The 1837 Rebellion Diary of Arabella Stevenson
Toronto, Upper Canada, 1837
by Janet Lunn
ISBN: 0-439-96967-0 Hardcover
206 pages
Ages 9-12
5 ½" x 7 5/8"
After her father is jailed for taking part in the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion in Toronto, Arabella’s upper-class mother is unable to cope. It is up to twelve-year-old Arabella to take care of herself and to pray for her father’s safe return.
An Excerpt from Arabella's Diary
Friday night, 8 June
Dear Diary,
The soldiers took Papa and twenty-six other rebels from the gaol today to go to Kingston. They left this afternoon from the Yonge Street wharf. I could not stay away. I sneaked (again) from the house and ran straight to the wharf.
I almost wish I had not gone, it was so horrible. A great many people came to stare and shout horrid things — I daresay they were at the hanging of Mr. Lount and Cousin Matthews. But many were the families of the prisoners. It was easy to see which ones they were because they were like me, trying to reach the men, to take their hands once before — oh the prisoners — oh, Diary, the poor prisoners! my poor, poor Papa!
They looked so sad. They were brave, I know they were, but they looked so sad! They were bound together in heavy iron chains and those hateful soldiers were making them walk too fast up into the steamship. No matter how I pushed my way through the crowd, I could not reach Papa. I waved to him and I called and called. I think he might have heard me because he did look back once. He looked very brave. I shall confess to you, Diary, that I could scarcely see after that because I could not keep from crying. I tried hard not to, but I could not stop myself. Someone put his arm around me and there was Mr. D. He came down to the wharf so that Papa would know there was someone who cared about him. I know he did. I hope, I hope, I hope that Papa knew Mr. D. was there and that I was there. No one should have to go off to the entire other side of the world without knowing that. I am so glad that I bought Papa the stationery so he can write to me. If he wishes to. If they allow him to.
From Dear Canada: A Rebel's Daughter. Text copyright © 2006 by Janet Lunn. All rights reserved.
"I’m about halfway through A Rebel’s Daughter, and so far it is really good. It’s sad the terrible circumstances Arabella had to live though."
Kelsi G., Age 11, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"This book is good. I am still reading it, but it is the only one left that I haven’t read in the Dear Canada series."
Victoria P., Age 10, Ontario, Rating: 9
"I really liked this book. I sympathized with Arabella throughout the whole thing. It's a horrible feeling, being alone, and she was like it for the longest time. I was disgusted by the way her mother treated her, and I believe she needed a serious wake up call. Overall this was very good book."
Nikita F., Age 14, Newfoundland and Labrador, Rating: 10
"This book is a real page-turner! I purchased it at one of my School Book Fairs and I AM SO GLAD I DID! The book is sooo GOOD and makes me happy to read it! I CANNOT WAIT TO READ ANOTHER BOOK FROM THE DEAR CANADA SERIES!"
Michelle M., Age 10, Ontario, Rating: 8
"This book is so sad but it is so good. Please write more like this book and lots of others."
Desiree R., Age 11, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"A Rebel's Daughter is a really good book, considering that not many know about the 1837 Rebellion (not me, at any rate). This is one of the best Dear Canada books in the series. I'm looking forward to reading this book again!"
Desiree R., Age 11, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"This was a GREAT book. I recommend it. I read it in 5 days and couldn't put it down, and I felt like I was in the book. Another book I like is No Safe Harbour."
Stephanie E., Age 12, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"This book was amazing and so touching. I recommend it!"
Angel C., Age 13, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"This book rocks! All these books rock!"
Ally B., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"So far the book is the greatest book I have ever read. I’m going to read more right now."
Haley O., Age 12, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"This book was AWESOME!!!! I like it so much, it really described the situation."
Laura T., Age 14, New Brunswick, Rating: 9
"I love this book sooo much! I got so into it that it took 3 hours to read. Some parts were sad. It is definitely a must-read! I hope Janet Lunn writes another in the series. "
Rachelle B., Age 13, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"Another awesome book in the Dear Canada series! I waited so long for it, and to find that one of my favourite authors wrote it was just an added bonus. I loved Arabella's pluck and spirit, and I can't wait to see the next Dear Canada book that comes out. It was also really neat to learn about a part of history that I had never known about before."
Amy W., Age 16, Manitoba, Rating: 10
"This was so far the best Dear Canada book I have ever read! But it also made me cry."
Marie Josee B., Age 11, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This book was the best. I am almost halfway through it. I bought it, and it still looks brand new. This book was worth the buy."
Stephanie H., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
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