawa. It concerns a young girl who has been hired into service for a family in politics in "Eastern Canada" (renamed Quebec when it joined Confederation)who must move to Ottawa now that the Queen has named it captial city of the newly formed province of Canada (East & West combined). Ottawa is a ramshackle little town with small wooden houses, and mud streets that pigs and cows wander freely. The story mostly concentrates on day-to-day life as seen through the eyes of an Irish-Catholic servant girl but also her impressions of the daily life of her well-to-do employers. The political background concerns the thoughts pro and con for uniting the provinces into Confederation and the process that was involved during that full year leading up to Confederation. The book ends just after the celebration of the first Dominion Day July 1, 1867. Two historical figures are mentioned quite frequently Sir John A. MacDonald and Thomas D'arcy McGee. The main character, Rosie Dunn, is entirely likeable and makes for an interesting voice. The story is full of small crises making for an enjoyable plot, as well as an interesting historical piece. I really liked Bradford's writing and would easily read another book of hers.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute diary-style book about the lead up to Confederation through the eyes of a service girl - Rosie Dunn. I liked that it explored Canada as a place where all people can mingle (evident by Rosie and Briney being Irish and Jean-Louise being French Canadian...not too sure what Bessie was. I would assume English given her initial disliking of the Irish). Anyway, I would have liked to have seen Rosie with Jean-Louise if only to further present the idea that Canada is a place where people of different ethnicities can marry. Of course, the story (while fiction) was based on a real person so I'm not terribly disappointed.
While this book is mostly meant for kids it is definitely a nice book to swiftly read through on a rainy day for any person!

[Tianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed A Country of Our Own.....It had been quite some time since i'd read a Dear Canada, especially a new one!!....So I was excited!
I used to read the series years ago, one of my first series' actually...I have read 100's of book since then, but Dear Canada's are still appealing! Even after the more intense, suspenseful, thrilling book I've read, these still capture my interest!
I especially love learning about Canada....I find I don't know enough about the history of my country!
I recommend this book to all ages!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw this book in the library I thought it was a diary of someone who was living in Ottawa at the time of Confederation (there is no description on the book). A few pages in I thought I had mistakenly picked up a children's book and then that it was fiction. I'm still unsure of the intended reader (I suspect young teen), but in the author's notes I discovered that it was fiction. Based on the author's notes the book was true to what life was like at that time and place. It was an easy read.

[Carina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great and very interesting book, that was really well written and realistic. This book is about Rosie, a thirteen year old girl during the time of the forming of Canada, who is forced to move away from her family to get a job in Ottawa, and how she is able to make friends with Briney, Jean, and Bessie, gets a kitten, Sophie, and how she deals with and learns how to live away from home. I recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, and all who have liked historical diaries.

[Shanelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book because it gave me a whole new perspective on Ottawa and its beginnings. Who would have thought that pigs roamed freely in the streets of Ottawa in 1866?
I found Rosie Dunn's story to be quite interesting as I had no prior knowledge about maidservants being present at that time.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is an avid reader of Canada's history or to anyone who enjoys reading all the same.

[Mala Ashok · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a part of my Book Bingo. I'm so glad I did. This is the story of confederation as told by Rosie Dunn. Rosie is a young girl who works as a maid in an Ottawa CIvil Servant's home. She is interested in all that's happening around her and we hear first hand of various people's reaction to confederation and how the British North America Act comes into being. There is a bit of romance thrown in too. This book could be prescribed reading in middle school.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the fact that her employers appreciated her, her work and that she was made to feel part of the family. I don't know how historically accurate that part was, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. And the stirrings of romance between Briney and Rosie was sweet, too. I certainly see where they got their love for each other from later on.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

From an American perspective I thought that Rosie's comments about the possibility of the U.S. invading Canada pretty funny, as the only group who thought seriously about that were the Fenians. Interesting enough story, though contained an over-used maid trope.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was actually kind of boring. It didn't actually feel like a book on Confederation, only a book that mentioned it on occasion. For whatever reason, I think this is a book that could have been better told from the perspective of a diplomat's daughter, rather than a maidservant.

[Shanelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book from the Dear Canada series, A Country of Our Own is about a girl named Rosie, who is forced to take her sister's position as maidservant for the Bradley household. This leads to her moving to Ottawa and to experience a life without her family, as well as to see the Confederation pass.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Rosie had to leave her family to be a maid of Missus and Mister Bradley. She was sad to leave. She helped a lot though, and soon made friends in their new home, and also became part of their family. I learned that just because it seems bad doesn't mean it is. Auryn 12 yaers old, 2016

[Ashley-Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned a bit about confederation but would have liked more detail

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review to come!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, I sure learned lots of cool new history facts. The story was interesting and it was written well. Overall great book to read with my little sister who is interested in book like these!

[Amber]

I CANT READ IT

[Meaghan Steeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt it could have been a touch longer and that it just sort of abruptly ended. Other than that it was lovely.

[Madalina · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK BUT ROSIE AND BRINEY ARE SOOO CUTE TOGETHER.

[Emily Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

- For a series that center around the historical background of Canadian history, I have to say this book is one of the most least historically-centered books of the series.
- This book follows a girl named Rosie who works as a maid for a family called the Bradley's and she follows them to Ottawa for their parliamentary job after talk of confederation begins to gain attraction.
- Even though talk of confederation is sprinkled around the story, and there are historical aspects such as the setting and the cultural qualities of early Canada, we don't exactly dive deeper into the political point of the book. Confederation at the time was highly debated amongst many people, but they are only partly stated in the book (considering how short this book is compared to other books in the series). There are different characters with different nationalities (French, Irish, Indigenous, etc) that could've had some spotlight and explored the deeper meaning behind the creation of Canada, but it was all rushed and ignored for the most part.
- Rosie is stated to be interested in politics, so the story could've drawn in deeper with her relationship with Bessie, (who is English..?), Jean-Louis (A French boy), and the other Irish kid (uhhh Brinen or whatever) and the impact of what confederation means to them.
- The ending was kinda eh, (haha get it, Canadian joke). The missing ring was a strange plot-line to end on.
- I don't know if this is too much for a middle grade book to handle, (I'm not sure if the series is intended to only be brief and an introduction or a history textbook written like a novel), but in my experience with other Dear Canada books, this does not dive into the history of Canada as much as I would have wanted.

[SBF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read several Karleen Bradford novels in my early teens many years ago and remembered them quite fondly. I came across this book and decided to read it out of curiosity: I was an adult when the Dear Canada series was published so these passed me by, though I'm sure I would have devoured them if they'd been featured in a book order back in my school days. Being Canadian, I thought a book about when we became a country officially would be a good read, and a quick read since it's middle grade fiction. Both were true! Bradford cleverly avoided the obvious trap so many authors of historical fiction fall into (especially for young readers): there's no scene where Rosie somehow meets and interacts with the famous historical figures of the day. While exciting, not very realistic for a young Irish-Canadian maid. Placing Rosie in the household of a civil servant was a great way to bring in the political machinations of Confederation without being overdone. Rosie is curious about Confederation as she overhears it constantly in the conversations of the adults around her, so she pays attention while still being a typical girl of her era. It reminded me a bit of how I remember the Gulf War, being Rosie's age when that happened. It was something adults talked about and was explained at school, but not part of my daily experience or cares. The book is far more about her settling into her new job and home, away from her family for the first time, and making friends with other working children and getting to know her employers. I liked the descriptions of the first Canada Day celebrations; they haven't changed too much over the last 150+ years!

[LobsterQuadrille · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is a cute entry in the Dear Canada series, but not very focused on the topic of the Confederation of Canada. It's more accurately described as "The Maidservant Diary of Rosie Dunn". It's an enjoyable look at what the life of a working class girl could have been like in 1860s Ottawa. I'm not sure how realistic it is though. Rosie's employers are very nice, but I suspect it would have been thought improper for the upper class to be so "familiar" with their servants.
Fortunately Rosie's narrative voice is pleasant and believable, and the daily life of the household is entertaining enough on its own. I especially liked any of the animals' antics. It's a nice and fairly light story even if it's not the most hard-hitting and realistic.

[Elsa Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro muy bonito en formato de diario acerca de la fundación de canadá como pais independiente. Además de adentrarte en la vida de una chica de 1866, se das una idea de como era la vida en esos años.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very good read for a person from about 10 to teen. I love how it is so
realistic and easy to follow. The Dear Canada series is definately recommended.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about my hometown when it was still a small lumber town!

[Brook]

It was good and historical. I look forward to reading more on the series of Dear Canada

[Hannah]

*for project development for Canadian history survey course

- contender, good for major event from peripheral perspective, local history angle

[Evangeline Mably · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging storytelling and a great way to learn about Canada!