I Am Not a Number
Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer, Authors
Gillian Newland, Illustrator
Second Story Press, Fiction, Oct. 4, 2016
Suitable for Ages: 7-11
Themes: Native people, Indigenous children, Residential schools, First Nation, Canada
Opening: The dark figure, backlit by the sun, filled the doorway of our home on Nipissing Reserve Number 10. “I’m here for the children,” the shadowy giant said, point a long finger at me. “You! How old?”
Synopsis: Eight-year-old Irene and her family live together on Nipissing First Nation, until the day a government agent arrives and takes Irene and her two brothers away to live at a residential school, far from home. Her parents have no choice, or they will sent to jail. As the kids are put in a car, her mother tells Irene, “Never forget home or our ways. Never forget who you are.”
At the residential school the girls and boys are separated. Sister Mary tells Irene that she is not to use her name and she is assigned a number. She is 759. Sister Mary cuts her long locks of hair and gives her a grey uniform to wear. Irene is confused, frightened and homesick. There are so many rules. When she speaks to another girl in her native language she is punished. Every day at the school is gloomy and filled with routines: prayers, breakfast, chores and studies. When summer break arrives, Irene and her brothers are sent home. When she shares how they have been treated with her parents, they vow never to send their children back to the residential school. Will they be able devise a plan to keep their children from returning? Where will the siblings go?
Why I like this book:
I am Not a Number is based on the true story of co-author Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis’ grandmother, Irene Couchie Dupuis, an Anishinaabe women who was born into a First Nation community in Northern Ontario. It is profound story that offers a penetrating look at how Indigenous children were taken away from their families and put into residential schools run by religious groups and forced to forget about their language, customs and heritage. It isn’t an easy subject to broach, but the story is told with sensitivity and the language is age-appropriate for children. The authors have written an important teaching tool for both Canadian and American children about this injustice. This happened to Dr. Dupuis’ grandmother in 1928 — not so long ago. Gillian Newland’s illustrations are beautiful and moving. Her tones are subdued and elicit a lot of emotion. Excellent collaboration among the authors and illustrator.
Resources: There is a special section at the end about the real-life Irene and her family with photos. There is information about the Residential Schools System with photos. This is an excellent book to teach children about the history of residential schools in the 1920s. A powerful look at Canadian history and First Nation children, this book would work well paired with When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton.
Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis is of Anishinaabe/Ojibway ancestry and a proud member of Nipissing First Nation. She is an educator, researcher, artist, and speaker who works full-time supporting the advancement of Indigenous education. Jenny’s interest in her family’s history drew her to co-write I am Not a Number.
Kathy Kacer is well-known for her children’s books about the Holocaust, including The Secret of Gabi’s Dresser and The Magician of Auschwitz.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Just last year I learned about the history of this happening in the US. An important subject! I will certainly look for this book for older children.
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This was the first time I heard about this history. The book is presented in a way that is appropriate for kids. I hope you read it. I’m going to review a MG novel, “The Mask that Sang,” on Monday that has an element of this subject in the story.
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A dark part of Canadian history and important to be told. It took courage for Dr. Dupuis to share this story and I´m so glad she did. There is no repairing the damage done at that time. Modern children should learn from it and what better way than through a book.
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I agree. It is a dark part of history that is important for both Canadian and American children to learn from. The book is written with sensitivity.
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Terrific. I have read some great middle grade novels on this topic and it is wonderful to see these stories shared with the picture book age,
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I was pleased to read this story, because I didn’t know the history. Am reviewing a MG novel “The Mask That Sang” on Monday that does touch on this subject.
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Such a powerful story that needed telling. I’m looking forward to reading this picture book. The illustrations look to be a perfect match.
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The text and illustrations really do compliment each other in this important story.
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Great subject, Pat!
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Thanks, Catherine! It is an important classroom book.
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This sounds like a heart-wrenching story. I agree that this story needs to be told. Thanks for sharing, Patricia!
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It is an astonishing story that I knew nothing about. It is a story that deserves to be told. I’m glad that there is a PB to introduce the subject to school children.
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Yet another good find Patricia! Although a painful and shameful history, I do believe these stories should be told. Definitely going to read this.
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Yes, I believe it is important that these stories should be told. I’m reviewing a MG book on Monday, “The Mask that Sang,” that addresses the subject from a different perspective.
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Wow! What a cover! I MUST find this one!
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Yes, the cover is very powerful. It is an important book.
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Wow! Difficult topic! Can’t wait to find this one!
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It is a difficult topic handled so beautifully by a granddaughter. Her grandmother’s story deserves a place in history.
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Thanks for sharing this,Patricia. I didn’t realise this situation occurred in Canada and the US. It is very similar to what happened here in Australia to our indigenous children and families, and sadly, not all that long ago. How inhumanely these families were treated. There is a wonderful but tragic, and also true story, of what happened to some of our children, also made into an powerful movie, “The Rabbit-Proof Fence”. At least one of the children, now an older woman, is still living and is interviewed at the end of the movie.
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It is an important topic for kids and adults to learn about. Thanking for sharing. I remember in the movie “Australia” where the indigenous boy is sent off. I hadn’t realized it was a residential school until now. Will have to look up the movie “The Rabi-t Proof Fence.” Thanks!
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That’s right. I’d forgotten about that scene in “Australia”. So many of the children were removed from their parents – so tragic for all concerned. It’s amazing how heartless people were, thinking they were doing good.
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I think this was a very familiar pattern of missionaries as they visited new areas. The Indigenous were considered “less than” and we had to make them like us. We saw it in Hawaii, Alaska, North America, Canada, Australia etc. Such a different time. Humanity was heartless and had a sense of superiority. So sad.
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Very sad. It’s a good thing that the times they are a’changing. But there’s still a long way to go.
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Yes, I agree!
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What an important topic for us all to learn more about. While I don’t believe anything like this is occurring in the world today, families are still being separated by war, economic hardship and natural disasters, and children are still forced to give up native languages and cultures to adapt to dominant cultures in which they find themselves. I’m sure this will be a great discussion starter in many classrooms and families. Thank you for sharing this book!
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Yes, you are right. There is a similarity among refugee children moving to new countries, learning new languages and adapting to our culture. Hopefully their parents can keep them grounded in their heritage.
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I had forgotten about this nasty bit of American history. This sounds like an important book, one that needs to be widely read. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
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It is an important topic that deserves to be read and studied in classrooms.
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Oh my gosh – the cover even is so sad. This is a part of our history that is not covered. Books like this are so important to know what happened.
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The cover says everything. Powerful and sensitive for kids. But important. Am reviewing a MG novel, The Mask That Sang,” today along the same lines, but yet very different.
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This sounds wonderful and yet horrible. Thank you for sharing an important book.
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But, it is history both Canadians and Americans share. Kids need to understand with books that are age appropriate.
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Thank you for this review! Another great children’s book on the same topic is Not My Girl by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. I am currently reading their book Fatty Legs.
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