Sarah and the People of Sand River

Barbara M. Buetter conducts creative-writing workshops for children and
is the author of Simple Puppets from Everyday Materials.

Set in the late 1800s and inspired by actual events, this book tells the
story of 12-year-old Sarah, raised on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.

When Sarah’s Icelandic grandparents immigrated to Canada, the Cree
Indians of Sand River helped them to survive the harsh winter. They, in
return, helped a Cree family dying of smallpox. The dying woman gave
Sarah’s grandmother a pendant, telling her “If any of my people see
it, they will know you are a friend.” This pendant, passed on to Sarah
after her mother’s death, helps her in the difficult times ahead.

Sarah is sent to live in Winnipeg, to go to school and to learn to
speak English. There, she is abused and treated like a slave. A
mysterious raven brings Sarah good fortune and a Native man and woman,
recognizing her Cree pendant, help her to endure the cruel conditions.
In the end, it is Sarah’s courage and determination that give her the
strength to survive.

Pencil, watercolor, and gouache illustrations are well suited to this
magical tale of a young girl’s suffering and her encounters with the
spirit world. Sarah and the People of Sand River will capture the
imaginations of children and adults alike. Recommended.