Make It Fair! (Canadian Flyer Adventures, #15). Frieda Wishinsky. Illustrated by Patricia Ann Lewis-MacDougall. Toronto, ON: Maple Tree Press, 2010. 81 pp., pbk. & hc., $7.95 (pbk.), $17.95 (hc.). ISBN 978-1-897349-99-1 (pbk.), ISBN 978-1-897349-98-4 (hc.). Subject Heading: McClung, Nellie L., 1873-1951-Juvenile fiction. Grades 2-4 / Ages 7-9. Review by Tanya Boudreau. **** /4 .

excerpt:

"Matt and I come from the future. See. That's a car from the twenty-first century. And I read about your mom in a book. She'll be famous for what she's doing to help women win rights.

" Florence's eyes widened. She bit her lip as if she were trying not to laugh. "How did you get here from the…future?" she asked.

"We flew on our magic sled.

" Florence burst into laughter. "Emily, you're wonderful."

"Wonderful?"

"You understand how worried I am about Mother, and you came up with a crazy story about the future. Imagine flying on a magic sled."

"I know it sounds crazy, Florence, but it's not a story.

It happened. I didn't make it up." "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but don't worry, Emily. I know it will be fine. Whatever happens, we all support Mother. What she's fighting for is important."

"But, Florence. It really is the truth. Matt and I are from the future."

Matt Martinez and Emily Bing are able to supplement their knowledge of Canadian history by going back in time and living it. When their magic red sleigh takes them on their fifteenth trip, they land in Winnipeg, MB, in the year 1914. Nellie McClung is at the Manitoba Legislature speaking about the importance of women's rights. While Matt and Emily listen from the gallery, they hear from Nellie's supporters as well as from her enemies. Words of praise are interrupted by disrespectful comments. Reporters need to be confronted, and Nellie's daughter needs to be calmed.

Matt and Emily meet many Canadian heroes when they visit the past, as they do when Nellie's daughter, Florence, introduces them to her mom. But before their magic sled signals them back to their home in Glenwood, they always help someone in need, too. In this story, Matt stops an attack on Nellie's son, Horace, and prevents two bullies from ruining Nellie's play at the Walker Theatre. Emily distributes flyers about women's rights and takes on the role of a page during Nellie's play. The detailed black and white illustrations seen throughout this book help immerse readers into a cold, eventful day in Winnipeg's past. The list of 20 facts at the end of the book gives readers insight into Nellie's younger years and Winnipeg's history. The "Canadian Flyer Adventures" series introduces children to Canadian's worth knowing. Frieda Wishinsky's books are great purchases because they make our history memorable to young readers.

Highly Recommended.

Tanya Boudreau is a librarian at the Cold Lake Public Library in Cold Lake, AB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.

Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

Hosted by the University of Manitoba.

 

NEXT REVIEW | TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - January 7, 2011.

AUTHORS | TITLES | MEDIA REVIEWS | PROFILES | BACK ISSUES | SEARCH | CMARCHIVE | HOME