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Dear Canada
Cher Journal : Adieu, ma patrie: Angélique Richard, fille d'Acadie, Grand-Pré, Acadie, 1755
En 1755, les conflits entre Français et Britanniques mènent à la déportation des Acadiens. Angélique Richard nous ouvre son journal personnel, où elle décrit quotidiennement les événements qui ont marqué ce triste chapitre de l'histoire canadienne.
Angélique Richard's life is turned upside down when she and her family, along with the people of Grand-Pré, are forced by the British to leave their peaceful home in Acadia. Will she ever see her home again?
Origina title: Banished from Our Home
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2004
About the author
Sharon Stewart
48 books48 followersI grew up and was educated in Vancouver, British Columbia. I am a writer and editor, and spent most of my career in educational publishing. I have lived in Spain and also in China, where I taught English as a second language, and have published articles about my experiences in China in newspapers across Canada. I am the author of nine novels, several of them historical fiction. I have also published a book of short stories and biographies of Louis Riel and Norman Bethune. I currently live in Toronto, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 2, 2017
My gut reaction is a visceral "Gaaah! I pity the poor child who was given this to read."
*But I must be more tempered, more fair, says my inside voice.*
So -- here it is, my tempered, trying-to-be-fair-without-choking-on-it voice.
This book is from the Dear Canada series, aimed at middle school children, a series designed to teach adolescents aspects of Canadian history, in smaller bites.
Through the eyes of Angélique Richard, the children learn of the Acadian diaspora, or The Great Upheaval, Le Grand Dérangement, as it was to be known later: the expulsion, by the British, of the Acadian people, from what is today our maritime provinces. Out of 14,000 Acadians living in the area, over 11,00 were deported to what-was-then the Thirteen Colonies, essentially the states encompassing the eastern seaboard of North America.
I find the language stilted and ... grandiloquent ... really, when it comes down to it, quite out of keeping with how a little Acadian girl would have thought, it seems to me. I don't see how children, of any age, and from any age, can really connect with Angélique. While she is portrayed as a child who does every day chores of an 18th century peasant, and has every day concerns of 18th century border town/frontier life, she sounds more like she was employed in the Court of Marie-Antoinette as a privileged Lady-in-Waiting. Wrong language, wrong tone, even if the history is more-or-less correct.
Perhaps -- only perhaps -- children may connect with this book, but if they do, it does them no great service for it skews the Canadian consciousness: it makes it feel so much more polished than it was, and so much less frightful overall. In my experience children are quite comfortable with the "blood and guts" of history; in fact, they seem to revel in it; and they like to hear of history through the blood-and-sweat of their ancestors, not the white-washed versions of mealy-mouthed little maidens.
But ... BUT ... OK, I concede it does offer at least an introductory view into the diaspora, and may do it on non-threatening terms so that the children will not be terrorized into adulthood when reading this. That's the best I can offer for fairness.
It holds none of the ring of a Little House series, for instance, which introduced millions of young Americans (and millions around the world) to the hardships of pioneering days. This is more of a boudoir book for privileged pre-teens, if such a term can exist.
*But I must be more tempered, more fair, says my inside voice.*
So -- here it is, my tempered, trying-to-be-fair-without-choking-on-it voice.
This book is from the Dear Canada series, aimed at middle school children, a series designed to teach adolescents aspects of Canadian history, in smaller bites.
Through the eyes of Angélique Richard, the children learn of the Acadian diaspora, or The Great Upheaval, Le Grand Dérangement, as it was to be known later: the expulsion, by the British, of the Acadian people, from what is today our maritime provinces. Out of 14,000 Acadians living in the area, over 11,00 were deported to what-was-then the Thirteen Colonies, essentially the states encompassing the eastern seaboard of North America.
I find the language stilted and ... grandiloquent ... really, when it comes down to it, quite out of keeping with how a little Acadian girl would have thought, it seems to me. I don't see how children, of any age, and from any age, can really connect with Angélique. While she is portrayed as a child who does every day chores of an 18th century peasant, and has every day concerns of 18th century border town/frontier life, she sounds more like she was employed in the Court of Marie-Antoinette as a privileged Lady-in-Waiting. Wrong language, wrong tone, even if the history is more-or-less correct.
Perhaps -- only perhaps -- children may connect with this book, but if they do, it does them no great service for it skews the Canadian consciousness: it makes it feel so much more polished than it was, and so much less frightful overall. In my experience children are quite comfortable with the "blood and guts" of history; in fact, they seem to revel in it; and they like to hear of history through the blood-and-sweat of their ancestors, not the white-washed versions of mealy-mouthed little maidens.
But ... BUT ... OK, I concede it does offer at least an introductory view into the diaspora, and may do it on non-threatening terms so that the children will not be terrorized into adulthood when reading this. That's the best I can offer for fairness.
It holds none of the ring of a Little House series, for instance, which introduced millions of young Americans (and millions around the world) to the hardships of pioneering days. This is more of a boudoir book for privileged pre-teens, if such a term can exist.
May 2, 2026
Albeit the first time I read Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard (in 2005, a year after publication and thus also years before I joined Goodreads) I both totally enjoyed my reading experience and was also very much emotionally touched and infuriated by the contents of author Sharon Stewart’s presented text (by main protagonist Angélique Richard’s fictional Dear Canada diary detailing her family’s deportation by the British from Acadia and their immense suffering both at sea and later) and equally so rather majorly pleased that especially Governor Charles Lawrence was being depicted by Stewart (writing as Angélique) throughout Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard as the vile and bigoted monster he obviously and totally was (not to mention that the expulsion and deportation of the Acadians was being described in Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard as an absolute and all-encompassing war crime specifically and horribly deliberately targeting citizens, with thankfully no attempt made by Sharon Stewart to textually either attempt to excuse or in any manner mitigate what happened), rereading Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard in 2026 has not really been all that engaging and actually majorly, hugely frustrating.
And no, this lack of reading enthusiasm and pleasure is actually NOT AT ALL because I have somehow changed my mind with regard to the thematics and the factual contents of Angélique Richard's journal entries but mostly because on my second read of Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard I am continuously noticing and becoming textually aware of how Angélique’s tone of narrative voice just does not sound all that authentic, that her fictional diary is simply not reading for me like the musings and words of a twelve year old girl but more like an adult trying to sound like a girl but not really succeeding all that well. In other words, while the contents of Sharon Stewart’s text for Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard do still feel realistic and believable with regard to the features historical and factual considerations (and authenticity), the way in which Stewart has Angélique Richard tell her story, the manner in which the tone of her narrative voice is presented in the fictional journal entries, this just does not feel real, this just does not feel for me as though I am truly reading a young Acadian girl’s feelings and innermost thoughts. Therefore, while if I had posted a review for Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard in 2005, I would without hesitation have rated this instalment of the Dear Canada series of fictional with four stars (but not with five stars, as even in 2005 I was annoyed that the supplemental historical details sections of the Dear Canada books do not include bibliographies with suggestions for further reading and research), I can and will only consider a very low three stars now, as yes, the too adult sounding narration of Angélique Richard’s fictional diary has most definitely quite lessened my reading pleasure.
And no, this lack of reading enthusiasm and pleasure is actually NOT AT ALL because I have somehow changed my mind with regard to the thematics and the factual contents of Angélique Richard's journal entries but mostly because on my second read of Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard I am continuously noticing and becoming textually aware of how Angélique’s tone of narrative voice just does not sound all that authentic, that her fictional diary is simply not reading for me like the musings and words of a twelve year old girl but more like an adult trying to sound like a girl but not really succeeding all that well. In other words, while the contents of Sharon Stewart’s text for Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard do still feel realistic and believable with regard to the features historical and factual considerations (and authenticity), the way in which Stewart has Angélique Richard tell her story, the manner in which the tone of her narrative voice is presented in the fictional journal entries, this just does not feel real, this just does not feel for me as though I am truly reading a young Acadian girl’s feelings and innermost thoughts. Therefore, while if I had posted a review for Banished From Our Homes: The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard in 2005, I would without hesitation have rated this instalment of the Dear Canada series of fictional with four stars (but not with five stars, as even in 2005 I was annoyed that the supplemental historical details sections of the Dear Canada books do not include bibliographies with suggestions for further reading and research), I can and will only consider a very low three stars now, as yes, the too adult sounding narration of Angélique Richard’s fictional diary has most definitely quite lessened my reading pleasure.
January 1, 2017
Where were these books when I was 10?
April 2, 2009
Twelve-year-old Angelique Richard has lived her whole life on her family's farm in Grand-Pre, Acadia, as part of a large, loving family. But the year is 1755, and life for everyone in Acadia is about to change forever. The British government has been imposing more and more restrictions on the Acadian people, due to the war with the French. Although the Acadians wish to remain neutral, the British refuse to trust them. Angelique's father and many of the other men are thrown in jail for signing a petition in protest of this unfair treatment, and even worse is to come for the people of Grand-Pre. Angelique describes this all in her diary, first telling of everyday life -- doing chores, going to church, fun times with her brothers, sisters, and cousins -- and then the difficulties she faces as the British impose more restrictions on her people, culminating in the unjustified deportation of her people, and Angelique's struggle to retain hope in the heartbreak that follows.
This book is one of my favorite books from the Dear Canada series. Angelique is a wonderfully real character who brings to life the heartbreaking story of the Acadians and the tragedies they faced during their forced exile from their homelands. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction or who enjoyed previous Dear Canada books.
This book is one of my favorite books from the Dear Canada series. Angelique is a wonderfully real character who brings to life the heartbreaking story of the Acadians and the tragedies they faced during their forced exile from their homelands. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction or who enjoyed previous Dear Canada books.
May 1, 2017
"A terrible thing has happened."
Acadians, as the author notes explain, are the descendants of the first French settlers in North America. This is a book of historical fiction about the deportation of the Acadians by the British from Nova Scotia, in 1755.Written in diary form by young Angelique Richard, it tells of the struggles of a family torn apart by war, to survive as a family, even when forced from their homeland. Angelique's voice through her diary is sometimes one of impatience with her many siblings, and often filled with fear as her family's future in Nova Scotia becomes increasingly uncertain. Throughout the diary, however, one can feel the love this child has for her family, and her intense desire to have everyone she loves safe and together. Wonderful author's notes about the history of the Acadian people at the end.
Great Quotes From This Book:
(pg. 158) "Maman says we still have the most important of the New Year; the feeling of hope and new beginnings. And the end of old grudges and disputes."
*This book got a rating of A- in my Reading Journal. The French phrases made reading a bit difficult, even with the glossary.*
Acadians, as the author notes explain, are the descendants of the first French settlers in North America. This is a book of historical fiction about the deportation of the Acadians by the British from Nova Scotia, in 1755.Written in diary form by young Angelique Richard, it tells of the struggles of a family torn apart by war, to survive as a family, even when forced from their homeland. Angelique's voice through her diary is sometimes one of impatience with her many siblings, and often filled with fear as her family's future in Nova Scotia becomes increasingly uncertain. Throughout the diary, however, one can feel the love this child has for her family, and her intense desire to have everyone she loves safe and together. Wonderful author's notes about the history of the Acadian people at the end.
Great Quotes From This Book:
(pg. 158) "Maman says we still have the most important of the New Year; the feeling of hope and new beginnings. And the end of old grudges and disputes."
*This book got a rating of A- in my Reading Journal. The French phrases made reading a bit difficult, even with the glossary.*
July 29, 2011
I remember this book because it was amazing and I remember it made me cry. This is an excellent historical fiction. It is upsetting because it makes the reader understand just how horrible things were for the Acadians not just in 1755, but also in the years following the deportation.
I highly recommend, but prepare for a little heartbreak.
I highly recommend, but prepare for a little heartbreak.
April 2, 2013
As an Acadian, this is my favorite Dear Canada. It reveals the untold story of the Acadians and the hardships they lived through for no good reason. Even though it is heartbreaking at times, it should be read by everyone who does not already understand the horrors of the Acadian Deportation.
February 18, 2020
Okay, I thought this was going to be better than it was...let me explain.
This is the fictitious diary of the fictitious character in history, Angelique Richard an Acadian girl who likes to complain about her beautiful sister, her one older brother, her younger twin siblings and her chores (which she likes to shirk). Her diary covers the British coming to the colony, imprisoning all the men, then booting all the women and children off their land, taking everything but what the Acadians' can carry. They are all forced on to ship and shipped off to other locations, like Maryland or further south. Families are broken up with no regard and dumped off where ever.
Sounds like a decent read, no? Well, unfortunately it's somehow not.
The first part of the diary is her complaining about her chores (or getting told off for not doing them or being lazy and not doing them properly), complaining about her mother always being on her for not doing her chores, complaining about her beautiful sister being perfect and not being yelled at (because she actually does her chores and properly), her older sister's wedding, and her brother fixing to join some rebels that plan to take on the British in defense of their homes. Pretty much sums it up.
She writes like a well educated girl from a well off family rather than like the daughter of a farmer. Her mother taught her children what she remembers of reading and writing from her childhood, so it stands to reason those two things alone should not make her the great writer she is. It's a bit conflicted, but for the sake of the diary, whatever.
Towards the middle of the book, the older sister is wed and gone, her father is imprisoned, her older brother has run off and our main lady is worrying about her father and brother, complaining about her additional chores now that her older sister is gone, complaining about the twins...yeah. Very meh. Yes you get to learn about some of the things people the 'the olden days' had to do to run a farm, but it's a bit boring, even for an adult. This book is supposed to be for children.
Then there is something like 56 days at sea, which, thank god, she does not write about overly much other than about the sickness, the deaths (glossed over really), the smell, the lack of clean anything, the sitting around doing nothing, etc.
You finally think things are going to pick up when the family finally get off the ship in Maryland. The Acadians are given a house in town, which they have to share and fix up. Then she complains about the chores, the twins, and the worry about her mother finding a job so they can afford things. Fortunately she is reunited with her brother and father. So you think, "Oh good, something must surely happen now that's interesting! How do they survive?" WRONG! End of diary. Epilogue glosses over what happened to the protagonist and then you are into the historical notes and the semi-interesting pictures depicting life of Acadians.
This book should be more gripping than it is. People back then had to work hard to etch out a life of survival. But it's somehow twisted into a comfortable life merely full of chores. People coming and taking your guns, which you need for protection and such should be shocking, but instead it gives you a "uhuh" feeling. Being forced from your home and your pets and your livestock should be heartbreaking, but it was only mildly interesting. I could go on, but you get the point.
This is glossed over, prettied up, dumb-down, meh piece of writing about an interesting part of history. Maybe they did this to 'spare' the children the truth of the hardship of it all. But I say to that, "Dude I was reading books on the Holocaust like Night at 12 years old, I think kids can handle this truth."
Much more could have been done with this book.
This is the fictitious diary of the fictitious character in history, Angelique Richard an Acadian girl who likes to complain about her beautiful sister, her one older brother, her younger twin siblings and her chores (which she likes to shirk). Her diary covers the British coming to the colony, imprisoning all the men, then booting all the women and children off their land, taking everything but what the Acadians' can carry. They are all forced on to ship and shipped off to other locations, like Maryland or further south. Families are broken up with no regard and dumped off where ever.
Sounds like a decent read, no? Well, unfortunately it's somehow not.
The first part of the diary is her complaining about her chores (or getting told off for not doing them or being lazy and not doing them properly), complaining about her mother always being on her for not doing her chores, complaining about her beautiful sister being perfect and not being yelled at (because she actually does her chores and properly), her older sister's wedding, and her brother fixing to join some rebels that plan to take on the British in defense of their homes. Pretty much sums it up.
She writes like a well educated girl from a well off family rather than like the daughter of a farmer. Her mother taught her children what she remembers of reading and writing from her childhood, so it stands to reason those two things alone should not make her the great writer she is. It's a bit conflicted, but for the sake of the diary, whatever.
Towards the middle of the book, the older sister is wed and gone, her father is imprisoned, her older brother has run off and our main lady is worrying about her father and brother, complaining about her additional chores now that her older sister is gone, complaining about the twins...yeah. Very meh. Yes you get to learn about some of the things people the 'the olden days' had to do to run a farm, but it's a bit boring, even for an adult. This book is supposed to be for children.
Then there is something like 56 days at sea, which, thank god, she does not write about overly much other than about the sickness, the deaths (glossed over really), the smell, the lack of clean anything, the sitting around doing nothing, etc.
You finally think things are going to pick up when the family finally get off the ship in Maryland. The Acadians are given a house in town, which they have to share and fix up. Then she complains about the chores, the twins, and the worry about her mother finding a job so they can afford things. Fortunately she is reunited with her brother and father. So you think, "Oh good, something must surely happen now that's interesting! How do they survive?" WRONG! End of diary. Epilogue glosses over what happened to the protagonist and then you are into the historical notes and the semi-interesting pictures depicting life of Acadians.
This book should be more gripping than it is. People back then had to work hard to etch out a life of survival. But it's somehow twisted into a comfortable life merely full of chores. People coming and taking your guns, which you need for protection and such should be shocking, but instead it gives you a "uhuh" feeling. Being forced from your home and your pets and your livestock should be heartbreaking, but it was only mildly interesting. I could go on, but you get the point.
This is glossed over, prettied up, dumb-down, meh piece of writing about an interesting part of history. Maybe they did this to 'spare' the children the truth of the hardship of it all. But I say to that, "Dude I was reading books on the Holocaust like Night at 12 years old, I think kids can handle this truth."
Much more could have been done with this book.
January 18, 2015
This book tells one of Canada's most tragic tales that brought about the near-extinction of a people through ethnic and religious intolerance, the Expulsion of the Acadians. This is the story of that episode through the eyes of the second eldest daughter of a large family. It is a heartbreaking story of loss and shameful, needless relocation of a people who were not wanted where they came from nor where they were sent. Hated either because they were French or Catholic, or both, the story brings to mind that world issues of today are no different than the ones of the past. A well-written, fast-paced story even though one knows ultimately how it will end due to the title, if one isn't familiar with the history. The book has a heavy atmosphere; I felt sad for the most part with the loss and death, and the ending only gives a bittersweet dose of happiness. The historical details are presented well through the emotional story and I'd say this would make a good introduction to the topic, especially with the historical notes included at the back of the book. I thought I didn't know this author, but taking a look at her backlist of titles, I realize I have read one other of her historical fictions a very long time ago. An emotional entry in the series.
March 20, 2016
Banished from Our Home is one of those books that you can read over and over again and not get bored of the story line. At least, that is the way I feel each time I read it. I enjoy reading this story as I feel the detail in it is quite extensive and the story seems to flow nicely together. The author did a fantastic job in creating a historic setting for all to read about Acadians and their history.
December 31, 2015
Honestly, this book was a bit boring. I enjoy the way the book takes a look at the Acadian culture of Nova Scotia in 1754-1755, a piece of history that was largely lost to the American story. However, the entries lack a sense of coherence and come across in a very dry voice, not reading much like a real diary (I can say this because I keep one!). If you're interested in the region or the time period, though, this book is a good place to start.
May 10, 2016
J'ai lu quelques "cher journal" cet année et je dois dire que cela était le pire des trois. Il est assez bon mais j'ai plus aimé le deux autre que j'ai lu. "Entrée refusé" et "Mes frères au front". J'ai trouvé que celle-ci était un peu plate. Je n'es pas aimé l'histoire autant que les autres. 2.5 étoiles.
May 12, 2016
The Acadian Displacement has always made me very sad, so I was disappointed that I never really connected with this book. I don't know, it may have been the writing style or the stories within the story seemed disjointed somehow? It just didn't leave me feeling the depth of sadness that would come from leaving your home behind. Just me.
September 13, 2009
Not my favorite at all. I did not like this even when I was nine and really into the "Dear Canada" series. Great for info about the Arcadian Expulsion. But the writing was not the best and honesty the facts and the story was a little jarbled.
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March 7, 2021NOSTALGIA ♥️
July 29, 2023
When I first read this book, I thought it was one of the best in the series. Yes, it had its flaws, but I still thought it was great. But when I recently reread it, I'm realizing that this book is more flawed than I remember, and one of the worst ones in the series.
Angélique Richard is easily one of the most annoying protagonists in this collection. The only thing she does is complain and complain about her siblings and chores. Seriously, does this girl have nothing else to do?! Halfway through the book, she realizes she was annoying, so she'll stop complaining. That would be great, but she still complains about everything! And then when the deportation happens, she's sad because she was banished from her home. Which, understandable, and the entries are sad. Except that Angélique has some of the most boring and emotionless writing in existence, so I don't feel sorry for her. Not to mention, she's supposed to be a farm girl, but she sounds like a polished and fancy girl who was raised by royalty instead! Why can't see sound like a girl her age who works in a farm?! Why must she be so refined?! Overall, a boring and annoying protagonist with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
The story is supposed to be emotional and heartbreaking, but Angélique's dull writing ruins it! Putting her writing aside, the story itself is boring. The book is just about the repetitive life Acadians had. Which, I get it, you need to showcase their life before the deportation. But it could have been better executed. Speaking of the deportation, it doesn't happen until over halfway through the book. It would be fine, if it had an ounce of emotion! The deportation happens, Angelique is nearly separated from her family, and yet I don't feel anything! Why? Because the writing and story are dull. Then after not many entries about the ship, they arrive somewhere (I can't remember if it's Maryland or someplace else). A bad thing happens, and the family has to move again. Then they board a ship to a new land. Once they arrive, something unrealistic and positive happens, and you're left wondering: "Oh! What are they gonna do now? I can't wait to read it!" Except that the book just ends and the rest of the Richards life is summarized in the epilogue. Granted, we do see part of Angélique's life in "The Keepsake Box" from "A Season for Miracles", but that story is boring as well.
Do I recommend this book? NO!!! Angélique is an annoying protagonist that has no emotion in her writing, and the story is just dull and repetitive.
Angélique Richard is easily one of the most annoying protagonists in this collection. The only thing she does is complain and complain about her siblings and chores. Seriously, does this girl have nothing else to do?! Halfway through the book, she realizes she was annoying, so she'll stop complaining. That would be great, but she still complains about everything! And then when the deportation happens, she's sad because she was banished from her home. Which, understandable, and the entries are sad. Except that Angélique has some of the most boring and emotionless writing in existence, so I don't feel sorry for her. Not to mention, she's supposed to be a farm girl, but she sounds like a polished and fancy girl who was raised by royalty instead! Why can't see sound like a girl her age who works in a farm?! Why must she be so refined?! Overall, a boring and annoying protagonist with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
The story is supposed to be emotional and heartbreaking, but Angélique's dull writing ruins it! Putting her writing aside, the story itself is boring. The book is just about the repetitive life Acadians had. Which, I get it, you need to showcase their life before the deportation. But it could have been better executed. Speaking of the deportation, it doesn't happen until over halfway through the book. It would be fine, if it had an ounce of emotion! The deportation happens, Angelique is nearly separated from her family, and yet I don't feel anything! Why? Because the writing and story are dull. Then after not many entries about the ship, they arrive somewhere (I can't remember if it's Maryland or someplace else). A bad thing happens, and the family has to move again. Then they board a ship to a new land. Once they arrive, something unrealistic and positive happens, and you're left wondering: "Oh! What are they gonna do now? I can't wait to read it!" Except that the book just ends and the rest of the Richards life is summarized in the epilogue. Granted, we do see part of Angélique's life in "The Keepsake Box" from "A Season for Miracles", but that story is boring as well.
Do I recommend this book? NO!!! Angélique is an annoying protagonist that has no emotion in her writing, and the story is just dull and repetitive.
May 16, 2013
Angélique Richard is a young Acadian girl growing up in a large family of eight children. Angélique notes in her first entry that the eldest brother, Victor has joined the rebel group against the English. He tells her to keep quiet about it or else. She obeys him, but soon goes to talk about her annoying sister, Sausage (her real name is Cécile, but everyone calls her Belle) who is the model of beauty and perfection in so many ways. Then, one night there is a terrible argument between Mousier Richard and Victor. Victor said they must fight the British from taking their homelands, and destroying the Acadian way of life. In a heat, Victor runs away and joins the rebels. But then the events are for the better, the eldest of the Richard's, Catherine, is getting married. She is still quite young, so her mother helps her out. The wedding happens, but then a rude girl, Jehanne wants to take all of the pleasure away from Angélique and gossips about their untidy house. The happier entries come to an end when Mousier Richard is taken as a prisoner to Halifax by the British for signing a petition. Thought these days, the relationship between Angélique and Belle becomes closer, and share some likes and dislikes. It seems better until the British declare a proclamation if the Acadians do not swear loyalty to the British crown, they will be deported, and they keep all men ages ten and over as prisoners! Unfortunatelly, this includes Angélique's brothers Claude and Zachary. But they are still allowed to take food to them, thanks to Jeremy.
Then the horrible happens, the Acadians are forced to be deported. Angélique almost looses her family hadn't it been for Belle. The family doesn't have as smooth sailing, but are reunited with Zachary and Claude. There Mémere passes away and Belle becomes ill. They land in Maryland, where it is no better Belle dies and nobody except some generous neighbours who give Angélique a job. They move in with other Acadians and Jehanne and Angélique become better friends.
This was a very excellent book for the Dear Canada series. The book tells of the tention and the Acadians' plight. The British thought in the eighteenth centry that they would kill off the Acadians by deporting them, but it didn't work. It was very cool to learn that there was an Acadian World Congress in 2004, and that the culture and language are stronger than ever. One of the best one's out there!
Then the horrible happens, the Acadians are forced to be deported. Angélique almost looses her family hadn't it been for Belle. The family doesn't have as smooth sailing, but are reunited with Zachary and Claude. There Mémere passes away and Belle becomes ill. They land in Maryland, where it is no better Belle dies and nobody except some generous neighbours who give Angélique a job. They move in with other Acadians and Jehanne and Angélique become better friends.
This was a very excellent book for the Dear Canada series. The book tells of the tention and the Acadians' plight. The British thought in the eighteenth centry that they would kill off the Acadians by deporting them, but it didn't work. It was very cool to learn that there was an Acadian World Congress in 2004, and that the culture and language are stronger than ever. One of the best one's out there!
May 14, 2016
The Dear Canada series is a collection of middle-grade books that follow children living through some of the biggest events in our country’s history. I have several on my ‘to be read’ list, but this is the first one I have had the opportunity to read so far.
It is important to teach the younger generations of our history so that it isn’t lost and forgotten. This Dear Canada series is wonderful because it describes the specific events in ways that middle-grade readers can understand.
Banished from Our Home wasn’t bogged down with the politics of the situation. Instead it gave a quick snapshot of everyday Acadian life and their traditions. The descriptions of their farms and the Grand Pre area sounded absolutely beautiful.
Angelique was a brave and likable character who fought to keep her family together during such a traumatic time. Also included in this book is a more detailed history of the Acadian expulsions and heritage, pictures, maps and a glossary of the French words that were used throughout the story.
Reading this book has really sparked my interest in learning more about the Acadian (now referred to as Cajun) culture and their people. I would recommend Banished from Our Home to anyone interested in Canadian history, especially those who read middle-grade fiction.
It is important to teach the younger generations of our history so that it isn’t lost and forgotten. This Dear Canada series is wonderful because it describes the specific events in ways that middle-grade readers can understand.
Banished from Our Home wasn’t bogged down with the politics of the situation. Instead it gave a quick snapshot of everyday Acadian life and their traditions. The descriptions of their farms and the Grand Pre area sounded absolutely beautiful.
Angelique was a brave and likable character who fought to keep her family together during such a traumatic time. Also included in this book is a more detailed history of the Acadian expulsions and heritage, pictures, maps and a glossary of the French words that were used throughout the story.
Reading this book has really sparked my interest in learning more about the Acadian (now referred to as Cajun) culture and their people. I would recommend Banished from Our Home to anyone interested in Canadian history, especially those who read middle-grade fiction.
July 28, 2011
More history I didn't know. This one chronicles the history of the Acadians, descendants of the first French settlers of Canada, who were forcibly relocated by the British. I always wondered about the origins of Louisiana's Cajuns. Now I know.
There really were some ghastly injustices delivered upon these people...
I found this one extremely interesting...especially when I link it to Maxine Trottier's Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles Du Roi Diary of Helene St. Onge, Montreal, New France, 1666, when I realize that some of the people in Stewart's story could have been descendants of the original Filles du Roi.
There really were some ghastly injustices delivered upon these people...
I found this one extremely interesting...especially when I link it to Maxine Trottier's Alone in an Untamed Land: The Filles Du Roi Diary of Helene St. Onge, Montreal, New France, 1666, when I realize that some of the people in Stewart's story could have been descendants of the original Filles du Roi.
June 3, 2013
This is one of the books I really remember from the series. It was extremely fascinating to learn about the Acadians, and what eventually happened to them is just horrible. It's really important that these events in our history aren't forgotten, and that's why I think the Dear Canada books are so important. They're not super in-depth, but they give you a really solid start when you're wanting to learn about certain subjects, and I think they're great for adults as well as kids. Definitely worth reading.
March 24, 2016
03/16: I enjoyed this one. Reading this Historical Fiction account of an Acadian family being deported from Canada is a good way to vicariously "experience" this chapter of history. I grew up hearing story-after-story like this. This account rings true with the stories passed down on both sides of my Cajun family. One thing that reads so very true about the Acadien/Acadienne/Cajun people is their propensity for nicknames for one another and practical jokes. I'm so grateful my ancestors made it to Louisiana. They were able to salvage their identity again.
July 25, 2017
I cried at this book and still gave it a 5-star rating. Five stars in spite of being hugely depressing! Even the "uplifting" ending is only maaaybe 15% less depressing than the entire rest of the book, but somehow it all just works. The sum is greater than the parts in this one.
For my full recap and review including spoilers, check out Young Adult Historical Vault. https://yahistoricalvault.com/2016/10...
For my full recap and review including spoilers, check out Young Adult Historical Vault. https://yahistoricalvault.com/2016/10...
July 13, 2012
Another book from the Dear Canada series providing readers with more knowledge about Canada's history. Banished from Our Home starts out slowly and eventually progresses to the main event, which was packed full of information. It left me with tears in my eyes as I read about what Angelique Richard and her family went through and the hardships they had.
August 13, 2013
This is a part of North American history that is often ignored and had effects on both Canada and the United States. While I would have preferred less French terminology sprinkled throughout, the narrative flow wasn't hampered.
May 6, 2008
Awesoe book and it falls uder my social criculam
February 6, 2010
LOVED IT! My favourite book in the Dear Canada series (after No Safe Harbour)! It was really sad when her sister Belle dies but the rest is awesome!
July 9, 2010
Not a favourite of mine but still a fantastic diary.
April 14, 2012
we were mean to these people that what I think but great book
May 11, 2012
This was a great book and makes you understand what it was like for the Acadians at the time
August 16, 2013
These diary stories are really great for learning history while still keeping it entertaining for kids.
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