Connected by family, situation, and location, Cass and Beatrice find and help each other across the space of 150 years. Both girls have lost their mothers, and are struggling with a new stepmother, and the loss of their secure place in the family home. It is the beginning of winter in Canada, a few weeks before Christmas, and the holiday brings troubles to a boil for both girls. Fortunately, Cass and Beatrice both receive support from other family members, from each other across time, and from budding romances. Beatrice has her Cree grandmother and lives during a time of frontier and social integration, and Cass who lives in the present time has her mother's sister nearby. This book is a little predictable but is very enjoyable on many levels particularly for the historical information that is interwoven through the story about the life of the people living in Canada during the 19th century. There are many Cree Indian words sprinkled throughout the book with a glossary at the back. Though I could guess that everything would resolve positively I still wanted to know who Beatrice finally marries, and whether life at home improves for sassy Cass.
My rating 3 and a half stars.
My rating 3 and a half stars.
Books by Margaret Buffie available through the Library's online catalog.
Margaret Buffie's website.
