When We Were Alone by David A. Robertson

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When We Were Alone By David A. Robertson (2017)

General Resume

When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother's garden, she begins to notice things that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long braided hair and beautifully colored clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where all of these things were taken away. [1]

When We Were Alone.jpg

Summary

The book is accessible to young readers and also speaks powerfully to adults. Featuring a story within a story, the book opens with a Nósisim (my grandchild), asking her Nókom (her grandmother) about things that are different about her. The girl notices that her grandmother wears colorful clothes "like she dresses in rainbows," that she wears her hair in a long braid, speaks in Cree, http://carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com/2019/10/when-we-were-alone-review-and-giveaway.htmland spends time with her family. When a young girl helps tend to her grandmother’s garden, she begins to notice things about her grandmother that make her curious. Why does her grandmother have long braided hair and wear beautifully coloured clothing? Why does she speak another language and spend so much time with her family? As she asks her grandmother about these things, she is told about life in a residential school a long time ago, where everything was taken away. When We Were Alone is a story about a difficult time in history and, ultimately, a story of empowerment and strength. [2]

Why You Should Read This Book

Spare, poetic, and moving, this Cree heritage story makes a powerful impression. [3] This book is such a great introduction to residential schools. It's gentle portrayal of grandmother and granddaughter sharing grandmother's story of her experience is accessible for younger readers while older readers can infer the journey to reconciliation and witness grandmother's resilience that carries her to old age. [4]


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