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The Journal
By Lois Donovan
Lois Donovan’s new historical fiction, The Journal, begins in 2004 when thirteen-year-old Kami receives a bizarre offer involving a historic house in Edmonton, from her estranged grandfather. A move to Edmonton was definitely not part of Kami’s “best-year-ever” plan, ... Read more
Overview
Lois Donovan’s new historical fiction, The Journal, begins in 2004 when thirteen-year-old Kami receives a bizarre offer involving a historic house in Edmonton, from her estranged grandfather. A move to Edmonton was definitely not part of Kami’s “best-year-ever” plan, but her mother insists it is an opportunity to reconnect with the father she hasn’t heard from in two years. When Kami discovers a journal from 1929, newspaper clippings inside send Kami hurtling back in time where she becomes an eye-witness to two of Alberta’s biggest stories of the year. “Wop” May is about to make his historic Mission of Mercy flight and Emily Murphy is battling the Supreme Court of Canada to have women declared as “persons” in the British North America Act. But Kami has her own battles to fight when she discovers that her almond eyes are not exactly an asset at this time in Alberta’s history. Through Kami’s experiences in 1929 she comes to see her world with new eyes. Perfection, as it turns out, is not as perfect as she thought it was.
Lois Donovan
Lois Donovan was born in Montreal, but grew up primarily in Riverview, New Brunswick, prior to attending Acadia University in Nova Scotia. After completing her education degree in Edmonton, Lois taught there for three years before making Calgary her home.Her love of the beautiful Annapolis Valley sparked an interest in recreating the tragic tale of the Acadian people, which resulted in her first novel, Winds of L'Acadie. Lois is currently teaching and writing in Calgary where she lives with her husband and daughter.
Reviews
“Lois Donovan’s execution is spot on…This delightful book will challenge [readers] to question and consider alternate views of both historical and everyday events.” —Quill & Quire“The Journal would be an excellent addition to any Canadian school library, and could also be adapted well to film! Highly recommended.” —Carol Anne Shaw, author of Hannah & the Spindle Whorl“This novel will likely be popular with teachers and librarians who champion critical literacy or encourage social justice discussions in their classrooms…Highly recommended.”—CM magazine“A tour-de-force… This densely woven novel takes up topics of crucial importance and makes them accessible to high school students without oversimplifying them… E for Excellent” —Resource Links
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- Pages 204
- Published February 15, 2015
- Publisher Ronsdale Press
- Category Children's Fiction
- Keywords Prejudice & Racism , Post-confederation (1867-) , Time Travel
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