Gaawin Gindaaswin Ndaawsii / I Am Not A Number
A true and personal story of Canada's residential school past.
When eight-year-old Irene is removed from her First Nations family to live in a residential school she is confused, frightened, and terribly homesick. She tries to remember who she is and where she came from, despite the efforts of the nuns who are in charge at the school and who tell her that she is not to use her own name but instead use the number they have assigned to her. When she goes home for summer holidays, Irene's parents decide never to send her and her brothers away again. But where will they hide? And what will happen when her parents disobey the law?
Based on the life of co-author Jenny Kay Dupuis’ grandmother, I Am Not a Number is a hugely necessary book that brings a terrible part of Canada’s history to light in a way that children can learn from and relate to.
Written by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer | Illustrated by Gillian Newland
Translated by Muriel Sawyer and Geraldine McLeod with contributions by Tory Fisher
Ages 7-11
English and Anishinaabe Text
32 pages | Full-colour illustrations throughout
2016
Second Story Press was co-founded in 1988 by Margie Wolfe and three other women dedicated to publishing feminist-inspired books for adults and young readers. For 30 years Second Story Press has published books that matter, many of which have been translated into over 50 languages and have been sold around the world. Their list spans adult fiction and nonfiction; children’s fiction, nonfiction and picture books; and young adult fiction and nonfiction. Second Story Press continues to look for stories that feature strong female characters and explore themes of social justice, human rights, equality, and ability issues.
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 past and her commitment to teaching about Indigenous issues through literature drew her to co-write I am Not a Number, her first children’s book. She lives in Toronto.
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. Her books have won many awards, including the Silver Birch, the Red Maple, the Hackmatack, and the Jewish Book Award. A former psychologist, Kathy now travels the globe speaking to children and adults about her books. Kathy lives in Toronto with her family.
Gillian Newland is an artist who works mostly in watercolor, ink and pencils. She finds most of her inspiration to draw outside of her studio, and can sometimes be found sketching her fellow customers at a coffee shop. She is the illustrator of The Magician of Auschwitz and many other books. Gillian lives in Toronto.