The Plains of Abraham Diary
of Geneviève Aubuchon
Québec, New France, 1759
by Maxine Trottier
ISBN: 0-439-96762-7 Hardcover
216 pages
Ages 9 to 12
5 ½" x 7 5/8"
Geneviève is terrified that her beloved Québec will fall into British hands . . . and that her brother will not survive the fighting.
An Excerpt from Geneviève's Diary
le 16 juillet 1759
A note came from Mère Esther. Mme Claire wept aloud as she read that Mère Charlotte and Mère Jeryan had both died at Hôtel-Dieu the night of the bombing and had been buried in the garden cemetery of the hospital.
The poor, poor sisters, to have died away from their home.
A flag of truce was raised by our French army today, so that a message could be sent to the British. It was made clear that we will never cease fighting or surrender. We will never give up Québec.
le 17 juillet 1759
Chegual and Étienne have returned unharmed. They were part of a war party — how hard that is to write — of Abenaki warriors who took three British prisoners who are now in the custody of our French officers.
The British prisoners said that Wolfe’s army has not more than nine or ten thousand men in it and that he will not try a frontal attack, Étienne told us as they ate in the kitchen.
“And might you believe this?" he went on, his mouth full of bread and cheese. “An old man and woman are bringing refreshments to the British daily. Traitors!" His table manners have never been courtly, but I was so pleased to see him that he could have stuffed the entire loaf in his mouth and I would not have cared.
I said they must be lies, and asked whether he expected the truth from the British.
The firing has slackened on both sides now, which makes it easier to think. What if those old people are giving aid to the enemy? They are traitors, but what sort of things must have happened to them that would let them give comfort to the British?
From Dear Canada: The Death of My Country, copyright © 2005 by Maxine Trottier.
"The Death of My Country is a very good book. I enjoyed reading it…"
Selina M., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 9
"I thought this book was really good and sad. I recommended it to almost all of my friends, and I’m so excited to read another Dear Canada book!"
Hannah H., Age 9, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I loved this book. It's my favourite Dear Canada book so far! It's sad, but I REALLY enjoyed reading it!"
Jordy S., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I am reading this book for the second time now. It’s very good, and I would read it again."
Jillian, Age 12, Quebec, Rating: 10
"This is a wonderful book and should appeal to anyone who is interested in learning about what it was like in Quebec in 1759. I think I should read it at least 5 times, but that won't be today because I got it at the library. It is a good book for ages 7 to 15, being so interesting. There is a lot of hardship, though. I think anyone would enjoy meeting the wonderful characters, including Genevieve herself. So, read on!"
Julia C., Age 9, Newfoundland and Labrador, Rating: 10
"This book was heartbreaking… I could hardly finish…."
Alecia G., Age 9, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This is my very first Dear Canada book. I enjoyed reading it. I can’t wait to read more Dear Canada books!"
Kate A., Age 7, Ontario, Rating: 4
"It's really good. One of the best Dear Canada books yet!"
Madeline C., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
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