The Ukrainian Internment Diary
of Anya Soloniuk
Spirit Lake, Quebec 1914
by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
ISBN: 978-0-439-95692-5 Hardcover
227 pages
Ages 8-12
5 ˝" x 7 5/8"
Anya and her family have made a difficult journey to Canada in search of a new life. But soon after they arrive in the land they hoped would welcome them, World War I is declared, and Ukrainians are considered “enemy aliens” — many of them sent away to internment camps. Anya must find a way to deal with the challenges in the land she now calls home.
An Excerpt from Anya's Diary
Monday, May 18, 1914
Mama insisted that I go to school today. I didn’t want to walk alone because I am afraid of that man who called us names. I knocked on Stefan’s door but no one answered so I had to walk by myself.
Unfortunately, that awful man was leaning against the door of his flat with a smirky look on his face. I had no choice except to pass him because there was too much traffic to cross over to the other side. I kept my eyes on the sidewalk and walked as close to the road as I dared. Just as I passed, I heard a smacking noise and then I looked down and saw a splat of greeny-yellow. It had barely missed me. I walked fast, keeping my head down. Why would he do that? He doesn’t even know me.
When I went back out to the schoolyard, I saw that Slava was there and she was in the clean clothing that Baba and Mrs. Sonechko found for her on Saturday night. Those Canadian girls pretended they didn’t see her. I know their names now: Ellen, Louisa and Annie (!!!).
I have to help Baba with the supper and then I’m going up to the roof where it’s safe. I’ll write more later.
Tuesday, May 19, 1914
Miss Boyko is teaching us a song in English. It is “God Save the King.” We need to know it by Friday because that is Empire Day, which is sort of like the King’s namesday. We stayed inside over recess and lunch to practise.
These are the girls in my class:
— Mary and Slava you already know.
— Sofia, Pasha and Olga are sisters. Sofia is twelve but she’s very short, Pasha cries a lot, and Olga pinches.
— Genya is about ten — I think — and her English is rather good.
— Natalka has been in Canada for four years but she is not bright. She struggles with the Ukrainian classes as much as the English lessons. She is a friendly girl and has a singing voice like a nightingale.
— Marusia is friendly and she’s smart too. She is also a good singer.
— Stefania has been sick more days than not so I don’t know her very well. She’s eight years old. She was at school today but her throat hurt too much to sing.
The only Canadian girl whose name I know besides the mean girls is Maureen. She is picked on by the mean girls too. Is it horrible for me to admit that I am relieved that they don’t only pick on Ukrainian girls?
Maureen seems lonely and sad. I didn’t realize until today that she lives on Grand Trunk Street not too far from me!
From Dear Canada: Prisoners in the Promised Land. Copyright © 2007 by Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch. All rights reserved.
Send us the first review of this book!
|
