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Free as a Bird
Submitted by dmacdonell on Sun, 2009-10-04 13:59
Free as a Bird
By Gina McMurchy-Barber
- 978-1-55488-447-6
- February 2010
- 176pp, Paperback
- $12.99 CAD
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As Ruby Jean herself says: "Can't say why they called it a school -- a school's a place you go for learnin an then after you get to go home. I never learnt much bout ledders and numbers, an I sure never got to go home." It's here in an institution that opened in 1878 and was originally called the Provincial Lunatic Asylum that Ruby Jean learns to survive isolation, boredom, and every kind of abuse. Just when she can hardly remember if she's ever been happy, she learns a lesson about patience and perseverance from an old crow. |
A powerful and intense story about how recently our society considered some children to be worthless and expendable and a reminder that this is still the the case in many places.
Canadian Children's Book NewsRuby Jean's unique voice coupled with the hardships thrown her way make for a poignant novel. Lessons of hope, perseverance and self-restraint are told by someone who was simply en retard.
What If? MagazineRuby Jean’s story at Woodlands is terrible because it’s so true.
Canadian Teacher magazine