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tessaofthepnw's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the fact that her employers appreciated her, her work and that she was made to feel part of the family. I don't know how historically accurate that part was, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. And the stirrings of romance between Briney and Rosie was sweet, too. I certainly see where they got their love for each other from later on.
garion_kim24's review against another edition
3.0
- For a series that center around the historical background of Canadian history, I have to say this book is one of the most least historically-centered books of the series.
- This book follows a girl named Rosie who works as a maid for a family called the Bradley's and she follows them to Ottawa for their parliamentary job after talk of confederation begins to gain attraction.
- Even though talk of confederation is sprinkled around the story, and there are historical aspects such as the setting and the cultural qualities of early Canada, we don't exactly dive deeper into the political point of the book. Confederation at the time was highly debated amongst many people, but they are only partly stated in the book (considering how short this book is compared to other books in the series). There are different characters with different nationalities (French, Irish, Indigenous, etc) that could've had some spotlight and explored the deeper meaning behind the creation of Canada, but it was all rushed and ignored for the most part.
- Rosie is stated to be interested in politics, so the story could've drawn in deeper with her relationship with Bessie, (who is English..?), Jean-Louis (A French boy), and the other Irish kid (uhhh Brinen or whatever) and the impact of what confederation means to them.
- The ending was kinda eh, (haha get it, Canadian joke). The missing ring was a strange plot-line to end on.
- I don't know if this is too much for a middle grade book to handle, (I'm not sure if the series is intended to only be brief and an introduction or a history textbook written like a novel), but in my experience with other Dear Canada books, this does not dive into the history of Canada as much as I would have wanted.
- This book follows a girl named Rosie who works as a maid for a family called the Bradley's and she follows them to Ottawa for their parliamentary job after talk of confederation begins to gain attraction.
- Even though talk of confederation is sprinkled around the story, and there are historical aspects such as the setting and the cultural qualities of early Canada, we don't exactly dive deeper into the political point of the book. Confederation at the time was highly debated amongst many people, but they are only partly stated in the book (considering how short this book is compared to other books in the series). There are different characters with different nationalities (French, Irish, Indigenous, etc) that could've had some spotlight and explored the deeper meaning behind the creation of Canada, but it was all rushed and ignored for the most part.
- Rosie is stated to be interested in politics, so the story could've drawn in deeper with her relationship with Bessie, (who is English..?), Jean-Louis (A French boy), and the other Irish kid (uhhh Brinen or whatever) and the impact of what confederation means to them.
- The ending was kinda eh, (haha get it, Canadian joke). The missing ring was a strange plot-line to end on.
- I don't know if this is too much for a middle grade book to handle, (I'm not sure if the series is intended to only be brief and an introduction or a history textbook written like a novel), but in my experience with other Dear Canada books, this does not dive into the history of Canada as much as I would have wanted.
macklin's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very readable. Definitely the most go Canada of these that I have read so far which makes sense as it is about confederation. Indigenous people were brought up but quickly brushed aside.
whats_margaret_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Some good information about Canadian Confederation (which I did not know nearly enough about) but an otherwise boring going out into service/coming of age main plot.
hannahreads1070's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
soulwinds's review
4.0
4.5 stars for A Country of Our Own
Thoughts and Plot
In 1866 Rosie is all but forced to take her sister's place as a housemaid when the Bradley family up and move to Ottawa because the queen deemed it to be the capital of Canada. Rosie's sister is to be wed and cannot move with the family. But Rosie's parents need to income in order to feed and clothe all their children, so off Rosie is shipped to Ottawa with the wealthy Bradley's to live in a decent house in the middle of a mud-hole they call a street.
The only part I couldn't get over is the passing entry about the indigenous people asking for compensation for being moved off their land and onto a reservation in Ottawa and how the 'Missus' gaffed and said why should they as they"did not own the land just because they lived here." Seeing how they were there first...possession is 9/10s of the law, so to speak. While true that pople thought that way it really annoyed me and still does because that is how people think. Sure they were living here, but we'll just move them and take their land cause they don't own it. Disgusting. But I digress.
Rosie is brought alive by her all too human feelings of loneliness, happiness, and homesickness upon moving away. But the Bradley's are kind and tell her how helpful she is, and she is glad to be of use to the kind couple. Along with the cook, Brutus the dog, and eventually her cat, Rosie cuts out a nice life for herself. She makes friends with Briney, Jean-Louis, and eventually Bessie to take off the edge of missing her family. Together they weave a believeable story about a young lady who grows up away from her family, in service, during the birth of a country.
In Conclusion
A lovely and believeable story about a young lady during confederation in service to a politician. The book includes a lovely epilogue and historical notes.
Age range: middle school and up!
As the rest of the country gears up for Confederation, Rosie's life is about to be pulled apart.
It's 1866. The year before Confederation. And the year Rosie's life turns upside-down.
Karleen Bradford draws on her own experience as the wife of a diplomat in Ottawa and embassies around the world to craft this authentic portrait of a young girl displaced in the whirlwind of government
Thoughts and Plot
In 1866 Rosie is all but forced to take her sister's place as a housemaid when the Bradley family up and move to Ottawa because the queen deemed it to be the capital of Canada. Rosie's sister is to be wed and cannot move with the family. But Rosie's parents need to income in order to feed and clothe all their children, so off Rosie is shipped to Ottawa with the wealthy Bradley's to live in a decent house in the middle of a mud-hole they call a street.
The only part I couldn't get over is the passing entry about the indigenous people asking for compensation for being moved off their land and onto a reservation in Ottawa and how the 'Missus' gaffed and said why should they as they"did not own the land just because they lived here." Seeing how they were there first...possession is 9/10s of the law, so to speak. While true that pople thought that way it really annoyed me and still does because that is how people think. Sure they were living here, but we'll just move them and take their land cause they don't own it. Disgusting. But I digress.
Rosie is brought alive by her all too human feelings of loneliness, happiness, and homesickness upon moving away. But the Bradley's are kind and tell her how helpful she is, and she is glad to be of use to the kind couple. Along with the cook, Brutus the dog, and eventually her cat, Rosie cuts out a nice life for herself. She makes friends with Briney, Jean-Louis, and eventually Bessie to take off the edge of missing her family. Together they weave a believeable story about a young lady who grows up away from her family, in service, during the birth of a country.
In Conclusion
A lovely and believeable story about a young lady during confederation in service to a politician. The book includes a lovely epilogue and historical notes.
Age range: middle school and up!
As the rest of the country gears up for Confederation, Rosie's life is about to be pulled apart.
It's 1866. The year before Confederation. And the year Rosie's life turns upside-down.
Karleen Bradford draws on her own experience as the wife of a diplomat in Ottawa and embassies around the world to craft this authentic portrait of a young girl displaced in the whirlwind of government
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