Angelique: Autumn Alone. Book Three. (Our Canadian Girl). Cora Taylor. Illustrated by Greg Banning and Janet Wilson. Toronto, ON: Penguin Canada, 2005. 106 pp., pbk., $8.99. ISBN 0-14-305008-7. Subject Heading: Métis-Juvenile fiction. Grades 3-7 / Ages 8-12. Review by Deborah Mervold. *** /4 Reviewed from uncorrected proofs.

excerpt:

Joseph looked at her, smiling smugly.

That was puzzling. Normally, he would have been furious and she would have had a terrible time getting him back to Maman. He was up to something, and Angelique didn’t like it.

“I know something you don’t know,” he taunted.“Not likely.” She doubted he had anything up his sleeve to bother her, but if he did, pretending she didn’t care was the fastest way to get him to tell. They had reached the top of the riverbank now, and Angelique could see her mother climbing into the cart in front of the Rosses’ cabin. Joseph’s pony was tied behind and Papa was looking around impatiently.

“Yes,” said Joseph triumphantly as they ran to the cart. “I heard Papa telling Michel Dumas that Maman was not well enough to go on the hunt. And . . . ,” he paused triumphantly, “he said that you would be staying behind to look after her!”

Angelique: Autumn Alone is the third book in the “Our Canadian Girl” series which focuses on Angelique, the young Metis girl. It is now 1870, and Angelique is again looking forward to going with her family on the buffalo hunt. In the previous book, Angelique: The Long Way Home, problems occurred with her father’s young horse, Michif. Angelique is instrumental in restoring Michif back to health. There is some concern whether he will be a good buffalo pony in this hunt.

     Angelique has to help look after her younger brother, Joseph, who is always getting them into trouble. When her mother is ill because of complications from a pregnancy, Joseph is only too happy to inform Angelique that she will have to miss the hunt and stay home with their mother. On top of everything else, school is starting, and the priest is very insistent that the children speak proper French.

     Angelique’s life is full of adventure when her mother falls and Angelique must go to the neighbor’s for help. The only horse available is an untamed colt, but Angelique must make the journey. Then, they hear that someone has died in the buffalo hunt, and Angelique is worried that it is her father and Michif.

     The plot is very suitable for the intended audience. It is simple and yet interesting, true to the historical time period. The additional characters add colour to the story, characters such as the priest, Father Moulin, Angelique’s cousin, Theresa, who is being married at the beginning of this book, and the other community members. Gabriel and Madeline Dumont are also included in the book as real people who were part of this time period.

     Language is well chosen. There is a list of words for clarification included at the back of the book. Also included is a map of Canada indicating where the story takes place and a brief historical note putting the story into the time period for readers. Chapters are short, often ending on a high point to encourage continued reading. Drawings add to the enjoyment of the text.

     The series is recommended for school, public and personal libraries. This book is a good addition to the continuing story of Angelique and would make an excellent choice to read to students or have students read independently.

Recommended.

Deborah Mervold, a retired teacher librarian, educator and Resource Based Learning Consultant, lives in Shellbrook, SK.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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