Dear Canada: A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary, Ireland to Canada East, 1847

Dear Canada

by Norah McClintock

In the midst of the Irish famine, Johanna flees one disaster - only to land in another.

After a massive potato famine strikes Ireland, thirteen-year-old Johanna Leary flees to Canada with her family.

But typhus and other illnesses plague the "coffin ships," so named for the staggering number of immigrants who died enroute. One by one Johanna loses the members of her family - first her baby brother on the journey over, then her mother in the Grosse Isle fever sheds where sick passengers are quarantined when they reach the port of Québec, and her father soon after. Johanna has only her brother Michael left when she sets foot on Canadian soil.

When her brother is mistakenly told that she too has died, he sets off to find their uncle "somewhere in Canada," leaving Johanna to face a new life in a strange land... totally alone.

A Sea of Sorrows captures a dreadful time in history for those desperate, impoverished Irish families who hoped to make Canada their home. Johanna's incredible journey of survival is told with insight and sensitivity by master storyteller Norah McClintock.

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

131 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Norah McClintock’s fascinating mysteries are hard to put down. Her Chloe & Levesque series, Mike & Riel series, and Robyn Hunter series, all published by Scholastic Canada, have been popular with readers in many countries. Norah has also written several crime novels for reluctant readers in the Orca Soundings series from Orca Book Publishers,

Norah is a five-time winner of the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel. Read Mistaken Identity, The Body in the Basement, Sins of the Father, Scared to Death, and Break and Enter to find out why! Norah's books have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and she has won numerous awards.

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award - Juvenile
o 1996 – Mistaken Identity – Winner
o 1998 – The Body in the Basement – Winner
o 1999 – Sins of the Father – Winner
o 2002 – Scared to Death – Winner
o 2003 – Break and Enter – Winner

Red Maple Award
o 2004 – Hit and Run – Winner

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like with all of the Dear Canada series, Norah McClintock’s A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary presents a fictional journal (narrated by main protagonist and diarist Johanna Leary, and yes, presenting a very much painful and saddening account of the Leary family leaving Ireland for Canada in 1847 to escape the ravages of the Irish Potato Famine, but how on the sea voyage to Canada, to Montreal, there is an outbreak of typhus on board which sickens and kills most members of young Johanna’s family).

And while A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary, while Johanna’s journal writing is indeed often rather depressing and what some reviewers have also chosen to criticise as being perhaps a bit overly much misery and doom, considering the historical reality of the Irish Potato Famine causing millions of deaths and that thousands upon thousands of Irish emigrants also did perish either on route to North America or soon after arrival (and mostly due to disease), I for one am glad that Norah McClintock has not decided to in any manner sugar-coat A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary with untrue and artificial words of light and optimism (and that while at the end of A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary, Johanna experiences both joy and hope, her road there has been described as being realistically difficult, rocky and often devoid of joy).

Highly recommended for its stark and no holds barred so to speak realism is A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary (and with young Johanna being a not only delightful but also in every way believable diarist, with a voice that first and foremost feels age appropriate, not Johanna speaking like Norah McClintock, but rather the latter, the author writing and speaking like a twelve year old girl). And yes, my only reasons for ranking A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary with three and not yet with four stars is that for one, I would have liked to have experienced Johanna’s reunion with her brother Michael within the text proper of A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary and not relegated to the epilogue, and for two, I also think that the teaching and learning value of A Sea of Sorrows: The Typhus Epidemic Diary of Johanna Leary would be considerably increased if the non fiction supplemental historical information section were to also include a list of books for further study and research (and yes, this would of course and naturally pertain to all of the Dear Canada books).

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the BEST books in this series. It was surprising for me to find that McClintock, famous for her YA mysteries and thrillers, was the author. This is her first historical fiction and her reason and connection to the genre is explained in the author's note; I certainly hope she offers us more. This is a story of the Irish Potato Famine from boarding the ship until one year later in Canada. The book takes place first on the ship then in Montreal and finally ends in Sherbrooke. The book concentrates on the devastating hardships the Irish faced during this time when they turned to Canada for a new life and instead found disease, death and profound prejudice. Johanna tells her story as she struggles with losing her family, working as a servant and being called lazy, filth to her face. The book is suited for the upper age range of this series as it is powerful and deals heavily with death, of children, over and over. Irish literature is often known for its moroseness and McClintock has followed suit with this story. The ending makes the tough going worth the read though. A well-written, emotional period piece.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good look at the discrimination the Irish faced, which seems to be forgotten in the list of people who have been discriminated against in history.

[Valerie Cotnoir · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Da had always supposed that everything would be different across the ocean. But I am beginning to think that things are a misery for the least fortunate no matter where they may find themselves."

This is definitely one of the best Dear Canadas I've read so far! I read half of it during our stay in Montreal for Christmas last year and once I realized I wouldn't be able to borrow it from my cousin's library to finish it this past summer (since the border was still closed and we couldn't visit) I immediately bought it off Amazon so I could finally finish it! I have to admit, I liked the first half a lot more than the second half, but overall, it was still an incredible story. Johanna was spunky, headstrong and loved her family fiercely. Her voyage to Canada was tragic, but she was still determined to remain strong for herself and her brother. I also learned a lot about how the Irish were viewed and treated in East Canada during this time. While I was saddened by the prejudice many Canadians had toward the Irish, it was all the more encouraging when people treated Johanna respectfully and lovingly, the way she deserved. One of the reasons I didn't like the last half as much as the first half was because there was no real climax. The one I was anticipating, being reunited with her brother, never happened, making the story fall flat a bit. I loved that she had a sweet moment with her friend from the voyage at the end and how he had never stopped looking for...but I was really disappointed that we didn't see her reunion with her brother. It ended with the friend coming to take her to her new home where she would eventually see her brother, but I really wanted to experience that moment in a diary entry since I'd waited the whole book for it! I was also saddened by the way she had to leave the family she'd been staying with, though it made sense. However, even with these things in mind, I think Johanna is one of my favorite Dear Canada characters. Her personal growth was inspiring, but she was also just really relatable. I can't imagine the amount of courage it must take to move to a foreign country, be treated like dirt and fight to survive. This book gave me a taste of what it took and I think that's why it's left such an impression on me.

"Besides, she added, I was alone in the world, and that wasn't right."

[Young Adult Historical Vault · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why not just call it "Unrelenting Misery" and be done with it? Not a bad book, but it lacks a certain emotional depth and affect that would push it into a higher rating. The first edition also suffers from some signs that it was poorly edited and not all that well, which doesn't help the feeling that it was rushed out by the publisher. A fascinating topic, but one that isn't well served by this treatment.

For my full review including spoilers, check out Young Adult Historical Vault. https://yahistoricalvault.com/2017/05...

[Shanelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sea of Sorrows is yet another book from the Dear Canada series about a girl named Johanna Leary, who travels with her family from Ireland to Canada during the famine. This story reflects the family's struggles as they endure a gruelling travel experience aboard a ship which harbours a fever known as the Typhus epidemic. Can Johanna and her family survive this epidemic and find their known relative, Johanna's uncle, who lives in Canada?

[Shanelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favourites from the Dear Canada series because the author goes into such detail about the Irish Potato Famine and how it relates to Canadian history. Not only do we learn about life in Ireland at that time, we are able to imagine the journey families like the Leary's had to take, to come to Canada. We also get a further understanding of the struggles that those individuals had once they arrived. Therefore this is a must read if you are a fan of the series.

[Kristal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great edition to the Dear Canada series; this diary tells of Johanna, who faces incredible tragedy when emigrating to Canada with her family after the Potato famine in Ireland. I never realized how detrimental this famine was- and still is- to Irish people. What really shocked me is how the population of Ireland today is STILL not what it was from the mid 1800s! It makes me want to learn more about this part of history.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories of people living among epidemics and pandemics. I have a couple small complaints. There was a typo on the very first page and in the historical note a picture was used twice. One character had the same name as someone in Titanic.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great jr. fiction novel. Historical fiction is great.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

So touching and inspirational, truly amazed on how well it was written.

[kiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME but also sad. it is a very good book

[Susan Zuidema · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad...

[Hana H]

this book is amazing but for those of you that don't like tragic deaths involving sickness I suggest u don't read this book! rate 9/10

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sad but one of the best books in this series!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book to read!! Sad, but some relief from sorrow interspersed. Rich history.

[Meaghan Steeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic. Depressing of course, but I enjoyed this a lot more the second time around.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite well written, with a well flowing narrative with a distinct character voice.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t like it the subject wasn’t very interesting I like the Dear Canada books, but this one didn’t hit it off for me couldn’t finish.

[Megan]

I enjoyed, even though the ending felt a bit predictable and abrupt.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Brooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s tragically official that the Potato Famine isn’t my favorite historical topic. I’m going to read other historical books instead.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series to get younger readers interested in history.

[Katja Labonté · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars & 3/10 hearts. I was a little wary about this book because it was about Irish and an epidemic, but it was much better than I expected. It wasn’t too gruesome, although I could have done without a sentence or two. There was a scene where Johanna thinks a death is foretold (and proves it to herself when someone dies), some Catholicism, and several mentions of fairies. But I loved Da, and Connor and Tommy were very interesting.

A Favourite Quote: “Da says ‘if only’ is easy to say but difficult to predict.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “My first reflection is this: I must pay far more attention to the task at hand when I am ironing, for heated irons are dangerous things. It is easy to burn a hand … out of carelessness[.] It is easier still to drop a heated iron onto the ground, where it could all upon (or, in my case, narrowly miss) the foot of some good sister who is going about her business. Also, it is astonishingly easy to let a hot iron linger a little too long upon an article of clothing or a crisp little sheet when the ironer (me) gets caught up in relating a story to another girl, and thus to leave a scald mark or even to burn the article right the way through. The sister in charge of the laundry said that we all learn best from our mistakes, but I can tell she does not relish having to report the loss of an otherwise perfectly good piece of linen.”

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slowly I've been working my way through the parts of this series that I didn't read as a teen. If I could give a small warning to children that might be picking up this one... it's a heavy one. The author skillfully shows us a story that combines a medical epidemic and prejudice. It's beautifully written but is full of sorrow, loss and injustice. I could not put it down. It is a shorter installment but I read it all in about two sittings over 24 hrs. I loved it 😍
If you haven't read it, READ IT!
If you have read it, read it again.

[Cézanne P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vraiment bien écrit. Mes attentes étaient très basses, et le livre les a énormément surpassée. Les maladies et les causes des hauts taux de mortalité m'intriguent depuis longtemps. Je n'avait jamais pensé que ça pouvait être aussi éprouvant. Johanna est extrêmement attachante. Je n'aurait jamais pensé donner 5 étoiles à un livre portant sur l'histoire. Wow.

[Rose Alpert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. So far have only read 2 of the Dear Canada, and they seem a bit grimmer, and thus more realistic, than their Dear America counterparts; they also include an epilogue. Very good book.

[Saffy 🍉 · Rating 2 out of 5]

That was THE MOST depressing book I've ever read

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

[Ellie Gaidai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book through and through. Beautifully written and enjoyable.