I read the Dear Diary written to cover the Holocaust and while it too was tamed down, it was clear what was going on was horrific and traumatizing. Their food was sub-par, their hair was cut, they were forced to wear particular clothing, and I know that this book was written for children, but the horrific events seemed to be tamed down and certain aspects excluded all together. They are hit and slapped and treated terribly. Yes they weren't allowed to have anything, like paper dolls. Unfortunately, the power of the first entries did not carry through the whole book for me. For example, Violet is given a number, #75. The first couple of entries were probably the most powerful of the whole book, showing how Indigenous children like Violet were treated when they first arrived at the residential school. Children were often abused, physically, mentally, sexually. They stripped them of their names if they were not 'proper' names and often gave them number. They forbid them from speaking their language, practice their ways, perform their ceremonies and activities. They aimed to drain children in every possible way, mentally, emotionally, and physically. It was a horrible and disgusting thing to do and worst of all, they went for the most vulnerable because they were the most impressionable. Residential schools were created to destroy Indigenous culture and force the people to conform. She tells you that she's angry, but you don't really feel what she's feeling, you sort of are told.if that makes any sense to anyone.

Maybe it's because I'm reading Dear Canada: Exiles form the War and I find Charlotte much more convincing emotionally. While I the idea of a diary covering this topic, the story fell a bit short for me due to Violet's rather flat characterization. This book tells the story of 12 year old Violet (Pynut) and her experience at a residential school. Dear Canada series continues to bring history to life for children with These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack.

These Are My Words by Ruby Slipperjack