The Train

by Jodie Callaghan, Georgia Lesley (Illustrations)

Ashley meets her great-uncle by the old train tracks near their reserve in Nova Scotia. When she sees his sadness, he shares with her the history of those tracks. Uncle tells her that during his childhood, the train would bring their community supplies, but there came a day when the train took away with it something much more important. One day, he and the other children from the reserve were taken aboard and transported to residential school, where their lives were changed forever. They weren't allowed to speak Mi'gmaq and were punished if they did. Uncle tells her he tried not to be noticed, like a little mouse, and how hard it was not to have the love and hugs and comfort of family. He also tells Ashley how happy she and her sister make him. They are what give him hope. Ashley promises to wait with her uncle as he sits by the tracks, waiting for what was taken from their people to come back to them.

Genres: Picture Books, Indigenous, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Canada, Family, Native American

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2020

About the author

Jodie Callaghan is a member of the Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation in Gespe'gewa'gi.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This book is a simple but effective read about a little girl coming home from school one day and spotting her uncle at the disused train tracks. He explains to her why he visits there and a tale unfolds about the native chikdren in Canada who were sent away to residential schools run by nuns and cruelly treated and banned from using their native tongue. He wants to get all the childhood he missed back and this is why he visits the train track.
A beautifully written and illustrated story that is heartbreaking too.

[CanadianReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve now encountered a number of picture books geared at introducing young children to the topic of Indian residential schools in Canada. This is not one of the better examples. Georgia Lesley’s pastel illustrations are bright and attractive enough, and some Mi’kmaq (East Coast indigenous) vocabulary is used in the narrative—all pluses. The problem is that Jodie Callaghan’s story itself is pretty lame and anemic. Ashley, a young child, is on her way home from school. She’s met by her great uncle, who informs her he’s waiting for the train to come in at a defunct railroad station. The reader gets the sense that this uncle’s appearance in the field isn’t a regular feature of Ashley’s day, but now, all of a sudden, the old man is here holding forth about indigenous children being taken away by train from their families many years ago. Why it should occur to him at this particular time to wait for a train “to bring back to us what it took away that day” is not clear. Although a cursory overview of the residential school experience is woven into the story (including the haircuts, the separation from siblings, and the banning of indigenous language), almost no historical context is given for young readers, and the prose is stilted and awkward. This is not an essential purchase for school or public libraries. Melanie Florence’s Stolen Words is a far more compelling and moving picture book for introducing kids to this sad chapter in Canadian history.

[Darryl Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m gradually reading through a list of books curated by Manitoban Cree author, David A. Robertson, centred on better understanding the history and lasting impact of Indigenous residential schools. This children’s book was the next on his list.

It’s a beautiful, gentle, and genuinely moving account of a young girl learning about her uncle’s childhood experience of being taken away to residential school on the train that used to run through their village. When she finally asks him why he regularly visits the site of the train station ruins, he poignantly replies, “I’m waiting for what we lost that day to come back to us.”

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley sees her uncle by the train tracks, that no longer hold trains. She doesn't understand why he is there. He says he is waiting for the train.

This was the same train that took he and his friends off to residential school, where he was treated badly simply because he was indigenous.



A sweet take on the story of the residential schools, told in picture book form, making it easy for children to understand. It speaks of hope, as the great Uncle explains that he is waiting for the train, that took them away, to bring back all it stole from them. Ashley says she will wait with him.

It is told in simple words and pictures that any child could understand.

Good addition to the growing stories of residential schools, and their horror.

Thanks to Netgalley for making book available for an honest review.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Powerful story as an uncle tells his truth about being taken from the reservation and sent to a school away from family. His tone is gentle as he tells of his experiences as the school administration sought to erase his tribal life.
The illustrations are colorful but in subdued tones.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This proved to be a pretty affecting little work, with a girl idling her way home from school finding her elderly uncle sitting staring at a disused railway line. We find what ghosts of the past haunt the place and the man to this day – that of the cultural theft of indigenous peoples across Canada, and their indoctrination in religious schools miles from their families and their inheritance. Looking at the first couple and the last few pages you might think this is a short, quick read, but in the middle the script can get quite dense for a very young reader, and while I enjoyed the artwork it did appear a little stilted at times. But on the whole this is a success – we'll all feel for the boy that became the uncle, and will all be grateful the girl character looks like getting a better future.

[April Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young Mi'gmaq girl meets her uncle on the way home from school, and when she asks him why he looks so sad, he tells her the story of being taken away on a train to a residential school when he was a child. The subject matter is handled in an age appropriate way, though it could have been a little longer. The artwork is nicely done, with brighter colors for the present and grays and blues for the past. A heartbreaking addition to the recent books about residential schools in Canada; I hope U.S. publishers will follow suit and publish books about our country's residential schools as well.

#TheTrain #NetGalley

[Etienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The soft and colorful illustrations had something beautiful eve if not really my style. The story is a bit long, too long in my opinion for the targeted readers age, and a bit too slow to grip the attention of the young one, and not really fun. I get the message the author want to pass on and i respect that but the execution and the way to pass it on didn't really work!

[OjoAusana · Rating 5 out of 5]

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I think it's really important that books like this are becoming more popular, so history and people's stories get told, this book is powerful and moving. I also love the art style.. It is simple compared to some other children's books that are similar so id say its better for younger children.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story and message of Native American tradition and beliefs.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley spots her uncle, all alone, waiting by the old train tracks on her way home from school. Whatever could he be doing there she wonders? When she gets closer to him she notices how sad he is and asks him why.

"I'm waiting for the train," he let out in a small voice."

Ashley looked down the old rotting tracks and giggled, "Uncle! The train doesn't come here anymore."

Ashley sees his deep sadness and shares it as he relates to her why he is feeling such deep sorrow now.

The train used to bring supplies to the community and then one day it didn't give... it took. It loaded up the children from the reserve and took them away to a residential school, away from their families, their traditions and were treated very cruelly. They were punished for speaking their native language, Mi-gmaq. They were forced to cut their long hair and to obey the priests and nuns who ruled over them with iron fists and brutality. He told her how difficult it was to be separated from his family and not have a voice. He became quiet " like a little mouse" and lived in the shadows, fearing the punishments that would be bestowed upon him. How he longed for the hugs and comfort that only his loving family could provide but was denied.

He confided to Ashley how her family, she and her sister, make him very happy now and have restored his hope for the future. He is waiting today by the tracks hoping that which was stolen from him will be returned.

This is a heartbreaking story really, a terrible and shameful time in Canadian history. It is told in simple words that children can understand. The illustrations are very well done and the colour pallet seems soothing in contrast to the harsh reality of the story. They enrich and soften the harshness of the text. The author has included a Glossary of Mi'gmaq Words at the end and a synopsis of that time period in history. I love books like this that keep history alive for new generations to grasp and grapple with, never to be repeated...ever... lest we forget. I highly recommend this book.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Residential School scandal is one that Canada is trying to reconcile with its native people. It is a dark time in Canadian History and one that needs to be taught to all children. There is a lot of racism toward Canada's Native People and this might be one small way to bring some understanding. In this story Ashley is walking home from school one day when she finds her uncle sitting by the abandoned tracks of the old train station. He tells her about the time when the children from reservations all over Canada were taken from their families and placed in Residential Schools. While there, they were not allowed to speak their language or follow their customs. They wanted to erase the native way of life. How tragic for these children to be torn away from their families and often abused in various ways while at these schools. Ashley's uncle stresses not only the importance of remembering this part of their history so that it does not happen again, but also to remember what these children and their families lost because of these events.

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The writing is descriptive that combined with the illustrations you feel like you are there and can feel Uncle's pain. This book would be of great use when teaching about this time in Canada's history. I think it would work with junior classrooms when learning about the development of the country, but also when learning about social justice and racism. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Sandy Wilmering · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley is walking home from school one day when she discovers her uncle by the weathered tracks of the old train station. He sits her down and tells her how children from Reserves all over Canada were taken from their families and placed in Residential Schools, where they were not allowed to speak their language or follow their customs. Ashley's uncle stresses not only the importance of remembering this part of their history so that it does not happen again, but also to remember what these children and their families lost through that experience.

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. The author's physical and emotional descriptions make you feel as though you are there with Ashley's uncle as he tells his story. The perfect book to teach elementary children about this dark side of our Canadian history.

I would like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
#TheTrain #NetGalley

[Anita Ojeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful and evocative story about a young girl, Ashley, who finds her uncle sitting alone next to train tracks overgrown with weeds. When Ashley asks him why he sits there, he explains that he waits for what they lost that day to come back. This opens up a conversation about the residential school system in Canada (similar to the Indian Boarding School system in the United States) and how it traumatized generations of children.

The beautiful illustrations keep the book from feeling too dark, and the author brings up an important concept for children and adults alike--learning to sit with someone in their pain. A glossary of Mi'gmaq words at the end helps readers understand unfamiliar words.

Parents, teachers, librarians, and lawmakers need to read this important book in order to understand how decisions made in the past continue to affect the present and the future.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short story for children to grasp the impact residential schools has had on their family members.

Ashley is making her way home when she spots her great uncle by unused train tracks. He then begins to tell her the story of his relationship with the train, and how it impacted him and so many others.

Jodie captures the innocence of Ashley, how she listens to her uncle tell his story and she can feel his pain even though she may not understand it completely just yet. The Author also allows the reader to feel the Uncles pain, and what he has lost, what they all have lost.

This story may be short but it definitely will impact its readers. 5/5.

[Maria Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sad story that deals with the history of how native children were taken to the residential schools. It uses the abandoned train tracks to start and end the story. A young girl listens to the experiences of her great-uncle.

Going in, I didn't at first realize that the book was about the residential schools. I wish the author had made it a little more clear in the opening pages.

A quiet book to introduce a tough subject.

**Note: I received a free copy of this title from the people at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 24th March 2020 - publication day!

This is a moving story that is told very well.

I really liked how the tough subject was dealt with and it is great that more awareness is being made of what happened.

I thought that it was a powerful story, the images suited the story perfectly and I do love that the parts of history that were previously somewhat hidden are now being discussed.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

[Meagan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book from start to finish. It was an excellent way to start the conversation about residential schools and the topic of intergenerational trauma with little ones. The story introduces a young girl who learns about the residential school experience through her uncle in a way that is both honest yet age appropriate for children. Despite the tough subject matter The Train is beautifully written and expertly illustrated. This book will have a special spot on my shelf for years to come.

[Savannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tells such an important story, but I feel like the amount of text is more fitting in a longer book. This is an amazing way to educate kids on what really happened in the past, but it might be a little too dense for the intended audience.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Jen Kervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tender, gentle, and impactful picture book that will help young children understand the generational impact of residential schools. The beautiful illustrations really complement the text.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indian Residential / Boarding Schools. Pair with When We Were Alone, When I Was Eight, I Am Not a Number, Stolen Words, & You Hold Me Up.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book about how indigenous children were taken from their families and put in abusive residential schools. Listed on the American Indians in Children's Literature's list of Best Books of 2020.

[Chinook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Stolen Words, this book approaches the residential school subject from the perspective of a relative explaining to a young indigenous child what he experienced. It’s a wordier picture book, fine for Kait at 6, but a bit long for four year old Maddie.

[AbsentLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pulls at the heartstring. Sad yet beautiful. This is now my favorite recommendation to elementary classes on the topic of residential schools. Very appropriate for primary classes while sharing this important lesson of Canada's shameful history. Beautiful characters!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes an aged survivor of the trains taking indigenous children away to Catholic schools, where their identity was wiped out by punishment.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming and powerful.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks, Cheriee, for recommending this book. I know that both Canada and the U.S. have done this terrible thing to Native Americans. It's an "Own Voices" book by Jodie Callaghan who has an uncle tell his sad story to his niece as she sees him on her way to school. He's sitting at the ruins of the old railway station, long gone, and the tracks themselves are broken, ties rotting. He tells of being sent with his siblings to the train and how they and all the village children were taken to a residential school, being forced to wear different clothes with their hair cut, English only spoken, often abused. It's a brief story, telling those few things, perhaps meant to be the opening of knowing about this sad history. The niece is sweetly sympathetic; they both cry. He waits there because he wants to remember all he can, for everyone. If not him, who? Illustrations by Georgia Lesley are soft and tender. There is a small glossary at the back. Jodie is a Mi'gmaq woman from the Listuguj First Nation in Gespegewa'gi near Quebec.

[Erin Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sad but realistic book about a family that was forced to sacrifice in order to survive.

Ashley runs into her uncle by the train tracks. Her uncle begins to tell her how the American Indians were displaced from their families. Children were sent away on a train and separated from their siblings. They lost their identity and everything that made them unique and different. They lost their traditional clothing, hair and even their language.

The story is very sad and the reality of so many Native families. Ashley's uncle shared the story so she could understand how far the American Indians have come and what they went through. The illustrations were very detailed and appropriate for the story. I would recommend this book for older grades because it is very heavy and sad. I found this book on https://americanindiansinchildrenslit... and watched it on YouTube.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl comes upon her great uncle waiting by an abandoned train station. He tells her of boarding a train from there when he was young. He and his siblings were taken to a residential school. He was there for six years before he came home.
The book doesn’t deal with the horrors of that place, but it does highlight the loss of language, culture and relationships.
Georgia Lesley’s gorgeous illustrations enhance the emotional impact of this story.