Shinchi's Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell

Title: Shinchi's Canoe

Author: Nicola I. Campbell

Illustrator: Kim LaFlave

Publish Date: December 2008

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 40pp

IBSN: 0888998570

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Picture Book

Annotation: Shi-shi-etko is returning to boarding school with her younger brother, Shin-chin, whom is six and has never been away from home before. Being forced to learn a new language and way of life, Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chin find ways to remember their native traditions. 

Plot Summary: Shi-shi-etko and her brother Shin-chin are part of the Native people living in Canada. They have to attend boarding school that is far from home.  Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chin do not want to go, nor does their family want to send them, but that is the law so they are forced.  At school, Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chin are not allowed to speak their native language, or to one another, so they sneak around in order to hold on to their native traditions. 

Personal Response: A very touching story that recounts the experiences of Native siblings sent away from their families to attend school.  I thought the overall tone of the story was very moving in that it showed the closeness of the siblings and the love of their Native traditions. The illustrations are soft, yet bold with feeling and capture the essence of the story and the bonds of the Native people.  I think this is a great read for the history of Native people living in Canada while evoking a heartfelt story about the love of family. 

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Honoring and remembering your heritage.

Age Range: 4-7

Subjects: First Nations, Native American, Indian, Residential Schools, Picture Book, Brothers and Sisters, Family Relationships, Love, Traditions

Series:

Shi-Shi Etko (2005)

Shinchi's Canoe (2008)

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Bonechiller by Graham McNamee

Title: Bonechiller

Author: Graham McNamee

Publish Date: September 2008

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Pages: 176pp

ISBN: 0553494279

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Supernatural

Annotation: Danny and his three friends encounter a soul-stealing beast that has been making young people disappear from their small town in Ontario, Canada.

Plot Summary: Danny and his father have moved to Harvest Cove, a small town just north of Barrie on the shores of Lake Simcoe. Danny has three close friends he hangs out with; Ash, Howie and Pike. It is the dead of winter, which means the weather is the coldest of the season.  One night, after being out with his three friends, Danny is running home, and he is bitten by something. It was too dark to see what it was, some sort of beast/monster that moves quickly.  The bite leaves him with ice in his veins, and later, with voices in his head, and nightmares that seem real.  As he becomes increasingly and mysteriously ill, he realizes that his life is in danger.  Danny and his friends decide they must kill this beast themselves as they have found disturbing statistics about kids who disappear every generation on the coldest winter nights.  While dealing with this beast and feeling ill, Danny is simultaneously dealing with the death of his mother, reconnecting with his father, and falling in love with Ash.

Personal Response: I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller/horror story—it was a wild ride set in a lackluster little town.  Filled with plenty of supernatural elements, along with a romance and what I found to be the most meaningful theme of the story in which was the reconnection of Danny with his father and his coming to terms with his mother’s death. 

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Coming to terms with death. Reconnecting. 

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Winter, Supernatural, Paranormal Relationships, Boxing, Kidnapping, Nightmares, Monsters, Native American, Death, Father and Son Relationships,

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