When two children learn about their grandparents’ residential school experience, they find a way to support their journey toward healing and recovery — the third book in the Shi-shi-etko series.

Mariah, David and their grandparents set off for a day in the mountains, but Yayah seems sad. “Is it because of the news about your old school?” Mariah asks. The announcement of unmarked burials at the residential school opens a conversation about the grandparents’ experience there, and about Yayah’s brother, Shin-chi, who never came home from the school.

Moved by their grandparents’ stories, the children ask their aunt to help them prepare a feast of traditional foods for all the Elders who attended residential school. Through stories and ceremony, the community honors the children who did not survive. Song, dance and prayers break trail for a new dawn.

In this lyrical story, Nicola I. Campbell brings back the beloved character Shi-shi-etko, now a grandmother, who, with her grandchildren’s help, finds renewed courage to move forward with hope. Carrielynn Victor’s touching portrayal of the characters beautifully complements the story.

Includes a foreword, author’s note and glossary.

Key Text Features

author’s note

dialogue

foreword

glossary

historical context

illustrations

translations

Correlates to the Common Core States Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2

Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3

Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.3

Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events