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April Raintree
A revised version of the novel In Search of April Raintree, written specifically for students in grades 9 through 12. Through her characterization of two young sisters who are removed from their family, the author poignantly illustrates the difficulties that many Aboriginal people face in maintaining a positive self-identity.
185 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
July 25, 2012
There are some things we should read about from an intellectual point of view to make us educated and aware. Then there are issues that require good citizens to put aside their own lives for a few hours and experience the choices and feelings of someone else. Anyone living in Canada today needs to understand the Metis and our First Nations people at a deeper level.
I like the original title best. "In Search of April Raintree" really captures the essence of the story. Searching. Questions. Confusion. It's a title that is well-known enough that the phrase would roll through my thoughts as I was reading and it helped me center my thoughts about the narrative.
This adapted version is not an easy read, but it is also not grim. I'm glad that Mosionier wrote a version for high school. It means that I can use it in our studies of Manitoba history. If you are looking for an excellent free resource, Aurora College has a free PDF teaching guide that is perfect for using as a high school level book study.
I like the original title best. "In Search of April Raintree" really captures the essence of the story. Searching. Questions. Confusion. It's a title that is well-known enough that the phrase would roll through my thoughts as I was reading and it helped me center my thoughts about the narrative.
This adapted version is not an easy read, but it is also not grim. I'm glad that Mosionier wrote a version for high school. It means that I can use it in our studies of Manitoba history. If you are looking for an excellent free resource, Aurora College has a free PDF teaching guide that is perfect for using as a high school level book study.
April 11, 2016
I'm incredibly embarrassed that I had never heard of this story before, but I am so appreciative that it crossed my path. Beginning in 1950's Manitoba, this is the story of April and Cheryl Raintree, two sisters placed into the foster care system and struggling with their Metis identity. Although the characters are fictional, the racially charged stereotypes and prejudice that the Raintree sisters encounter is 100% accurate. I especially liked how Beatrice Culleton creates in her two main protagonists the lack of belonging and cultural identity that many of Canada's First Nations people felt and still do feel because of the government measures that were forced upon them.
The edition I read is targeted at students from grades 9 to 12 and would be a valuable educational resource to any teacher that is looking for themes related to residential schools, foster care, the Metis people, and growing up in 20th century Canada. In addition, I felt that the vocabulary used in the book was rich and wouldn't cause too many issues for struggling readers. Although I would recommend teachers presenting the historical context before plunging into the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Portage& Main Press, Highwater Press, and author Beatrice Mosionier( Culleton) for the chance to read this book.
The edition I read is targeted at students from grades 9 to 12 and would be a valuable educational resource to any teacher that is looking for themes related to residential schools, foster care, the Metis people, and growing up in 20th century Canada. In addition, I felt that the vocabulary used in the book was rich and wouldn't cause too many issues for struggling readers. Although I would recommend teachers presenting the historical context before plunging into the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Portage& Main Press, Highwater Press, and author Beatrice Mosionier( Culleton) for the chance to read this book.
April 18, 2012
"April Raintree" is very interesting and is one of the best books I have ever read. It contains a lot of conflict and deals with the issues facing people today such as racism, alcoholoism, rape, and prostitution. I enjoyed how descriptive and true to life the book is. I haven't come across any books that are better at talking about these issues. This book is good at describing the conflict between white and Metis people of the time. The book describes the image of native people as being dirty alcoholics. This isn't true for all native and Metis people, but this is what April sees as the public image that most people see. She takes the white perspective while her sister Cheryl takes the Metis perspective which leads to conflict between them because of their opinions and beliefs. This is a great book if you have to do a novel study or a book report.
April 18, 2012
I thought April Raintree was a very good book and it showed lots of different emotions and how people have to cope with all the problems that life throws at them. I really liked all the twists and turns that was shown in this book and how the two sisters relationship changed throughtout the story. This book gave me a better understnading of how some people live in the world and how lucky i am to have the life that i do. I felt sorry for both April and Cheryl in some parts of the book because of everything that they were having to deal with as young kids and how strong that they had to be to overcome those challenges. I would recommend this to anyone because it gives people a good perspective of how other people live and that you shouldn't take for granted everything that you have in your life.
April 18, 2012
I really liked this book! It gives the reader great insight into what many Metis people have to go through in their lives. There were many times in this book that I figured that things for April and Cheryl couldn't get much worse, and then the author throws in another curve ball. You don't want to think about the fact that the events in their lives are actually happening to lots of people every day. I think it's a good thing that this book is written from April's point of view, because the emotions she is feeling are more in depth. I strongly recommend reading this book. It's hard to stop reading!
April 18, 2012
I have completed the book "April Raintree". This book is quite interesting. It is filled with many conflicts, and lots of discrimination towards the two main characters (April, and Cheryl). In this book there is a lot of racism towards Indians, and Metis people. This book teaches you the things that people go through in life, and how they deal with it.
January 24, 2022
This is the story of two Metis sisters, who find themselves in foster care when there parents become too ill to care for them properly. Sadly they do not end up in the same foster home so both are terrified and alone. April is more 'white' looking, while Cheryl looks more Metis and these differences in appearance seem to influence their views on their heritage and their lives. April immediately notices the benefits to looking less indigenous, while Cheryl embraces her heritage, even though April feels their futures might turn out better if they distance themselves.
A very interesting and raw story. April is embarrassed by her Metis looking sister, and often chooses to avoid having Cheryl meet her friends as she worries they will think less of her if they know she is Metis.
April hides who she is and Cheryl wishes she was more than 1/2 native. Both are trying to avoid the social workers comments about how the outcomes of their lives will be determined by their Metis background. "Now, you're going the same route as many other native girls. If you don't smarten up, you'll end up in the same place. Skid row." There is no way out, and no responsibility put on the corruption of foster care, the social workers who do not do their jobs to ensure their cases' safety. April thinks Cheryl's dreams are impossible. "If only Cheryl would forget about them, forget that she was Metis. She was so smart that she could have made it in the white world. White people has a great respect for high intelligence. I almost wished my parents were dead."
When April marries a rich white man and invites Cheryl to visit, her mother in law takes April aside to say that it isn't appropriate to include Cheryl in dinners out, and April sort of agrees as she is worried to be identified as Metis, a fact she can hide, that Cheryl cannot.
This is a difficult read with some very graphic and disturbing passages. April's rape is very shocking and horrifying. The author did a good job of making us all feel April's terror and helplessness in surviving that. This is a reworking of the book In Search of April Raintree, reworked to be more appropriate for grades 9-12.
A very interesting and raw story. April is embarrassed by her Metis looking sister, and often chooses to avoid having Cheryl meet her friends as she worries they will think less of her if they know she is Metis.
April hides who she is and Cheryl wishes she was more than 1/2 native. Both are trying to avoid the social workers comments about how the outcomes of their lives will be determined by their Metis background. "Now, you're going the same route as many other native girls. If you don't smarten up, you'll end up in the same place. Skid row." There is no way out, and no responsibility put on the corruption of foster care, the social workers who do not do their jobs to ensure their cases' safety. April thinks Cheryl's dreams are impossible. "If only Cheryl would forget about them, forget that she was Metis. She was so smart that she could have made it in the white world. White people has a great respect for high intelligence. I almost wished my parents were dead."
When April marries a rich white man and invites Cheryl to visit, her mother in law takes April aside to say that it isn't appropriate to include Cheryl in dinners out, and April sort of agrees as she is worried to be identified as Metis, a fact she can hide, that Cheryl cannot.
This is a difficult read with some very graphic and disturbing passages. April's rape is very shocking and horrifying. The author did a good job of making us all feel April's terror and helplessness in surviving that. This is a reworking of the book In Search of April Raintree, reworked to be more appropriate for grades 9-12.
September 5, 2018
Two sisters who are half Métis and half white, and have been living with parents who are alcoholics and basically neglect the girls. When April is 6 and Cheryl is 4 they are taken away by Child Services and put into an orphanage run by nuns. The nuns don’t treat any of the children in their care very well, and are determined to erase any pride in their Native identity the kids might feel. Eventually, April and Cheryl are separated, fostered out to separate families. There they are both treated well for the few years they live with their foster families.
But eventually circumstances change, and April is sent to live on a farm with family. The mother and her two children despise Native children and treat April with a great deal of cruelty. Then, Cheryl’s circumstances change and she finds herself living in the same family as April. Sadly, their social worker doesn’t notice anything happening, and only takes the word of the mother, not trusting the word of a Native girl. Finally, they get a new social worker and spend the rest of foster care in better circumstances.
Despite always doing well in school, when April and Cheryl age out of foster care, their lives are difficult. The trauma they experienced growing up - being essentially abandoned by their parents, living in foster care and never really belonging, losing their sense of Native identity, dealing with alcoholism, discrimination, injustice, prostitution, and cruelty - takes it toll on both sisters.
This is a raw, emotionally gripping novel, pulling no punches about how Native children are treated and the prejudice they experience. It’s a little too mature for my readers, but I would highly recommend it to older readers. It is narrated by April and although it was originally published in 1983, it really holds up today - which is really sad, when you think about it.
But eventually circumstances change, and April is sent to live on a farm with family. The mother and her two children despise Native children and treat April with a great deal of cruelty. Then, Cheryl’s circumstances change and she finds herself living in the same family as April. Sadly, their social worker doesn’t notice anything happening, and only takes the word of the mother, not trusting the word of a Native girl. Finally, they get a new social worker and spend the rest of foster care in better circumstances.
Despite always doing well in school, when April and Cheryl age out of foster care, their lives are difficult. The trauma they experienced growing up - being essentially abandoned by their parents, living in foster care and never really belonging, losing their sense of Native identity, dealing with alcoholism, discrimination, injustice, prostitution, and cruelty - takes it toll on both sisters.
This is a raw, emotionally gripping novel, pulling no punches about how Native children are treated and the prejudice they experience. It’s a little too mature for my readers, but I would highly recommend it to older readers. It is narrated by April and although it was originally published in 1983, it really holds up today - which is really sad, when you think about it.
January 21, 2019
This is one of those books that will stay with you long after you have read it. When someone lent me this book I wasn't intrigued by it and didn't find it looked all that interesting. Boy was I fooled! This is the story of April and Cheryl, two Metis sisters who's lives take very different paths.
March 28, 2018
Such an amazing book. I first read this book some 10 years ago in high school English class. It is a sad reminder of how cruel people are and the struggles some people have with their identity and trying to fit in. I love this book!
September 7, 2018
I can certainly understand how this book is making it onto the curriculum in Canadian schools. Extremely well done and looking at all aspects of how many First Nation people lived and were treated. One of the best books on First Nation people I have read. Thank you for writing this book.
May 27, 2023
This is my absolute favorite book. I first read it when I was 13, I'm 32 now and it's still my favorite. I did most of my growing up in the Winnipeg foster care system and can sympathize with it 100%
April 30, 2025
Epic book, read for English. Kinda sad but really really good.
January 11, 2026
Relatable on so many levels. Read this book as a teen and it's crossed my mind for the last 30 some yrs.
February 12, 2014
I read excerpts from the original, In Search of April Raintree, when I was in high school. At that time, I recall finding the section my teacher chose being drearily depressing.
Right now, I'm working on creating materials for a blended English course, and this version, entitled simply April Raintree, written one year after the original at the request of educators wanting more classroom-friendly content, is one of the options vetted and available to me according to more than one book list I'm encouraged to choose from for First Nations content.
I have both copies on my desk, and in fact, my district would allow me to use either version of the story. While neither version is what one might think of as being uplifting, is certainly less graphic and contains less language that teachers may be uncomfortable with addressing in their classroom. Most of it is language that students are used to bandying about casually in the hallways of their schools, but may be uncomfortable hearing from a teacher, if the teacher reads aloud, or may be uncomfortable reading aloud in a group/class setting, in front of a teacher, or in a mixed group, particularly moments like the rape scene, diaries, and other highly emotionally charged scenes.
I remain torn, however - in some ways, the authenticity of the voices in the original is part of what I now recognize as the power of the book. My high school teacher did not choose to cover the more powerful sections of the book - either because she was uncomfortable with the content, or because she was not permitted to do so, or felt that we as a class or individuals were not up to the emotional or intellectual challenges they posed. The adaptation remains true in many, many ways, and Culleton-Mosionnier does her best to retain the voices of the characters, and their emotional integrity, without creating unnecessary triggers for younger readers --- but I couldn't help but feel that some credibility was lost. Not in some specific events that were cut, but in the loss of authentic voice at pivotal moments. The most recent version of In Search of April Raintree also includes some excellent critical essays about the themes that are addressed in the novel.
April Raintree remains an important piece of Canadian literature, both in terms of it's perspective on the experience of Aboriginal children in the foster care system in the 60s and 70s and in terms of the experience of Aboriginal women in Canada, as well as for it's depictions of racism, and the human frailties that plague people of all races - love and uncertainty, self-doubt, loyalty to family vs. self-preservation, identity, hope and despair.
Either version of the novel is something I would recommend as a reader or as an educator - which you choose would be dependent on your purposes, the reading confidence of those who will be reading it, potential for triggering emotional overload and how much "extra" material the reader might want to or be ready to consider for context.
It is still a read that made me sad - but this time it was because we are also reviewing a play about the Highway of Tears, and I am saddened this time that despite much progress since the time Culleton first wrote this piece, there remains much, much work to be done, and there are still too many Cheryl Raintrees in Canada.
Right now, I'm working on creating materials for a blended English course, and this version, entitled simply April Raintree, written one year after the original at the request of educators wanting more classroom-friendly content, is one of the options vetted and available to me according to more than one book list I'm encouraged to choose from for First Nations content.
I have both copies on my desk, and in fact, my district would allow me to use either version of the story. While neither version is what one might think of as being uplifting, is certainly less graphic and contains less language that teachers may be uncomfortable with addressing in their classroom. Most of it is language that students are used to bandying about casually in the hallways of their schools, but may be uncomfortable hearing from a teacher, if the teacher reads aloud, or may be uncomfortable reading aloud in a group/class setting, in front of a teacher, or in a mixed group, particularly moments like the rape scene, diaries, and other highly emotionally charged scenes.
I remain torn, however - in some ways, the authenticity of the voices in the original is part of what I now recognize as the power of the book. My high school teacher did not choose to cover the more powerful sections of the book - either because she was uncomfortable with the content, or because she was not permitted to do so, or felt that we as a class or individuals were not up to the emotional or intellectual challenges they posed. The adaptation remains true in many, many ways, and Culleton-Mosionnier does her best to retain the voices of the characters, and their emotional integrity, without creating unnecessary triggers for younger readers --- but I couldn't help but feel that some credibility was lost. Not in some specific events that were cut, but in the loss of authentic voice at pivotal moments. The most recent version of In Search of April Raintree also includes some excellent critical essays about the themes that are addressed in the novel.
April Raintree remains an important piece of Canadian literature, both in terms of it's perspective on the experience of Aboriginal children in the foster care system in the 60s and 70s and in terms of the experience of Aboriginal women in Canada, as well as for it's depictions of racism, and the human frailties that plague people of all races - love and uncertainty, self-doubt, loyalty to family vs. self-preservation, identity, hope and despair.
Either version of the novel is something I would recommend as a reader or as an educator - which you choose would be dependent on your purposes, the reading confidence of those who will be reading it, potential for triggering emotional overload and how much "extra" material the reader might want to or be ready to consider for context.
It is still a read that made me sad - but this time it was because we are also reviewing a play about the Highway of Tears, and I am saddened this time that despite much progress since the time Culleton first wrote this piece, there remains much, much work to be done, and there are still too many Cheryl Raintrees in Canada.
December 20, 2023
"All life dies to give new life"
I'm working with this book on my university research and I'm so glad to have chosen Beatrice Culleton as the author I want to work with. This book is extremely difficult to read at times because the things that happen make you feel extremely sad and disgusted with the world. I started reading with a smile on my face because I was so happy to be in contact with the book. I cried reading chapter 3 and felt my stomach turn while reading April's rape scene. Needless to say, this is a very heavy book that deals with very heavy subjects.
In one side of the story you can see Cheryl, a proud Metis girl trying to do something for native people, being proud of who she is and always trying to shut white supremacy up with her intelligence. In the other side you see April, much affected by that white society, refusing to accept her own identity and looking down on native people, pretty much viewing them the way the whites do, because she is so blinded by society and can't really be held accountable for thinking the way she does.
These two girls, sisters, go through so much together. They go through a lot while separated, even when I can't really feel they have ever been separated. The reading has made me think that they were always together even if only in thoughts. You see Cheryl's life falling apart only because she is a Metis, and you can see the same happening to April, but for different reasons.
This isn't a happy story. It isn't happy from the beginning, but you can't help but finish it with a bit of hope because April finally accepts who she is and is willing to pass on her sister's legacy. It's not a happy story, but it's healing in a sense I cannot very well put into words. It is also a great weapon for awareness and it gives voice to the people who have been silenced.
As a white person I see that I can never fully understand what has been told in this book, because I'll never pass through the things that are written in these pages. It's shocking to see that many years have passed since the story took place but things are pretty much the same. And that's what hurts the most. Native people are still seen as drunkards, people who live off welfare and "don't want to help themselves". The most painful feeling one can feel after reading this book is seeing that history is constantly repeating itself and whites are the ones to blame.
I'm working with this book on my university research and I'm so glad to have chosen Beatrice Culleton as the author I want to work with. This book is extremely difficult to read at times because the things that happen make you feel extremely sad and disgusted with the world. I started reading with a smile on my face because I was so happy to be in contact with the book. I cried reading chapter 3 and felt my stomach turn while reading April's rape scene. Needless to say, this is a very heavy book that deals with very heavy subjects.
In one side of the story you can see Cheryl, a proud Metis girl trying to do something for native people, being proud of who she is and always trying to shut white supremacy up with her intelligence. In the other side you see April, much affected by that white society, refusing to accept her own identity and looking down on native people, pretty much viewing them the way the whites do, because she is so blinded by society and can't really be held accountable for thinking the way she does.
These two girls, sisters, go through so much together. They go through a lot while separated, even when I can't really feel they have ever been separated. The reading has made me think that they were always together even if only in thoughts. You see Cheryl's life falling apart only because she is a Metis, and you can see the same happening to April, but for different reasons.
This isn't a happy story. It isn't happy from the beginning, but you can't help but finish it with a bit of hope because April finally accepts who she is and is willing to pass on her sister's legacy. It's not a happy story, but it's healing in a sense I cannot very well put into words. It is also a great weapon for awareness and it gives voice to the people who have been silenced.
As a white person I see that I can never fully understand what has been told in this book, because I'll never pass through the things that are written in these pages. It's shocking to see that many years have passed since the story took place but things are pretty much the same. And that's what hurts the most. Native people are still seen as drunkards, people who live off welfare and "don't want to help themselves". The most painful feeling one can feel after reading this book is seeing that history is constantly repeating itself and whites are the ones to blame.
April 18, 2012
This book has a lot of different issues in it. These range from people getting raped to people not getting along in foster homes and also parents and children fighting. I thought that this book was ok and I enjoyed some aspects of the book like when April and Cheryl would get together after being in their foster homes. Things I didn't like about the book was when April and Cheryl had to go to the DeRosiers and had to leave the Dions. I also didn't like it when April and Cheryls parents did't come to visit them and also the part when April got raped. One part i did like in the book was that April and Cheryl would write to each other and still communicate with each other even when they were in different foster homes and also after April got married to Bob then they still wrote to each other and shared their thoughts for a while. Overall this book wasn't too bad and each person in the book was expressed in a different way and also acted differently even within themselves throughout the book.
April 18, 2012
I thought that April Raintree was a very good book! It had a lot of action going on that always made me wanting to keep reading. I never wanted to put the book down, and that's very rare for me because i'm not usually much of a reader. But that just shows how much i enjoyed it. At times, its a very emotional book. April was half my age and she'd already gone more stuff than i ever hope i have to go through in my life. But April handled it very maturely and that's something to be proud of! Some of the themes that happen during this book are racism, rape, prostutition, alcoholism and all sorts of things. All in all, it was a very good book and i really recommend it!
March 10, 2024
I thought that April Raintree was an amazing book, that always had me sitting on the edge of my seat! It was a really inspirational book, and really hit me deep. It can be a very emotional book, dealing with emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual pain. The book is about 2 Métis sisters that are trying to make it through society, while facing so many problems because of their past and who they are. If you connect well to books easily because you put yourself in the characters shoes then this would be a book for you. I highly recommend this book.
April 18, 2012
I didn't especially enjoy this book. It is about two metis sisters who struggle with their identity and that of their culture. This book covers many uncomefortable issues (rape,prostitution,suicide,ect.) I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to read a "clean" story. People who have been abused or have issues with indians may find this book difficult as it slashed open many healed scars for me. These same people may find comfort in this book in seeing that they are not alone in their feelings.
June 1, 2013
I really enjoyed reading "April Raintree"! This book focuses on violence and racism. The characters are so dynamic and so true to life. I had felt sympathy for April and Cheryl, for all the events that have been ensued in their lives. I would recommend this for readers who enjoy reading dramatic and heart touching novels.
April 18, 2012
I thought was very good. i think who are into true stories would really like this book becuse it is based on a true story, this book always kept me interested there was not one page were i wanted to stop reading, my eyes were glued to the book the whole time, i think they should make a movie of this book because it does take place in Canada and i think the movie would be really interesting.
April 18, 2012
This was an amazing book. It really opens you up to realize all of these horrible things in the world and how people don't really do much to help. I hope people would read this book to see the really atrocious things that are happening. I highly recommend this book to anyone because it is just truly amazing and it makes you actually feel like you are almost in the scene.
April 18, 2012
I thought that April Raintree was an alright book. i liked how in the book it demonstrates the discrimination that white people have against aboriginal people and the discrimination that aboriginal people have against white people.
April 18, 2012
I thought that it was a good book at the beginning but near the end it got really crazy!!!
April 18, 2012
good book
April 18, 2012
i like this book because i didnt read it... it was read to me. id like it read to me again. THX TEACHER!!!!
April 18, 2012
Solid book ;)
May 18, 2021
A book that every single person should read at least once.
December 16, 2016
A story of reality. Colonization. 60s scoop. Systems afoul. Life. A poignant story of two sisters trying to survive barriers placed in front of them, year after year.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews