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CM . . .
. Volume X Number 5 . . . . October 31, 2003
In July, 1828, the Despatch, a ship filled with Irish immigrants bound for Quebec City, ran aground in heavy fog and fierce wind off the Newfoundland coast near the Isle aux Morts. Seventeen year old Ann Harvey, her father and twelve year old brother were instrumental in saving nearly all of the stranded passengers. This powerful historical fiction tale is told in three parts, by two voices, Ann Harvey and Seamus Ryan. Through Ann's free verse narratives, readers learn about the physically challenging and isolated life of her family on Isle aux Morts.
Evidence of yet another shipwreck off the coast sends Ann, her brother, her father and their faithful dog out into the fog and turbulent seas one July morning. They discover the wreck of the Despatch and the desperate Irish passengers. The Harvey family rescues 163 people, largely because of Ann's strength and courage at the oars of the rescue boat. In an historical note at the end of the book, Major explains how Ann's father gave the gold medal he received from the Royal Humane Society in London to his daughter and credited "her with being the person most responsible for this amazing feat." The story of the Harvey's heroism and the dramatic rescue is true. The story of the mutual attraction between Seamus, a rescued passenger from the Despatch, and Ann is fictitious. In part two of the novel, readers meet eighteen year old Seamus Ryan, and through his first person narratives, learn of his past and his future dreams in the new world.
The third part of the novel is narrated by Ann. Roles become reversed as Seamus wants to "rescue" Ann from life on Isle aux Morts. He asks her, "Must you stay in this place? Do you wish to the see the world?" He looks into her eyes and says, "Come away with me, Ann." Ann is attracted to Seamus and his offer of a new life, but she also loves her family and Newfoundland home. And thus,
Kevin Major's narrative verse draws readers into lives of Ann and Seamus. The writing is to be admired and savored. I reread most of the entries, both silently and orally, in appreciation of the craft of Major's writing. The retelling of the rescue of the Despatch is powerful and vivid. The blue and grey prints of award winning Canadian artist David Blackwood perfectly complement Major's captivating story. Highly Recommended. Sylvia Pantaleo teaches courses in language arts at the Faculty of Education, the University of Victoria, in Victoria, BC. Ann and Seamus was shortlisted for the 2003 Governor General’s Literary Award for English children’s text.
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