Heartbreaking! Knowing this was based on a true story was so sad, I'm glad Irene's dad did what he did and kept them safe ( )

This is a true story about the author's grandmother an Anishinaabe from Ontario. The book can be harsh and shows what boarding school was really like. Of course we know that things got much worse than the book talks about. It may still need to be explained to children who may not know about these atrocities. ( )

This book opens when a man is trying to take Irene and her brothers to a boarding school. She was taken to a residential school in Canada. She became homesick, terrified, and frightened by the abrupt change. When she arrives, she tells them her name and the person tells her that they are only known by numbers. It was the first of many traumatic events that happened while she was at boarding or residential schools. Her family actually decides not to send her back after she is home for a holiday. It will remind people who read this of the terrible events that took place at boarding schools. ( )

A heavy book for readers but one that has a great message and causes strong emotion. Definitely recommend for older children. Great way to start a discussion about native american boarding schools and how students their age were treated. ( )