All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts

Dear Canada

by Jean Little

After her father dies, Abby and her family move west to live with relatives who run a hotel in the mining town of Frank, Alberta. Abby keeps busy helping out at the hotel, being chief caregiver to her little brother with Down Syndrome, and learning Morse code at the telegraph office.

When the devastating Frank Slide buries much of the town, Abby must do all she can to help. But a long-buried family secret emerged just before the disaster — and now she will have to wait for the dust to settle before getting the answers she so desperately wants.

Inspired by two of her own relatives, one who helped run a telegraph office in the late 1800s and another who shares Abby's story (and her family secret), Jean Little crafts a compelling story rich with emotion and historical detail.

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

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Jean Little is a Canadian author, born in Taiwan. Her work has mainly consisted of children's literature, but she has also written two autobiographies: Little by Little and Stars Come Out Within. Little has been partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and is frequently accompanied by a guide dog.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always or at least generally do much enjoy the Dear Canada series of fictional but solidly based on Canadian history diaries, and this comparatively recent instalment (hailing from 2014) regarding Alberta's infamous Frank Slide titled All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts is once again delightfully engaging (as well as nicely enlightening) and that Abby Roberts is a both loveable and equally so an astutely observant narrator, or rather diarist (and yes indeed, Jean Little really does have a talent for giving authentic, believable voices to her characters, and not to mention that I also hugely enjoy how Little always and with balance presents not only doom and gloom, that she shows both joy and sorrow, as simply dwelling on the negative, on the horrid, could so very easily happen with a story such as All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts, with these kinds of thematics and plot-lines).

Now I do have to admit that when I first started reading All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts, I originally did think that Abby Roberts' back story seemed perhaps just a bit overly sensationalist and almost somewhat unbelievable, but no indeed, this actually seems to be based on a historic and therefore truthful scenario from Jean Little's own family history. One of Little's ancestors arrived in Canada as a young orphan, a toddler, whose entire family had perished during an outbreak of shipboard cholera en route, and as there was no one to claim her, the child was brought home from the ship by a kindhearted stranger and adopted into his family, never recalling her original name or anything about her birth family (and considering that disease and generally horrible, unhygienic conditions were prevalent and common on emigrant ships, this likely happened far more often than one would care to consider). And with detailed historical background information at the back of All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts (which is of course and delightfully part and parcel to the entire Dear Canada series and always very much personally appreciated) and an equally informative and poignant author's note (and that yes indeed, I especially appreciate Jean Little explaining how it came to pass that she chose to include a character with Down Syndrome in All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts, that it occurred because a reader, a fan, had suggested this to her), All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts is very highly recommended, is evocatively informative and sweetly recounted, with pathos, with very much love and tenderness of feeling.

[Ishi · Rating 5 out of 5]

i distinctly remember reading this tattered ass book from my musty elementary school library and just because of that im giving it 5 stars idc idc

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I've been rediscovering my love for Dear Canada the last little while and this very much gives me cause to continue that revisit. I spoiled the "twist" by reading the ending which was disappointing but I feel like I would have figured it out without the spoil because not all of the hints were subtle. I also agree with other reviewers who say that they wish it focused more on the landslide. When reading the back was quite surprised to find that I had so much book to read before then. I would have liked it more if it happened within the first thirty pages and then dealt with the aftermath but nonetheless I did enjoy it and recommend others to read it.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Jean Little, Dear Canadian novels & I have read some of her children's ones as well. I read them for history as seen through the eyes of a child /preteen/ teenager, depending on the novel. History is written by adults, but reading it from a young person's account is very rewarding on getting the whole picture.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this entire book in 2 hours because I wanted to know the family secret. By the time I got that far,I shrugged and thought I might as well finish it. I liked Abby and Davy and found her sister and especially her brother to be very cruel, though her sister at least started redeeming herself after they'd had chicken pox. I think her brother started drinking because of the way their father treated them and wouldn't be surprised to find the father was physically abusive as well, even if that would only be by today's thinking. But it was a very good story.

[Shanelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this latest book that is a part of the Dear Canada series, All Fall Down is about a young girl named Abby, who moves with her family to Frank, Alberta, after an incident involving her father.
During the family's travels, as well as after their move, Abby learns more about who she is, as well as who her family is. Even through rough times, including during the landslide, Abby is bought closer to her family and friends at Frank, all while recording such events in her diary.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Jean Little's fifth book in the Dear Canada series and an emotional tale probably best aimed at the older end of the recommended 8-12 age group. However, I found it somewhat different than the other books I've read in this series. The book isn't really about the Frank Slide; instead it is a story of a family with its own plot set against the historical setting where the Frank slide tragedy comes as the climax. The story deals with some excellent emotional topics. Starting with the death of the father, the family that no longer has a "head of the household" moves across the country to live with relatives. The father was a brutish man, not physically, but no one greatly misses him and other topics deeply running through the book include adoption, downs syndrome and a young girl running off with a philanderer. All of this is set against the background of a 1900s Alberta coal mining town and details the mindset of that time period. A lovely story.

[JennLynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and researched as all Jean Little's books are. This one tells the story of Abby who, along with her mother and siblings, move to Frank, Alberta when her father is killed. Abby's story is interesting, as she is responsible for her younger brother who has Down's Syndrome, and eventually discovers she was adopted as a small child. The disappointing part of the book is that the event it is supposedly about - the Frank Landslide of 1903 - plays a very minor role in the book. It doesn't even occur until page 144! I would have liked to read more about that and less about Abby and her brother.

[Annalissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was my second time reading this book after reading it years ago as a teen and I quite enjoyed it.
Jean Little has an easy-to-read writing style and often writes about left-behind, forgotten or
"different" characters, such as Abby's little brother having Downs Syndrome. After constantly reading books about "normal" people, its always enjoyable to see a different side.

Of course, it is a middle-grade book, so it can be a little juvenile at times, and I can't say I always agree with 12yo Abby's thoughts and emotions, but its still a quick, entertaining read.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was able to figure out the big secret early on, but others I’ve spoken to said it came as a surprise to them. One thing that bothered me was how the diary was full of premonitions about Turtle Mountain. The author’s note had a bit of unnecessary commentary in it and I found the section on Down Syndrome a little awkward. There are other things I would say about the book, but will omit so as to not give anything away.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This latest Dear Canada diary focuses not only on the historic Frank Slide in 1902 Alberta, but touches on the life of a young girl who is devoted to the care of her young brother with Down’s Syndrome. She struggles with secrets surrounding her family, prejudice, and guilt over her feeling about her father who dies leaving them with nothing. This dramatic story will appeal to girls ages eight to 12, who like real-life fiction

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm happy to finally see Alberta represented in the Dear Canada lineup, and in general I thought this book was well enough written to introduce children to the events surrounding the Frank Slide (which is, after all, what it's mostly meant for). However, the adoption subplot (actually, it was almost the main plot) was so painfully obvious that I was constantly rolling my eyes at Abby for not figuring it out sooner. So many blatant hints are dropped that I'd caught on by about the third page.

[Carilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book primarily because we are planing on visiting Frank, Alberta this summer. It was an insightful look into this terrible natural disaster within the cultural context of 1903. I enjoyed the way Jean Little also addressed some other issues of the day, like a little brother with Downs Syndrome, and how that was perceived and dealt with in those days. Also, a really interesting twist in the story involving Abby Roberts herself. All in all a great read for Grade 3-5 student.

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favourite part was when Abby's brother survived. The worst part was when the avalanche happened. My favourite character was Abby because she refused to go to her friend's party because Bird said that her grandfather said the mountain would walk soon. There was no worst character. Auryn 12 years old, 2015

[Shanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Little is one of my favourite authors and she did not disappoint with "All Fall Down". I really enjoyed reading this book and am quite happy about Little's decision on inclusivity (see 'About the Author'). Definitely recommend giving this a read, especially if you're interested in Canada's history.

[Ashley-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story in this book and it was interesting learning about the Frank landslide. I do wish there'd been more of a focus on the landslide itself though, it kind of comes as an afterthought. It would have been interesting to see more of the aftermath.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author spaced out the main events so that the reader wouldn't get bored of the everyday entries.

[Rhys · Rating 2 out of 5]

So good!! Awesome book! I loved it

[Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, but I think I've read so many dear Canada books that they get predictable.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review to Come!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geological/mining disaster and Dear Canada? One of the stronger additions to the series.

[Meaghan Steeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot how much I loved this story and the characters. Jean Little is one of the best writers in the whole world and a national treasure for Canada.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books starts just as Abby's father dies in a workplace accident. Abby's mother is then informed that her husband was in debt. After sending word to her brother asking if she and her 4 children could come stay with his family, who runs a successful hotel in Frank, Alberta, Abby's mother begins selling off the majority of their possessions and, eventually, their house in Quebec in order to cover all the debts and the cost of tickets for the family to go to Frank.

Abby is the odd child out, though in the beginning she has no idea as to why. She has an older Brother and sister as well as a younger brother with special needs. She is charged with looking after her younger brother since birth, he was born feet first and blue. He has a heart defect and I think Down's Syndrome just to add to the complications of being oxygen deprived at birth. At least that what it presents as to me and my limited knowledge. Anyhow, Abby's mother refused and continues to refuse everyone's urging to place him in a home for the disabled. Between her and Abby (who seems to be the primary caregiver) Davie is well looked after.

After many days aboard the train, they arrive and meet their Uncle, Aunt and older cousin Mark. They are all completely welcomed into the family and work along side their relatives cooking, cleaning and generally running the hotel.

this goes on for sometime with Abby learning her true family history and why her older brother and sister act to oddly towards her. When the Frank Slide buries a large section on the town, Abby and her family are mostly spared and you get a fragmented, yet fairly detailed description of what happened, what the family did to help their neighbors, the evacuation and return to Frank. In the Epilogue you learn the shocking truth of how mining of the mountain resumed and stayed operating for another two years before the operation near the town was closed down.

So what did I think?

I liked it. This Dear Canada had another element running through its under tone, the mystery of Abby. You usually don't get another line of interest in Dear Canada books other then what the book is written to portray, so it was refreshing. You also don't see too many books where the father figure is not well regarded by the young narrator.

It definitely has educational value, but the well written story doesn't just portray a historical event. It has a bit of intrigue and mystery in it. Definitely a step up from the usual Dear Canada books.

[Cherie - ELA Teacher Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jean Little’s fictitious story woven amongst nonfiction historical events provides an enormous amount of insight into the way life was for children growing up in the very early 1900’s. We All Fall Down follows the life of a young girl, Abby, who was uprooted from her home in Montreal, Ontario after the death of her father. As she and her remaining family make their trek across Canada to Frank, Alberta it becomes clear that the family dynamic is slightly askew. While Davy is really her brother, Abby has taken on a parenting role with him. Between arriving at Frank and the devastation of the Frank Slide, Abby slowly starts to become aware of hidden secrets regarding her past. As she navigates the clues to her past, she also remains close to young Davy. Her relationship with her other two siblings also change in very meaningful ways as they all aim for the truths to be discovered.

Character Development:
Character development is key in this novel due to the format in which it is written. It is put together as an ongoing diary kept by Abby, the protagonist. We see all of the other characters through the lens of a young girl as she tells her story. Abby’s relationship with her siblings, while difficult for the protagonist, show Abby’s forgiving nature.

At no point does the plot lag or lose its appeal. Written as a novel most suited for middle-schoolers, readers of all ages won’t be able to help being intrigued by Abby’s diary.

Main Themes:
Dealing with loss
Recovering from difficult situations
Natural disaster
Bildungsroman

Last words:
This novel is a must-read for anyone who visits the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre while exploring the Crow Nest Pass. It was during my own visit where I came across this novel in the gift shop and knew I absolutely needed to read it. Happy Reading.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. I think Davy’s and Abby’s relationship draws me most to this book. I have a little sister who is handicapped and I am very protective of her too, and I identified with Abby well because of that. There is a mention of a young man kissing servant girls; a euphemism or two; and when the landslide happens Abby (who is in shock) gets dressed in the crowded hotel hall. It was also kind of complicated with a harsh father and some nasty attitudes, but I liked John and Olivia after a while, when they became nicer. And Mark was really sweet. In short, this isn’t my favourite Dear Canada book, but it’s pretty good, and my sister really likes it—so my indifference to it might be merely personal inclinations.

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “Today was April Fool’s Day. I tricked Mother. I told her what was left of the snow had all melted away in the night. 
“She went to the window and pulled the curtain back.
“‘[Y]ou’re right, Abby,’ she said. 
“I ran to look and as I came up behind her, she swung around and said, ‘April Fool yourself, Miss.’”
“You can’t tell your mother not to be a smart aleck, but I was tempted.”

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Ms. Little.... crying on page 6. It's been awhile since a book in this series took off with such a bang. From beginning to end this story was nothing but twists and turns. I couldn't put it down. There was so much going on. To be fair the landslide itself takes up only a small part of the book and yet the action never stops. I loved the characters. Even the ones you weren't necessarily supposed to start out liking. It covered aspects of family life that anyone could relate to but also put it in context of social history of 1902-3 showing us how vastly different these everyday dynamics would be treated. I would say Jean Little's installments in this series are probably my favourites. This one, picked up on a whim at bookstore, is probably one of the best books from the series.

If you haven't read it, read it! Now what you waiting for.
If you have read it, read it again.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The family dynamics are quite interesting here. It’s not often there’s honest interpersonal drama that is not only complicated, but grey as hell.

I also like the way tension and dread built up through this story, since it wasn’t written in the obvious way. Little’s character POV was spot on and you could feel her character enjoying the life she was building…and that made it tense to read, since we the reader KNOW it’s going to crash down. All these nice people are introduced, and the very sad worry of ‘are they going to die?’ Is always wiggling away at the back of your head. I fully admit, having been to what remains of Frank and knowing what’s left, it hit me harder than it probably would have if I hadn’t been there.

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dear Canada series is aimed at elementary aged children and explores Canadian history in a journal-style format. I love these books and read every single one that my library had, when I was a kid.
Dear Canada: All Fall Down: The Landslide Diary of Abby Roberts is set around the historical landslide at Frank, Alberta in 1903. One of the reasons that I love Dear Canada books is because they give the child’s perspective. There is more emotion and wonder at the historical events, than adult facts about what happened. Abby, the protagonist of All Fall Down, is right in the middle of the action when the landslide happens. She has to find everyone she knows, while helping people and taking care of her little brother.
I highly recommend the Dear Canada series in its entirety. All Fall Down is set close to Lethbridge (and even mentions Lethbridge a couple of times in the book), which makes it uniquely special.

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good DC book. I appreciated the empathetic portrayal of disabilities and the way the main character treats her Indigenous friend (a lot better than some people would at the time, I think, which is nice!) I learned quite a bit about the landslide, which I appreciated. I also think that there's some heavy-handed hinting about a dark family secret, which was a little annoying, but then I remembered the intended audience and felt better about it.

[Adra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating of 4.5 stars.

I picked All Fall Down on a whim at a book store, wanting to take a jog down memory lane; I used to read Dear Canada books often during my middle school years. I always thought Dear Canada’s were super well written and extremely captivating, and this book was no exception. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.