If you read about the Orphan trains in the United States, you are familiar to a degree about what happens in this book. This book is about orphaned children in England who end up in the workhouses. The British Home Program, sent these children to Canada in the late 1800s to a new home. This program, like the Orphan Trains had great intentions, however, some of the "adoptive families" were more interested in free labour than having an adopted child.

In this book 10 year old Oliver (think Oliver Twist) and his younger brother Simon become orphans when their mother dies and they end up in the workhouse. When they are given the opportunity to go to Canada, Oliver thinks this is the answer to their prayers. Once in Canada they are separated—Simon going to a well-to-do family who wants a boy as they already had four girls, and Oliver going to a farm owned by the Pritchards. Mrs. Pritchard sees Oliver as a chance to be a mother, unfortunately, Mr. Pritchard is a mean man who rules the roost and those opportunities do not come very often. The winter in Canada was a rude awakening to Oliver who was not prepared mentally of with his clothing etc. Oliver is the victim of many abuses by the farmer, for example, he is not allowed in the house. It is a terrible existence for the young boy. The last chapter of the book wrapped up everything in a surprising way.

The historical information and the descriptions of life, climate and work in Canada at the time gives a lot of information. The descriptions are very well done. This would be a good book to use in intermediate classrooms to learn about the period as well as to see what these young people had to go through. A very worthwhile read to learn about this time and unfortunately about the way these youngsters were treated.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )