Freedom to Read Week 2020 – Ronsdale Picks

Intellectual freedom is a guaranteed right to Canadian citizens and one that should never be taken for granted. Even though book censorship still occurs, it’s a tiny rate compared to other eras throughout history and in other parts of the world. Today, we bring attention to periods and places when knowledge was a restricted tool. By understanding and acknowledging these moments throughout history, we gain a greater appreciation of the freedom we have. To do this, we recommend the following books.

1. ‘The Railroad of Courage’ by Dan Rubenstein and Nancy Dyson

Born on a cotton plantation in South Carolina, twelve-year-old Rebecca knows only slavery. When Grower Brown decides to sell her father to a plantation downriver, Rebecca convinces her parents to run away with her on the Underground Railroad to Canada. Led by the famous Harriet “Moses” Tubman, the family hides in coffins, rides a handmade raft through alligator-infested waters, and pumps hand cars across Illinois amidst a blizzard.

As slaves, Rebecca and her family were not allowed to read or write. In the passage below, a compassionate abolitionist teaches Rebecca and her mother the literacy skills they never received on the plantation.

Missus Barrier laid some books on a table. We stood beside her and watched as she pointed to a picture, then a word, then back to the picture. Then she asked us to try. My ma took some encouragement, but I could do it easily. I was eager to learn the alphabet, too. What would it be like to open a book and understand all the words written inside? I asked Missus Barrier, “Are the letters and words the same for white people and black people?”

She laughed, “Yes, Rebecca, they’re the same for all of us. When you learn to read, it doesn’t matter what colour your skin is. Your mind will be free to imagine anything you wish, to fly up into the clouds or travel around the world. I think you’ll love being able to read. It’ll be harder for you, Deborah, because you’re older, but you’ll learn. Don’t worry.”

Missus Barrier came every afternoon, and in the evening, I practised words, over and over. I printed out the letters and traced them. I closed my eyes, trying to remember their shape. One day I asked Missus Barrier to show me the letters in my name.

She printed out the letters of my name, “R E B E C C A.” That night I wrote my name in a small book Missus Carpenter gave me. I was proud as I traced the letters carefully and said my name out loud. Someday I would write a letter to Miss Clarissa and tell her everything that had happened since I ran away from the plantation.

Buy Railroad of Courage: https://ronsdalepress.com/books/railroad-of-courage/

2. ‘Louis Riel: Let Justice Be Done’ by David Doyle

Louis Riel, prophet of the new world and founder of the Canadian province of Manitoba, challenged Canadian politics, history and religion since the early years of Confederation. In Canada’s most important and controversial state trial, Riel was found guilty of “high treason,” sentenced to hang and executed on November 16, 1885. Was the execution of Riel the hanging of a traitor? Or the legal murder of a patriot and statesman?

During his trial, Riel was forbidden to speak in court and was unable to defend himself against his charges. Any trace of his testimony was censored by those who wished to silence him. Here, now, weaving together Riel’s words, writing, and historical research, David Doyle provides Louis Riel with the opportunity for the first time to give his evidence and assume his proper place in Canada’s history.

Buy Louis Riel: Let Justice Be Done: https://ronsdalepress.com/books/louis-riel/

3. ‘Song of Batoche’ by Maia Caron

In another volume based on Louis Riel, Song of Batoche features raw wilderness on the brink of change. It centres around the lives of seven unforgettable characters as they converge, each one with secrets: Louis Riel and his tortured wife Marguerite; a duplicitous Catholic priest; Gabriel Dumont and his dying wife Madeleine; a Hudson’s Bay Company spy; and the enigmatic Josette Lavoie — granddaughter of the famous chief Big Bear, whom Riel needs as an ally. As the Dominion Army marches on Batoche, Josette and Gabriel must manage Riel’s escalating religious fanaticism and a growing attraction to each other. Song of Batoche is a timeless story that traces the borderlines of faith and reason, obsession and madness, betrayal and love.

Song of Batoche is set during a time and place where only men were given books, pencils, and paper. The rebellious Josette not only contravenes this notion herself, she inspires other women to consider the possibility of literacy. In the passage below, Josette attempts to discuss reading with Louis Riel’s wife Marguerite, who has just arrived in Batoche with Riel.

“Did you bring books?”

Marguerite looked down, confused. “Louis has brought some.”

Josette’s eyes came alive for the first time. “Which ones have you read?”

“Women do not read.” It was for men to do the thoughts and read the words. Then an awful thing occurred to her. Women in the Saskatchewan could read. And write. She felt she could not breathe, that she was too much under the eyes of those who saw her as a country simpleton.

Buy Song of Batoche: http://ronsdalepress.com/books/song-of-batoche/

4. ‘The Old Brown Suitcase’ by Lillian Boraks-Nemetz

This novel narrates the absorbing story of a young girl who survived the Holocaust against all odds. At age fourteen, Slava comes to Canada with her parents and sister and a suitcase filled with memories of a lost childhood, memories that now haunt her new life. She cannot forget the hunger, stench and disease in the Warsaw Ghetto, nor the fear and humiliation of being incarcerated behind a high brick wall.

Slava’s story in The Old Brown Suitcase reminds us to never forget the horrors of the Holocaust while continuing to be vigilant about defending our guaranteed rights.

Buy The Old Brown Suitcase: http://ronsdalepress.com/books/the-old-brown-suitcase/

5. ‘Like Joyful Tears’ by David Starr

This is a gripping novel, set in east Africa, about two women forced to navigate a broken refugee system in a human crisis the world has forgotten. Victoria Deng was sixteen when her school was attacked during the Second Sudanese Civil War. Only Victoria and her sister Mary survived. Rescued by rebel soldiers shepherding hundreds of children across the desert to a refugee camp. Twenty years later, restless Vancouver student Abena Walker flies to Ukiwa Refugee Camp in Kenya as a teacher. There, while teaching Victoria’s two children, Abena learns that the family will soon be in grave danger. She resolves to defy camp rules and help them immigrate to Canada and reunite with Victoria’s sister. Outwitting the system will risk both their lives.

In the Ukiwa Refugee Camp, some parents do not allow their children to attend the camp-operated schools, out of fear and suspicion of Western teaching. In Like Joyful Tears, a mother and her two children risk the possible backlash from their abusive father and sneak into the camp school to learn how to read and write.

Buy Like Joyful Tears: https://ronsdalepress.com/like-joyful-tears/