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I Am Canada
Au Canada : De fer et de sang
Heen figure parmi les plus jeunes Chinois à participer à la construction du chemin de fer canadien. Il n'a pas le choix de travailler, car son père et son grand-père ont contracté des dettes de jeu qui ont complètement ruiné sa famille. Malgré son jeune âge, il doit travailler aussi fort que les autres hommes... et faire face aux mêmes dangers.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
10 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Paul Yee
39 books37 followersPaul Yee never planned to be an author but got published in 1983 and followed up with over twenty books in his area of obsession: Chinese immigrants to North America. He wrote mostly for young readers, from picture books to Young Adult fiction, as well as histories for everyone. His university degrees in history, plus working as an archivist, plunged him into researching the past. His work has been translated into French and Chinese, and used in animated films as well as stage plays. Born in small-town prairie Canada, he grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, but Toronto tempted him away from that west coast paradise in 1988.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 9, 2010
I think my daughter and I were surprised by how much we actually enjoyed reading this book. Written in the form of diary entries, Blood and Iron is a fictional account based on the translated journals of 14 year-old Lee Heen-gwong who came to British Colombia in 1882 to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway along with thousands of other Chinese workers and immigrants. His first-hand perspective renders this account so interesting since not much has been recorded about the history of Chinese people in Canada. The Epilogue mentions that Heen’s great grand-son saved the journals from a stack of old business ledgers being tossed out.
The story opens up in China just before Heen travels with his father Ba to work in America so that they can send money back to the family who is in dire straits because Grandfather gambled away their store. Initially, Heen is excited and his first journal entries are so funny, filled with his view of the world and his quirky expressions. All the characters are named according to their characteristics or work positions such as Big Lump, Thunder God, Tiger Face, Bookman and Short Boss. He refers to the Westerners as Red Beards. My daughter and I laughed so hard as Heen describes some of the adjustments and Chinese view of things.
Soon, though, things get difficult as they are plunged into the dangerous back-breaking labour of cutting trees and moving earth and rock to build the railway. The details get gritty as Heen doesn’t mince words about the accidents and deaths that occur on the work site, the wretched living conditions, the lack of respect from the Red Beards and the injustices they face. We cringed at some of the accidents he witnessed. Heen also has troubles with his father who gambles and loses all their hard earned wages. Letters from his mother back in China reveal how their lack of income and presence is affecting the family.
The themes are universal and teens today will be able to relate: a teen who yearns for his father’s approval, taking pride in one’s work, not wanting to be treated like a child. Heen feels keenly the desperate situation of his family and his despair is evident, but he is honest, hard-working and positive, gaining respect among the older ones. This is very much a story of survival. It isn't dull, but filled with action and the Chinese culture, customs and expressions.
I have no doubt this new I Am Canada series from the creators of the Dear Canada series will also be popular, especially among boys, the target audience. For even my sensitive tween girl enjoyed it immensely as we read it together.
The story opens up in China just before Heen travels with his father Ba to work in America so that they can send money back to the family who is in dire straits because Grandfather gambled away their store. Initially, Heen is excited and his first journal entries are so funny, filled with his view of the world and his quirky expressions. All the characters are named according to their characteristics or work positions such as Big Lump, Thunder God, Tiger Face, Bookman and Short Boss. He refers to the Westerners as Red Beards. My daughter and I laughed so hard as Heen describes some of the adjustments and Chinese view of things.
Soon, though, things get difficult as they are plunged into the dangerous back-breaking labour of cutting trees and moving earth and rock to build the railway. The details get gritty as Heen doesn’t mince words about the accidents and deaths that occur on the work site, the wretched living conditions, the lack of respect from the Red Beards and the injustices they face. We cringed at some of the accidents he witnessed. Heen also has troubles with his father who gambles and loses all their hard earned wages. Letters from his mother back in China reveal how their lack of income and presence is affecting the family.
The themes are universal and teens today will be able to relate: a teen who yearns for his father’s approval, taking pride in one’s work, not wanting to be treated like a child. Heen feels keenly the desperate situation of his family and his despair is evident, but he is honest, hard-working and positive, gaining respect among the older ones. This is very much a story of survival. It isn't dull, but filled with action and the Chinese culture, customs and expressions.
I have no doubt this new I Am Canada series from the creators of the Dear Canada series will also be popular, especially among boys, the target audience. For even my sensitive tween girl enjoyed it immensely as we read it together.
August 2, 2011
This book is a diary from a Chinese worker from 1882 who participated (slaved) to help build the Canadian Pacific Railroad in BC. Fascinating read, I learned so much about the ways of Canada prior to being such a free country. The Chinese were treated as second (or third)-class citiziens and were tragically killed on almost a daily basis while building the railroad. It was said that 1 man was killed for every metre of railroad built. Astonishing.
Short and good read.
Short and good read.
March 31, 2011
Great for young readers and old alike. Written in diary form, the story of a young man who has come to BC to work on building the railroad in order to earn money to pay off his grandfather's gambling debts.
Liz
Liz
March 4, 2018
This is a great book to understand how the Pacific Railway was built from the perspective of the Chinese workers. In this book I learned how difficult it was to be a Chinese person working on the railway, and how difficult it was for them to earn money and to be respected. This book told many problems about working on the railway that i think the textbooks didn't provide. Such as clearing trees; how dangerous it was to get your hands/fingers cut off, and risking debris to get into your eyes, and the risk of the tree falling on top of you. Wildlife; bears, and cougars, how risky it was to get from one place to the other because you could be attacked by bears or other dangerous predators. Their clothing; getting worn out or broken easily and having to pay for a new ones. Sickness; how easily they got sick on the boat or from food poisoning.
The thing that grabbed most of my attention from the book was how well the Chinese compromised to survive; going fishing so they wouldn't haft to pay to buy food, or writing letters for people to earn more money. They lived in groups and would take turns getting water or firewood for the group. Another thing that grabbed my attention was how the native people that lived there were always around looking out or doing there own thing (fishing/hunting). The Natives would even tell the Canadians what to do if it was effecting the land; all the rocks being thrown in the river so the salmon can not go up river to spawn.
The thing that I liked most about the book was that it seemed to grab every little aspect that happened back then, whether it was the conflict between the Canadians and the Chinese; how dominant or overpowering the Canadians were over the Chinese. How hard the Chinese had to work and how dangerous there jobs were; blowing up rocks and cutting trees. I really liked how it was put in a young Chinese mans perspective, because that way i got more of a sense how difficult life was for them, and I feel that the young men were picked on more by the older folks so i think they had it harder than anyone, but the younger men could fight off sicknesses or injuries better because they were healthier.
The thing that grabbed most of my attention from the book was how well the Chinese compromised to survive; going fishing so they wouldn't haft to pay to buy food, or writing letters for people to earn more money. They lived in groups and would take turns getting water or firewood for the group. Another thing that grabbed my attention was how the native people that lived there were always around looking out or doing there own thing (fishing/hunting). The Natives would even tell the Canadians what to do if it was effecting the land; all the rocks being thrown in the river so the salmon can not go up river to spawn.
The thing that I liked most about the book was that it seemed to grab every little aspect that happened back then, whether it was the conflict between the Canadians and the Chinese; how dominant or overpowering the Canadians were over the Chinese. How hard the Chinese had to work and how dangerous there jobs were; blowing up rocks and cutting trees. I really liked how it was put in a young Chinese mans perspective, because that way i got more of a sense how difficult life was for them, and I feel that the young men were picked on more by the older folks so i think they had it harder than anyone, but the younger men could fight off sicknesses or injuries better because they were healthier.
April 15, 2019
Notes for exam- Heen is the main character, father is Ba. All Chinese workers that were building the transcontinental railway were subject to harm and unsafe working conditions. Canadians, red beards, got higher pay. The book man gave easier jobs to his people, bias and inequality. Had to pay for shelter, food, and ticket back on the boat. Gambling and drinking (rice wine) were common occurrences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2022
TW: The book contains many references to gambling. I like how it is written in journal format, rather than chapter format. It’s also interesting to read about the similarities between the U.S and Canada in relation to their transcontinental railroads and the experiences of Chinese workers.
January 28, 2020
The heart-wrenching story of early Chinese-Canadians who were employed on the railroad. Certainly worth the attention and acknowledgment of all Canadians.
Read
January 20, 2021read this for an asian canadian history class
February 2, 2025
I'm a little outside the target demographic on this one as it was clearly written/intended for a younger audience, and while it was lacking some of the historical depth I was hoping for, this book was nevertheless good for what it was - a brief look into the (dangerous, deplorable, and underpaid) working conditions of Chinese laborers on the CPR.
3 stars.
3 stars.
January 2, 2012
Reason for Reading: I love the Dear Canada books and am thrilled the publisher's have come out with a similar series featuring boy protagonists. I also just love about anything written in epistolary format and I've always wanted to read Paul Yee; I have read one of his picture books but that was many years ago and I don't remember which one at this time.
Written as a series of journal entries, this follows the story of Heen, often called Rock Brain by his father (Ba) and others. His father comes back from one year of working in Canada on the cross-country railway, or the iron road as the Chinese workers call it. His mother convinces him to take Heen back with him so they can make more money faster to pay off the Grandfather's gambling debt which lost the family their little rice shop. Heen is excited but he soon learns what backbreaking and unfair working conditions he faces as a Chinese railway worker in Canada. The Chinese were used on the Western stretch that passed through the thick forests and high mountain ranges of British Columbia. This was dangerous, tiring, underpaid, and unappreciated work. Not only did the Chinese face unsafe working conditions with many deaths for little pay, they also faced racist attitudes from white people in the towns and white workers who didn't want them there in the first place.
The book is extremely interesting. We learn a lot of history about the railway, the plight of the Chinese workers, conditions of the white workers, the racial attitudes, the infighting among the Chinese themselves and what the motivations were for the Chinese to do this work when they knew there was little money in it for the work involved. Heen is an interesting character who grows through the book and will especially appeal to boys, but I think girls will be attracted to his story as well. The plot involves a lot of action and some minor graphic scenes that may make you squinch. It held my attention I couldn't put the book down until I was finished. Like the Dear Canada books, after the journal entries end we are given a rundown on what happened to the main characters, a factual "Historical Note", then a few pages of actual photographs. A very satisfying read.
Written as a series of journal entries, this follows the story of Heen, often called Rock Brain by his father (Ba) and others. His father comes back from one year of working in Canada on the cross-country railway, or the iron road as the Chinese workers call it. His mother convinces him to take Heen back with him so they can make more money faster to pay off the Grandfather's gambling debt which lost the family their little rice shop. Heen is excited but he soon learns what backbreaking and unfair working conditions he faces as a Chinese railway worker in Canada. The Chinese were used on the Western stretch that passed through the thick forests and high mountain ranges of British Columbia. This was dangerous, tiring, underpaid, and unappreciated work. Not only did the Chinese face unsafe working conditions with many deaths for little pay, they also faced racist attitudes from white people in the towns and white workers who didn't want them there in the first place.
The book is extremely interesting. We learn a lot of history about the railway, the plight of the Chinese workers, conditions of the white workers, the racial attitudes, the infighting among the Chinese themselves and what the motivations were for the Chinese to do this work when they knew there was little money in it for the work involved. Heen is an interesting character who grows through the book and will especially appeal to boys, but I think girls will be attracted to his story as well. The plot involves a lot of action and some minor graphic scenes that may make you squinch. It held my attention I couldn't put the book down until I was finished. Like the Dear Canada books, after the journal entries end we are given a rundown on what happened to the main characters, a factual "Historical Note", then a few pages of actual photographs. A very satisfying read.
September 5, 2011
Fourteen-year-old Heen and his father must leave their home in China and travel far across the sea to Canada to work on building the transcontinental railroad. The family business has been lost to gambling debts, and there are not enough jobs in China. On the day Heen leaves home, he begins writing in a diary given to him as a parting gift from his schoolteacher.
The journey across the sea is long and miserable, and many people are sick. Heen resents his father for continuing to gamble, even after losing the family store because of gambling debts. When they arrive in Canada, Heen finds the work much more difficult than he expected. The Chinese workers must work long hours for less pay than the white workers. The conditions are dangerous and many men are hurt or killed.
I love the similar Dear Canada series from the same publisher, written from the viewpoints of young girls in Canadian history, so I was interested to try the new I Am Canada series, which is similar but from a male viewpoint. The historical information seemed really well researched and I loved the voice of the narrator, Heen. The book really seemed like it could be the diary of a boy his age. At first he was a rather humorous narrator, giving nicknames to all the people he encountered based on their characteristics. However, the story soon became more serious and tragic, showing the horrible working conditions the Chinese laborers had to endure. If you enjoyed the Dear Canada series or historical fiction in general, I think you will enjoy this book.
The journey across the sea is long and miserable, and many people are sick. Heen resents his father for continuing to gamble, even after losing the family store because of gambling debts. When they arrive in Canada, Heen finds the work much more difficult than he expected. The Chinese workers must work long hours for less pay than the white workers. The conditions are dangerous and many men are hurt or killed.
I love the similar Dear Canada series from the same publisher, written from the viewpoints of young girls in Canadian history, so I was interested to try the new I Am Canada series, which is similar but from a male viewpoint. The historical information seemed really well researched and I loved the voice of the narrator, Heen. The book really seemed like it could be the diary of a boy his age. At first he was a rather humorous narrator, giving nicknames to all the people he encountered based on their characteristics. However, the story soon became more serious and tragic, showing the horrible working conditions the Chinese laborers had to endure. If you enjoyed the Dear Canada series or historical fiction in general, I think you will enjoy this book.
February 14, 2014
This book was so interesting! It is about a boy named Lee Heen-gwong who went to work on the dangerous Canadian railway in British Columbia in 1882. He goes through many different kinds of experiences through out his work in Canada. As well as these experiences, Lee has to face his mean, gambling father named Ba, who works with him and calls him "rock-brain". Will Lee survive his work and father? Find out by reading "I am Canada: Blood and Iron-Building the railway" by Paul Yee.
I loved this book and how it was written as if Lee himself was writing in his actual journal! I loved all the suspenseful adventures in the book. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the ending. It was boring and din't wrap up the book at all. Otherwise, I loved the book!
I would recommend this book to people who like true, historical stories written in journal style. You will love this book!
I loved this book and how it was written as if Lee himself was writing in his actual journal! I loved all the suspenseful adventures in the book. The only thing I didn't like about the book was the ending. It was boring and din't wrap up the book at all. Otherwise, I loved the book!
I would recommend this book to people who like true, historical stories written in journal style. You will love this book!
May 1, 2012
So far it was my least favourite I am Canada book. It just wasn't as exciting as the others. That said, it protrayed what Chinese railroad workers went through in a great and movining way.
March 10, 2014
One of my favorite historical fiction books by one of my all-time favorite authors; a MUST-READ for anyone with an appreciation for the Chinese-Canadian culture.
November 19, 2014
The main character was annoying for most of the book. Really frustrating that the workers were treated very badly.
June 1, 2015
I really liked how they build the track and it was difficult for them.
June 16, 2021
I do think I would want to visit the memorial of the deaths in the building of the Pacific railroad in downtown Toronto, someday.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews