The Acadian Diary of Angélique Richard
Grand-Pré, Acadia, 1755
by Sharon Stewart
ISBN: 0-439-97421-6 Hardcover
208 pages
Ages 9 to 12
5 ½" x 7 5/8"
Angélique Richards life is turned upside down when she and her family, along with the people of Grand-Pré, are forced by the British to leave their peaceful home in Acadia. Will she ever see her home again?
An Excerpt from Angelique's Diary
Le 10 octobre 1755
Á bord du Leynord
Below the hill, I could see the mouth of the river all jammed with ships. Longboats scuttled like water beetles between them and the shore — longboats loaded with people!
A party of soldiers came tramping along. One pointed his musket at me and said I must hurry or be shot. I suppose he did not mean it, for the others laughed as I took to my heels. At last I caught up with a crowd moving slowly down to the beach. The road was choked with two-wheeled carts piled high with household goods. On some, ailing grandparents rode. Women, many carrying their babies, struggled to pull them along. Everyone, even the tiniest children, carried bundles on their backs. Babies wailed, and a low moan rose up from the people, the sound of weeping and praying.
I wormed my way through the crowd, stopping my ears when people begged my help. I felt wicked, but I had to find my family! At last I reached the shore, which was jammed with people and carts and baggage. As longboats came aground, soldiers forced people aboard them at musket point. They went, weeping, leaving most of their belongings behind. Worse, far worse, than the weeping was the screaming when those who were together were forced aboard different boats.
I swear I will never forget these sights, these sounds, until I am cold in my grave. My hand cramps and my heart is sick with sorrow. I can write no more.
From Dear Canada: Banished from Our Home, text copyright © 2004 by Sharon Stewart.
"This book is great. It's so sad. Talk about catching a reader's attention. I read it in less than 3 hours! Sharon Stewart makes history fun, and I'd recommend it to anyone, whether you like history or not. Dear Canada also teaches you a lot about Canada."
Cait-Lynn D., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"It is a really good book, and I enjoyed it. Some parts made me cry. Someday I want to become an Acadian girl and live like they did."
Kayla K., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I think Banished from Our Home is a good book. Angélique faces things that she does not want to happen, and they do happen, and after all the sadness it ends happily. This is my favourite Dear Canada book yet!"
Michele C., Age 13, Manitoba, Rating: 9
"This book was the best!!!! I read it in class as a lesson, and I recommend Banished from Our Home to everyone who reads this!!"
Stephanie E., Age 12, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"This is an extremely close replica of my husband's family tree. This is an awesome book that I have added to my family tree files."
Susan R., Age 45, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"I thought it was a wonderful book. It was a very sad book. It almost made me cry. It makes you think of what dreadful things happened back then. I can hardly imagine. I can't wait to read the rest of the series."
Emily M., Age 11, Saskatchewan, Rating: 10
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