ANANGOKAA

When a teen’s life is forever changed by an outsider, she must face the costs of her new friendship in this historical novel.

In 1804, 14-year-old Flora MacCallum comes to the New World with her family, looking for hope and new opportunities. In the Old World, their home in Scotland, they faced persecution from the English. This New World, Baldoon, is going to offer a fresh start and a better future. But then everyone grows sick, including Flora, and when she wakes up, her parents and closest sister are dead. Now, Flora is mute and her sister Isobel is constantly frustrated with everything she does. Flora’s brother, Hugh, is trying to do his best for their family, but Isobel disagrees with him (“I’m weary, Hugh….Weary of wolves, bears, snakes startling us from the path. I have a pit of fear always burning in my belly”). She, along with the whole community, is also fearful of the Chippewa living across the river. Meanwhile, Hugh gives Flora a task that will help the family: tending the cows in the barn. One day, she meets a Chippewa boy named Niigaani. At first, Flora is scared of Niigaani, but she soon finds that his visits bring her solace from her loneliness, and she begins to look forward to seeing him. As winter sets in, Hugh takes the family to live on an island for safety. While Flora’s friendship with Niigaani develops, she will soon have to face the consequences of her closeness with an outsider. Alam has created a rich text that fully transports the characters to the world of Canada in 1804. The author has clearly done her research and presents information in a way that highlights and supports the story and players. Flora is an engaging protagonist whose fears, hopes, struggles, and teen angst are palpable throughout the tale. Her siblings are relatable, and their love for one another and conflicts are understandable and realistic given the awful circumstances they find themselves facing. Their plight and Flora’s absorbing story fill the pages of this wonderful book, which maintains a steady pace and delivers a satisfying ending.

Deep and dramatic, this engrossing family story will haunt readers.