Charlie: A Home Child’s Life in Canada

The story of the 100,000 British children who came to Canada as child immigrants between 1870 and 1938 is not well known. Yet the descendants of these “Home Children” number over four million people in Canada today. The author is one of them. Charlie was her father.

Charlie is a compelling account of an English boy who is sent to an orphanage following the death of his father because his heartbroken mother is too poor to feed her children. Separated from his family, Charlie works his way out of poverty to eventually become a high-ranking member of the RCMP. Charlie’s story, like many others, is an inspiring part of our Canadian heritage, and will fascinate adults as well as children. Readers, especially the young, will appreciate the many period photographs that accompany Charlie’s story to give them a feel for the time.

Reviews & Awards:

1. Finalist: 2010–11 Ontario Library Association Red Maple Non-fiction Award
2. Finalist: 2011–12 Red Cedar Book Award
3. Starred selection: Canadian Children’s Book Centre BEST BOOKS for 2010
4. Finalist: Chocolate Lily Award (B.C.) 2010–11
5. Finalist: Hackmatack Award (Atlantic Canada) 2010–11
6. Runner-up for the National Chapter of Canada IODE Violet Downey Book Award, 2010
7. Long-listed for the Canadian Literature Roundtable Information Book of 2010

“Beryl Young’s story of her father fills a gap in Canadian history. That she does so in such an interesting and thoughtful way is a tribute to her skill as a writer. . . It is enjoyable for personal reading and as an interesting biography, as well as in classrooms as an excellent source of background material. Highly recommended.”
—CM Magazine

“A warm, candid look back at the life of a man who struggled to secure a place for himself in the new world. Along with the author’s gentle and fluid narrative, the tome is seasoned with a smattering of sepia photographs of days gone by.”
—The Chronicle-Herald, Halifax

Also by Beryl Young:

• Follow the Elephant