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billd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story by David Alexander Robertson is a simple, short story in comic format but it's also a story that needs to be told if Canada is to deal with the residential school nightmare.
This is the story. A teacher wants his students to write about the residential school past and asks his students to interview an elder. He wants these questions answered -
- How did it affect First Nations people and how does it affect them today?
- How does your understanding the system change your view of First Nations people? Should it? Why or why not?
Daniel asks his friend April, a Cree, for help. She takes him to meet her Kokom, her grandmother. Kokom tells the story of her experience with the Residential school system. It's a story she has kept to herself until this time.
The residential school system was devised by the Canadian government and run by the Catholic Church. First Nation children were taken from their families, I guess for some reason, but from what has actually turned up, these children were abused, both physically and sexually in many many cases. It was a horror that has not yet been completed. The Canadian government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate.
The story told in this short comic is based on the true life story of Elder Betty Ross of the Cross Lake Indian Residential School. It's a terrifying story. How these poor children could have their childhood's stolen from them. Many died in the schools, many suffered trauma that carried into their adult lives. It's a story that needs to be told, to be read, to be understood. Difficult story, sensitively told, beautifully drawn. (4.0 stars)
This is the story. A teacher wants his students to write about the residential school past and asks his students to interview an elder. He wants these questions answered -
- How did it affect First Nations people and how does it affect them today?
- How does your understanding the system change your view of First Nations people? Should it? Why or why not?
Daniel asks his friend April, a Cree, for help. She takes him to meet her Kokom, her grandmother. Kokom tells the story of her experience with the Residential school system. It's a story she has kept to herself until this time.
The residential school system was devised by the Canadian government and run by the Catholic Church. First Nation children were taken from their families, I guess for some reason, but from what has actually turned up, these children were abused, both physically and sexually in many many cases. It was a horror that has not yet been completed. The Canadian government established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate.
The story told in this short comic is based on the true life story of Elder Betty Ross of the Cross Lake Indian Residential School. It's a terrifying story. How these poor children could have their childhood's stolen from them. Many died in the schools, many suffered trauma that carried into their adult lives. It's a story that needs to be told, to be read, to be understood. Difficult story, sensitively told, beautifully drawn. (4.0 stars)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, and Child abuse
dre_'s review against another edition
4.0
Selected by my son’s parent/child book club. My great gran and her sisters were residential school survivors, and this account is identical to theirs.
My son (14) is a graphic novel enthusiast, and has high praise for this one.
My son (14) is a graphic novel enthusiast, and has high praise for this one.
susan_dandar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
whitecat5000's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
The things that indigenous people went through in the 1800's and 1900's was just horrendous.
melchncookies's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Betty is a residential school survivor. She talks of the trauma she endured in a way that acknowledges but doesn’t sensationalize the violence. More importantly, she discusses how she survived and the importance of telling the truth to survive and heal. It’s a short graphic novel that should be mandatory reading.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Colonisation, Child death, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Racial slurs
hngisreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Such an important book. Robertson has a beautiful, delicate, but powerful way of telling the true story of Betty Ross, who suffered under the oppression of Residential Schools in Canada. The story is so important and one that’s not told enough.
aslavata's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
alliemackie's review against another edition
5.0
A short and heart-rending account of life in residential school. Highly recommend borrowing this one from the library.