The Golden Rose

Dave Jenkinson is a professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba and the author of the “Portraits” section of Emergency Librarian.

Set in British Columbia in 1862, this novel focuses on the five members
of the Harris family, but particularly on Katherine, the youngest child.
As British immigrants steeped in old-world values, the family is ill
equipped to cope with the harsh, physically demanding realities of
frontier farming. Following the death of her beloved 17-year-old sister,
Katherine overhears her grieving mother lament, “How could you take my
Susan? ...My one, my perfect daughter.” Estranged from her family,
Katherine finds solace in her “conversations” with Susan’s spirit.


Middle-school readers will delight in Katherine’s spunkiness and her
willingness to confront the societally condoned sexism of the story’s
historical setting. Through William, a 17-year-old Native character,
Gaetz also touches on racism and the upheaval introduced into the lives
of the Aboriginal peoples. The action-filled plot, which ultimately
finds Katherine masquerading as a male, is brought to a positive,
believable conclusion. Recommended.