The Shacklands - Sumach Press

b a c k l i s t

The Shacklands
by Judi Coburn

Shortlisted, Geoffrey Bilson Prize for Historical Fiction
for Young People

"Judi Coburn has done a magnificent job of bringing the plight of an immigrant family into an interesting and well documented work of historical fiction. The archival photographs of Toronto ... contribute immensely to the story line and the fascination of the book ... "

— Education Forum

"... strong characterization, vivid detail and varied plot lines will engage young readers. Teacher could use it ... when studying early Canadian social history."

— Books in Canada

The year is 1908. The Robertson family have left the slums of London, England, for a better life in Canada. Jessie dreams of becoming a teacher and taking part in the exciting events unfolding in the new century. But she must battle the prejudices of those around her, and tragedy soon strikes the family. Jessie finds herself confined to the drudgery of housework and then a factory job. But when the workers decide to strike, Jessie finds both a voice and a vision of a stronger, more confident self.

About the Author Judi Coburn grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her early involvement in the women's movement led to her contribution to Women at Work, the first history of women's work in Ontario. She teaches history and English at the high school level, and has written a history of the former City of York. Family roots in both Toronto and Paris, Ontario, provided rich resources for this first novel. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons.

The Shacklands

Categories
· Young Adult Fiction
· Historical Fiction

Readers 13 and over
B&W historical photos

288 pages
$10.95 Cdn
$10.95 US
5½" x 7½" paper
ISBN-10: 1-896764-13-4
ISBN-13: 978-1-896764-13-9

backlist
young adult