The Girl on Evangeline Beach

Sylvia Pantaleo is an assistant professor of education specializing in
children’s literature at Queen’s University. She is the co-author of
Learning with Literature in the Canadian Elementary Classroom.

Four years ago Michael Denshaw’s father was killed in a car accident.
Sixteen-year-old Michael and his mother are constantly arguing about his
growing lack of responsibility. Michael’s problems are compounded by
two thugs at school and by the ghost of an Acadian girl he saw during a
trip to Evangeline Beach. Marie, the Acadian ghost-girl, appears in
Michael’s dreams, calling for help.

One day, Michael is severely beaten by the two thugs and left
unconscious on a set of railroad tracks. When he awakens, he finds
himself traveling on a train back through time to 1755, just before the
British drove the Acadians—some of Canada’s first French
settlers—out of their homes around the Bay of Fundy, sending them to
Quebec, Georgia, Louisiana, and back to France. Michael learns from the
train conductor that his destiny is inextricably entwined with
Marie’s. The conductor explains, “There was a girl back in Acadia, a
lovely, innocent girl, who didn’t deserve to get hurt by those same
two thugs. ... If you save that girl and put an end to those two,
you’ll save yourself at the same time.” Michael is accepted by
Marie’s family and he learns a great deal about the lifestyle of the
Acadian people. He falls in love with Marie, but she marries a fellow
Acadian. While in the past, Michael must make many difficult decisions
to assist Marie, her family, and himself.

Anne Carter’s first novel combines history, fantasy, and adventure.
Through Michael’s time travel, readers learn much about one of the
great injustices in Canada’s social and political history. Readers
will be engaged by Carter’s deftly created historical context,
believable characters, and fast-paced plot. Recommended.