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As an orphaned white boy in a school full of Native students, fourteen-year-old Jonny Joe isn't like any of the others at the island Redemption Residential School off the west coast. When the advances of Father Gregory disturb Jonny, he joins another boy in an escape to a mountain cave. But when they leave the cave, the world as they knew it no longer exists.
The boys travel to a native village in a sheltered bay, where Jonny becomes skilled in the art of carving. When a steamship enters the cove, the party of sightseers brings a disease that annihilates most of the people in the village. Meanwhile, Jonny has learned the secret of his past and when he returns to the present, Jonny carves a totem pole to honour the members of the village.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
July 19, 2014 -
Formats
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781459719361
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781459719361
- File size: 501 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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June 1, 2014
Gr 7 Up-Redemption Residential School is known for its harshness, and Jonny and Ernie, the only boys who remain there over the summer break, escape the destructive environment of the camp and find refuge in a cave. They wake up in an alternate time and meet an elderly Native American named Kalaku, a protector who has appeared to Jonny for years. The boys grow and mature during the time they spend with Kalaku and the Haida people. The alternate world of the Haida community is abundantly portrayed. The author includes end notes about the Haida people and totem poles as well as a Chinook glossary. Unfortunately, the author does not provide any information about whether or not white people did, in fact, attend Haida ceremonies, as is portrayed in the book. One of the priests at the school is a sexual predator, and while most of his abuse is alluded to, there are a few disturbing scenes. Maruno tells a well-realized story, complete with brave young men and villains, which would have been enhanced with more detailed author notes.-Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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