The Halifax Explosion Diary
of Charlotte Blackburn
Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1917
by Julie Lawson
ISBN: 0-439-96930-1 Hardcover
256 pages
Ages 9 to 12
5 ¼ " x 7 5/8"
Following the massive Halifax explosion of Dec. 6, 1917, Charlotte writes in her diary of her search through the devastated city to find her twin brother Duncan after the rest of her family — except for her older brother, who is fighting in France in WWI — is killed.
An Excerpt from Charlotte's Diary
Thursday, December 6
Well it's seven in the morning and here I am, snuggled up in the comforter with the bedroom all to myself and no need to rush. I love winter hours.
The curtains are pulled back and the day is taking shape. There's a light frost on the ground, a haze of grey smoke drifting out of the chimneys and a mist rising off the harbour.
Dad's left for the dry dock. He was whistling as he went and I sang along in my head. "What's the use of worrying, It never was worthwhile, So pack up your troubles in your old kit bag, And smile, smile, smile . . . "
Edith's playing the Chopin waltz. Ruth's in the kitchen talking to Mum, and Duncan's outside getting more wood for the stove. He comes in, slams the door and drops the wood, so now Mum's scolding and Kirsty's barking at the fuss.
"Kirsty, how did you sneak in?" says Mum. "Duncan, put her outside!" More scolding.
"It's cold, Mum! Let her stay in!"
Nope. Poor Kirsty. Out she goes.
Now Edith and Ruth are saying goodbye. Mum the Detective asks Ruth why she's in such a hurry to get to school. Ruth says she has an essay to finish and wants to do it in the classroom where it's quiet.
I can picture her expression, Ruth acting the Diligent Student. Ha ha. Good thing I'm not downstairs. I'd probably start laughing and give away her secret. Well, now things are quiet. Not a sound from Duncan — he must be eating his breakfast. I better get my porridge before he takes all the cream. Then it's time for the milk run and smile, smile, smile!
***
I'm in a hospital, in a corridor, sitting on the floor.
What happened? How did I get here?
The corridor is jammed with people. Some covered with blood and black grime. Some with faces that don't look like faces. Others rushing around, too busy to answer questions.
Someone is screaming but most of the people are quiet . . . .
People keep going past down the corridor. They're crying, calling out names, looking for friends or relatives.
Where's Dad? Why doesn't he come for me?
***
Some people are lying on stretchers, not moving. Soldiers are sorting through them, and saying, "This one's for Chebucto." What do they mean? I have to keep writing to stay awake, or else they'll think I'm dead and take me away. Then no one will find me.
From Dear Canada: No Safe Harbour, text copyright © 2005 by Julie Lawson.
"No Safe Harbor is the best."
Anna H., Manitoba, Rating: 10
"This diary was very cool! It was sad. In part I wanted to cry. It made so much sense and actually made me believe she was real. I love the descriptions. This is my favourite book so far!"
Brianne C., Age 13, New Brunswick, Rating: 9
"This book made me cry. It’s so sad how it all happened, but in the end it turns out fine."
Jillian, Age 12, Quebec, Rating: 10
"No Safe Harbour is one of the best books I have ever read."
Anna H., Age 9, Manitoba, Rating: 10
"I love the book because it has a lot of exciting parts."
Katelyn H., Age 11, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"I love No Safe Harbour! It's very, very interesting! I hope you keep on writing these books!"
Kerstin L., Age 9, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"I love No Safe Harbour, but what really made me sad was that the Halifax explosion really did happen, and it made me cry thinking about all the lost souls."
Ashleigh G., Age 10, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"I loved this book. It made me cry with sadness, but also joy!"
Mariana C., Age 11, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I read this book once and then over again because it was so outstanding. This is the best book I have ever read because you feel as if you’re facing the explosion first hand. I think this is the greatest book ever, out of the series. I give it a ten because it is easy to understand, and I love the character’s point of view on things. I think this book teaches you that you life can change in a second just like everyone’s life did in this book. I learned that we are very fortunate to be alive, and not in Halifax in the time of the explosion."
Kara F., Age 12, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"This is my fave one. I love it and I was sooo sad while I was reading it too."
Stephanie E., Age 12, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"No Safe Harbour was the best book I've read in years! And I love to read and have read almost all the Dear Canada books. No Safe Harbour was so detailed and so real, I felt as if I was at Charlotte's side, and every once in a while I felt as if I was Charlotte! And when Charlotte found out her family was dead, I wept for days and finished the book faster than I thought (1 day). I applaud Julie Lawson's work and hope I too can one day write as well as her."
Selina M., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"It rocks! It's sad and has drama in it. It takes place an hour away from where I live. It was the first Dear Canada book I have ever read, and it was the best! These books are the BEST!!!!!"
Chelsey R., Age 11, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"I really liked the book. It was sad in some parts and almost made me cry (actually it did)."
Kayla Lynne K., Age 14, Ontario, Rating: 10
"No Safe Harbour was sad, imaginative, and I really felt like I was there! This is a must-read!"
Sophie C., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I thought this was one of the best books in the whole series so far because it really got me into the mindset of Charlotte and how she thought. I liked her and her family. They seemed very real. I got so into the book that I cried like I had lost my own family, and I hurt when Charlotte hurt, and I was happy when she was happy. This book totally gets 5 stars."
Christine K., Age 14, Alberta, Rating: 10
"It was the best because it was so sad and she lost so much."
Amiee, Age 15, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This book was awesome! It is my favourite of all of the Dear Canada books (I own all 15). It was really sad, but also very well written. Dear Canada is one (if not THE) best series I have ever read."
Bubba G., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This is the best Dear Canada book yet. The Halifax explosion was a very memorable time in history, and No Safe Harbour helped me understand what it was like for someone my age to be going through something like that."
Kayliee J., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I loved this book. It made me cry, and it made me happy in the end. I love all the Dear Canada books; they're all so exciting and interesting."
Jordy S., Age 13, Ontario, Rating: 10
"No Safe Harbour was my absolute fav Dear Canada book. I read it in less than 4 hours! I could not put it down! It was amazing, but it was also really sad too."
Marie Josee B., Age 11, Quebec, Rating: 9
"It was the most emotional and most sad book in the series! I loved it!!!!!"
Shelly K., Age 10, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This book is one of my two favourite Dear Canada stories!"
Erin, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"I just love this book. I have read it 5 times and every time it has made me cry."
Jennifer W., Age 13, Manitoba, Rating: 10
"This book is very well written. This book has many exciting, inspirational parts. I recommend this book to everyone who loves to read. It doesn't matter how old you are, it will capture everyone’s hearts."
Riley M., Age 14, Ontario, Rating: 9
"I think No Safe Harbour is the best book I ever read because it is so sad."
Taylor B., Age 11, Alberta, Rating: 10
"I love this book! It’s really good and sad. This book makes me want to read more Dear Canada books. "
Jana C., Age 13, Manitoba, Rating: 10
"I loved this book! I cried of course because Charlotte had many losses in her life at the time. It was a heartwarming diary and I will never forget the story of Charlotte Blackburn."
Ali S., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"This is one of my favourite books. I've read it about a million times, and I cry every time I read it. Charlotte's story is so real, I feel like I'm her best friend by the end."
Alicia N., Age 13, Ontario
"I loved it. Please write more of these books. It was very interesting — a must read! "
Emma, Age 10, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I loved it! It was so exciting, so real. It was the best book I have ever read. I can’t stop thinking about it. It seemed like I was there. I’m reading every Dear Canada book I can find. It has also improved my reading skills."
Haley O, Age 12, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"It is so beautiful! I cried so much while reading it."
Abigail M., Age 10, New Brunswick, Rating: 10
"This is my fave book. I have read almost all the books. I think that Charlotte is really brave to go through all that. I think that the details in the book are so good, I felt like I was right at Charlotte’s side. I read a lot of books and this one is definitely one of my favourites!"
Olivia T., Age 10, Nova Scotia, Rating: 10
"I think this book was awesome because I could feel what Charlotte was going through, and I think it was an all-around good book also because of all the description."
Jacqueline L., Age 12, Alberta
"I love this book. I've read all the Dear Canada books and can't wait for more. When I flipped the page and found what Charlotte's family wrote I cried. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!"
Courtney M., Age 11, Alberta, Rating: 10
"No Safe Harbour is one of the best books I read. I cried twice."
Hope T., Age 10, British Columbia, Rating: 10
"This was by far the best Dear Canada book. I couldn't put it down, and it made me cry!"
Emily D., Age 12, Ontario, Rating: 10
"I think it's a reeeeeeally cool book! I'm sure my brother thinks so too, because he's always looking over my shoulder. It's almost like you're there, or putting on her shoes. I hope you think of more of them!"
Jessica B., Age 12, British Columbia, Rating: 10
|
